The herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1835-1837, 1836-03-09
THE DEATH OF RIENZI.
BY z. L. BULMER.

~Meanwh the flames burned fierce and fast; the
outer door below was already consumed; from the
apartment he had deserted the FIRE burst our in volleys
Of smoke-the weed cracked-the lead melted-with a
crash fell the several gates the dreadful ngress was
opened the mullitude-the proud Capitol of the
CasarS was already totiering TO its fal!l Now was
the time he passed the flaming door-the smoulderng
threshold, he passed the outer gate unscratched; he
was in the middle OF the crowd. Plenty of pilIage
within, said be 10 the bysanders said be in the Roman
patos, his face concealed by his load; Suso suso
gliu raditorep The mob rushed past him he went on
he gained the last stair descending into the open street,
he was al the last gale; liberty and life before
him.
"A soldier Zone of his own seized him pass not
where gOest thou p
Beware, lest the Senator escape disguised" cried
voice behind-iI Villains. The concealing load
was torn from his head-Rienzi stood revealed.
a. am the senator = he said in loud voice. Who
dare t-uch the representative OF the people ~
"The multitude were around him in an instant Not
led, but rather hurried and whirled aong-the senator
borne to the Place of the Lion. With the intense
glare Of the bursting flames, the gray image reflected
lHrid light and glowed-thar grim and solemn monu-
ment!-as if itself of fire.
There arrived, the crowd gave way terrified bv the
greatness of their victim Silent he stood, and turned
his face around; could the squaor of his garb nor
the terror of the hour the proud grief of detection
abae the majesty Of men, re-assure the courage of
the thousands who gathered. gazing round him. The
whole capitol wrapped in fire. lighted with CHASTITY
pOmp the immense multitude. Down the vista of the
ul the crowd closed with the cleaning standards ofhe
Colonna-lhe Orsosi-the SaveL. Her true tyrants
marching into Rome As the sound of their an
preaching horus and rumpets broke upon the burning
air, The mob seemed TO regain their courage Rienzi
prepared TO speak his first word was as the signal of
his death.
Die, tyrant!" cried Cecco del Vecchio. and he
plunged bis dagger into the senator's breast.
Die, executioner Of Montreall' muttered William
hus the trust Is ful6ledr and his was the second
strOks Then hs drew back and saw the artisan in
all the drunken fury of his brute passion tossing up his
cap, shouting aloud, and spurning the fallen lion the
Young man gazed upon him with look of whitening
and bitter seo and sai he sheathed his blade aud
slowly turned to quit the crowd
Fool, miserable fool thou and these at least had no
blood of kindred to avenger'
"They needed not his words, they saw him not de-
part for as RenZi, without word, without groan, fell
10 the eartll-as the roaring of the multitude
closed over hiu-a voice shTill sharp and Wild was
heard above all the eamor AT the of the pa
lace, the easement of her bridal chamber Nina stood
through the flames, that burst below and around her
face and outsireched arms alone visible Ere vet the
sound OF that thrilling cry passed from the air. down
with mighty crash Numbered that whole wing of the
capitol, blsckened and smoudering mass"