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

at RlenZl'S neart. III Is unsuccessful, however
/ and as Orsini shrnks back dismayed, Ricnz
rises with dignity, draws aside his robe and dis
| closes upon his bosom shirt Of mail, saying t.
the covering mobiles, with bitter irony: sSee
, how steel my breast against your love-" The
people are horror stricken and enraged, they
clamor and cry out: Death to the traitors p
The senator's Immediately pronounce upon the
two mobiles, Orsini and Colonna, the doom
awarded to treason, perjury and assassination
death by the axe. This is the law and can be
opposed by none. Ricnzi gives orders that they
be prepared for death, and then desires to he
left alone. He debates with himself and seems
overcome with pain, saying sadly: "My poor
brother, not through me but through the law Of
Rome itself art thou avenged" Adriano, who
was not present at the feast, but who has heard
his fathers doom, now breaks through tie
closed DOORS throws himself at Rienzi's feet and
implorcs mercy for lis father. Rienzi is ineXo-
rable-life to the traitors were death TO Rome.
Irene in the meantime joins Ler cntrcatics to
those of Adriano. Pity has long been struggling
with SENSE Of duty in the mind Of the noble
man, and melted by the prayers Of the Two
young beings at lis feet, he promises to appeal
to the people'in behalf Of the conspirators. For
this purpose, the populacc is re-asscmbled and
Rienzi begs Of them grace for the duomcd men.
They spurn the thought and cry more fierccly
than before for vengeance. Rienzi says to them
aye Romans! Cherish peace and pity, avoid
blood and be merciful. I who have made you
great and free, cntreat you, the Tribune"
The people cannot resist the supplcation OF their
beloved chief and the mobiles, after again swear
ing fidelity TO the state and law, receive pardon
through the mediation Of Linn they had sought
to murder. Adriano and Irene again sing Il
song Of hore and joy,
As the curtain rises upon the third act, Rienzi
ride; through public square, he is mounted
upon coal black charger and clad in complete
arlnor. Behind him throng masses Of people,
They 60 to witness the death of Culonna and
Orsini, who have again been iaithless TO their
osth and arc now to die. Again appears Adriano
us supphant for lis fathers life. lie breaks
through the crowd, seizcs the reills Of Rienzi's
rearing charger and knccling upon tie earth,
conjures the Tribune by every human feeling to
spare his father. Ricnz replies: "Thou ravest
10y, arise and let destiny take its course"
Adriano stands proudly and sa,a.. bitterly :
alludng to Rienz's death: Woe to Lin who
gives mckiudrcd blood 70 avenge" Renzi and
the people disappear in the distance, the latter
singing the war-cry Of licnzi, translated ont of
Bulwcr's romance
The fourth act opens with dark rloItings and
murmurings among the people. Both Church
and people have become jealous Of leienzi's
power, and both, forgetlul Of all they owe him,
seek only lis overthrow. 1t is night, and a
knot Of malcontcnts are grouped together in
front Of the Sateran, they murnur and threaten
fiercely. This is during religious festival, and
in few minutes Rcrzi is to enter the Lateran
at the head Of the mobiles, clergy and senator's.
Baruncelli, a prominent man among the plebe-
ian$, dcnounces Rienzi to his companions us an
ambitious lyrant, seeking only his own asgran-
lizemcnt, mputes lis former mercy to Colonna
and Orsini not TO humanity, but desire 10
conciliate tue patricians and, by the marriage
Of Adriano and Irene to ally himself with them.
The people demand witness. Suddenly lig-
ure wrapped in dark cloak stands before them,
saying: 81 am Witness lie spoke truly"
"And who art thou?" they demand Of this
person. "Colonna's SON" cries Adriano as he
throws off lis cloak, "Colonna's son, whose
father cries to him and to you out of the bloody
grave for vengeance, vengeance upon the tyrant
who has slain him and betrayed you. The pro-
ccssion approaches stand by me and with my
own hand will strike the monster dead" The
kinsly procession nuw comes into full view with
Rienzi and Irene at its head. As Ricnzi places
his foot upon tue step Of the temple, the first
notes of Il re Deum arc heard from within.
The tones are horrible and supernatural, they
seem TO proceed from the grave. The Tribune
and his sister draw back appalled,. The people
tremble and sink upon their knees, eXclaiming:
"IIurror seizcs upon us, God deserts U.s." The
scene is fearful. Renzi RECEIVERS himself how
ever and ascends the steps; as lie reaches the
last, the Soors are flung wide and Raimondo
the legatc, surrounded by crowded monks, ap-
pears upon the threshold and lurls the curses
and anathemas Of the Church upon the devoted
head of the Tribune. The people fly in all 1i-
rections Irene sinks scnSeleSS upon the cold
stones Ricnzi, pctritiel with horror, stands as
if changed into stone. The torch bearers having
tled darkness covers the scene.
In the commencement of the last act, Renzi
is kneeling alone in the Capitol What sub
lime prayer is that! Beginning: "Amghty
God and Father, hear me, in dust before thee
knccling." As he finishes this prayer, Irene
enters, clad in black, and throws her arms
round him. He rises and placing her before
him, contemplatcs her with love and admiration,
saying: The Church deserts me, to whose glory
began this work the people desert Inc, to
whom gave the name of irccmen; the falcc
friends of my prosperity desert me; two alone
remain faithful to me, Heaven and my sister" )"
Irene, her face beaming with heroism and dcvo'
ton, cries proudly: "Rienzi, have I becn>true
to thv lessons, have I shown myself strong
have proved me Roman?' lie clasps hcI
to his bosom, cxclaming in triumph: "ln tho
heart Of this tender virgin Rome yet lives
Hasty footsteps arc now heard and Atlriano