Behold this broad plate of iron; upon it is graven an inscription but lately disinterred from the heaps of stone and ruin, which--O shame to Rome!--were once the palaces of empire, and the arches of triumphant power.

The device in the centre of the table, which you behold, conveys the act of the Roman Senators,--who are conferring upon Vespasian the imperial authority.

It is this inscription which I have invited you to hear read! It specifies the very terms and limits of the authority thus conferred.

To the Emperor was confided the power of making laws and alliances with whatsoever nation,--of increasing, or of diminishing the limits of towns and districts,--of--mark this, my Lords!--exalting men to the rank of dukes and kings,--ay, and of deposing and degrading them;--of making cities, and of unmaking: in short, of all the attributes of imperial power.
Yes, to that Emperor was confided this vast authority; but, by whom?
Heed--listen, I pray you--let not a word be lost;--by whom, I say?
By the Roman Senate! What was the Roman Senate?
The Representative of the Roman People!" "I knew he would come to that!" said the smith, who stood at the door with his fellows, but to whose ear, clear and distinct, rolled the silver voice of Rienzi.
"Brave fellow! and this, too, in the hearing of the Lords!" "Ay, you see what the people were! and we should never have known this but for him." "Peace, fellows;" said the officer to those of the crowd, from whom came these whispered sentences.
Rienzi continued.--"Yes, it is the people who intrusted this power--to the people, therefore, it belongs! Did the haughty Emperor arrogate the crown?
Could he assume the authority of himself?
Was it born with him?
Did he derive it, my Lord Barons, from the possession of towered castles--of lofty lineage?
No! all-powerful as he was, he had no right to one atom of that power, save from the voice and trust of the Roman people.

Such, O my countrymen! such was even that day, when Liberty was but the shadow of her former self,--such was the acknowledged prerogative of your fathers! All power was the gift of the people.