well as they did some three weeks back?"

"I say not so," answered Cecco. "But we Romans are an impatient people."

"Alas, yes!"

"However, they will no doubt stick close enough to you; provided,
Tribune, you don't put any new tax upon them."

"Ha! But if, in order to be free, it be necessary to fight--if to
fight, it be necessary to have soldiers, why then the soldiers must be
paid:--won't the people contribute something to their own liberties;--to
just laws, and safe lives?"

"I don't know," returned the smith, scratching his head as if a little
puzzled; "but I know that poor men won't be overtaxed. They say they are
better off with you than with the Barons before, and therefore they love
you. But men in business, Tribune, poor men with families, must look to
their bellies. Only one man in ten goes to law--only one man in twenty
is butchered by a Baron's brigand; but every man eats, and drinks, and
feels a tax."

"This cannot be your reasoning, Cecco!" said Rienzi, gravely.

"Why, Tribune, I am an honest man, but I have a large family to rear."

"Enough; enough!" said the Tribune quickly; and then he added
abstractedly as to himself, but aloud,--"Methinks we have been too
lavish; these shows and spectacles should cease."