THE DECLINE AND FALL

344

CHAP.

LXX.

first of the nobility from their Impending doom.Their apparent boldness was prompted by de-spair; they passed in separate chambers a sleep-less and painful night; and the venerable hero,Stephen Colonna, striking against the door ofhis prison, repeatedly urged his guards to deli-ver him, by a speedy death, from such ignomi-nious servitude. In the morning they under-stood their sentence from the visit of a confessorand the tolling of the bell. The great hall ofthe capitol had been decorated for the bloodyscene with red and white hangings; the coun-tenance of the tribune was dark and severe; theswords of the executioners were unsheathed;and the barons were interrupted in their dyingspeeches by the sound of trumpets. But in thisdecisive moment, Rienzi was not less anxious orapprehensive than his captives; he dreaded thesplendour of their names, their surviving kins-men, the inconstancy of the people, the re-proaches of the world; and, after rashly offer-ing a mortal injury, he vainly presumed that, ifhe could forgive, he might himself be forgiven.His elaborate oration was that of a Christian anda suppliant; and, as the humble minister of thecommons, he entreated his masters to pardonthese noble criminals, for whose repentance andfuture service he pledged his faith and autho-rity. “ If you are spared,” said the tribune,“ by the mercy of the Romans, will you not“ promise to support the good estate with your“ lives and fortunes?” Astonished by this mar-vellous clemency, the barons bowed their heads;