Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1858-10-20

| lalnlly ol Coionna appears, surrounded Oy Ill
followers and bent upon the same dishonourabl
design against Irene. They pass angry words
draw swords and come to blows. The people
hearing the tumult, rush in masses to the spot
bearing torches and weapons. Irene in the hope
of finding her brother amid the crowd, leap
from the window, but is seized before she cal
escape by Or>ini. She is in turn wrested from
OrSni by the people Of Colonna. The affray
becomes bloody, the night grows hideous witt
the din, and above all re-ecllo the piercing
screams Of Irene who calls, Rienz, Rienzi
save me-" The pope's legate, Raimondo, in his
pontilical robes, draws near and attempts tc
still the contest in the name of the Church
the lawless mobiles laugh him to scorn and cal
him dotard. Irene is again seized by Orsin
who as lie is about to escape with her, is met
by Adrano di Colonna, son of Colonna, noble
youth of twenty, secretly in love with Irene
he rescues her, and upbraids both parties, lis
father among them, with their perlidy. AT
this juncture Rienzi lastens in, he is greeted
by the populace with camorouS cheers and in
formed of the dastardly attempt of the two
mobiles. Upon this he steps forth and denounces
them with burning indignation, reproaching
them as authors Of the downfall Of Rome, up
braiding them with their degeneracy, compar-
ing the past glory Of Rome with her present
degradation, lamcnting the fact that even the
pontfr has been obliged to fly from Rome and
fix the holy see at Avignon TINT pious pilgrims
no longer dare seek the shrine Of st. Peter,
that tue wines and daughters of the citizens
are dishonored by the unprincipled mobiles,
whose castles are turned into robbers dens and
whose every deed is a crime. He addresses the
people in eloquent. and stirring words, cxhort-
ing them to free themselves from the oppres-
sion Of thee degenerate sons of Rome. They
hail him as their guardian and protector and
promise to follow him even to death. The no
bleS ridiculc him, scorn him as low horn pie
beian and declare their designs upon Irene quite
an honor towards plebcian maiden. Orsini
and Colonna retire witloat the city gates, there
to end their combat. The throns diSpcrscs,
leaving Ricnzi, Irene and Adriano alone. Irene
points to lAdriano as her deliyerer, Rienzi IS
to tbink hat a. GoloRRa=eo
shield plebcian maiden. lie returns Linn his
thanks and conjures him by the example Of lis
forefathcrs to Join lin in the noble CAUSE of
lifting up Rome out of her ignominy. Adriano
has lofty and virtuous aspirations, but sirinkS
from cause, which can succeed only at the
cost Of his fathers blood. Rienzi cXclalns;
s Woe that thou remindeSt me Of blood" and
relates how his young and innocent brother,
while plating wreaths for Irene by the brook
side, was pitilcssly slain by Colonna, that he
dipped his hand in the blood which welled from
the heart OF the STRIPPING and swore an oath:
'Woe to him who has given me kindred blood
TO avense!'
The young Adriano is covered with horror
and replies Rienzi, thou art fearful What
must do to attone for this bloody misdecd of
my "knsman 2" Rienzi: I" Be mine, be Ro-
man !" Adrano: "Then let me be Roman" !"
The three now sing song Of hope and joy,
after which Rienzi goes into the Lateran to
pray for the success of lns high and holy under
taking, leaving Irene to tue care of .Adriano.
Being left alone, they tell their love in glowing
language and exchange VOWS of eternal truth
and devotion. A chorus is now heard in the
I.ateran which calls upon the people of Rome
to rally for the cause of freedom! "Awake
ye slcepcrs." Thereupon the doors of the sa-
cred edifce are thrown open and Rienzi, follow
ed by multtudcs Of citizens, frars and nuns,
steps into the open street, he is joined by Irene
and Adriano and Is again salutcd as delivcrer
and protector of Rome.
The curtain rises upon the second act, dis
closing u suit Of kingly halls with the seven
hills, the castle of ST. Angelo and the Tibcf seen
through the open windows; the building is
surrounded on all sides by all enthusiastic null
titudc. Rienzi, in the proud robes Of the Tri-
bune, now enters, leading Irene, who is clad rs
becomes the sister OF the Tribune in their train
come the mobiles and dignitarics of Rome. and
last Of all, the "messengcrs of peace" who have
travelled throughout the land to announce to
the people peace and the restoration of the glo-
ry of Rome. They relate to Rienzi in noble
strains the blessed and happy condition of the
laml which he has redeemed ION shamcd bon
tlase. sThs noble Roman" now kneels before
the mass and addresses fervent thanks to God,
through whose might and under whose guidance
he has been enabled to work this happy change.
lie rises and after bidding the mobiles to y feast
in honor of the foreign ambassadors, to be held
in the same halls on the same evening, retires,
accompanied by Irene. Orsini, Colonna and the
rest of the mobiles, srazed with envy, hatred and
humiliation, now "furiously rage together" and
form llot to assassinate Rienzi in the course
Of the coming feast. He is to fall by Orslnl's
hand After this they dispesc. The hour be-
ing at hand for the reception OF tho ambassa-
'dors, the halls, splendidly illuminated, arc
thrown open, and Rienzi, with Irene at lis side
and followed by the senator's, priests, iiobles
lctors and guards, enters and takes his seat
uDon tue chair Of state. Tie ambassadors o.
the Italian and German princes now enter, cacl
preceded by four pages bearing his credentials
and followed by a numerous retinuc. The Tri
bunc receives them with majesty and grace, ant
each, after presenting his credentials retrcs tc
n scat of honor prepared for him. Now fol
lows respendent ballet and contest of gladia
tors. AS this is about ending and while th'