old Colonna--for shame; so near the grave, where the worm levels
all flesh, and preaching, with those gray hairs, the uncharitable
distinction between man and man. Is there not distinction enough at the
best? Does not one wear purple, and the other rags? Hath not one ease,
and the other toil? Doth not the one banquet while the other starves?
Do I nourish any mad scheme to level the ranks which society renders
a necessary evil? No. I war no more with Dives than with Lazarus. But
before Man's judgment-seat, as before God's, Lazarus and Dives are made
equal. No more."

Colonna drew his robe round him with great haughtiness, and bit his lip
in silence. Raimond interposed.

"All this is true, Tribune. But," and he drew Rienzi aside, "you know
we must be politic as well as just. Nephew to two Cardinals, what enmity
will not this provoke at Avignon?"

"Vex not yourself, holy Raimond, I will answer it to the Pontiff." While
they spoke the bell tolled heavily and loudly.

Colonna started.

"Great Tribune," said he, with a slight sneer, "deign to pause ere it be
too late. I know not that I ever before bent to you a suppliant; and I
ask you now to spare mine own foe. Stephen Colonna prays Cola di Rienzi
to spare the life of an Orsini."

"I understand thy taunt, old Lord," said Rienzi, calmly, "but I resent
it not. You are foe to the Orsini, yet you plead for him--it sounds
generous; but hark you,--you are more a friend to your order than a foe