Know me for Walter de Montreal; is it not a name that speaks a spirit kindred to thine own?
Is not ambition a common sentiment between us?
I do not marshal soldiers for gain only, though men have termed me avaricious--nor butcher peasants for the love of blood, though men have called me cruel.

Arms and wealth are the sinews of power; it is power that I desire;--thou, bold Rienzi, strugglest thou not for the same?
Is it the rank breath of the garlic-chewing mob--is it the whispered envy of schoolmen--is it the hollow mouthing of boys who call thee patriot and freeman, words to trick the ear--that will content thee?
These are but thy instruments to power.

Have I spoken truly ?" Whatever distaste Rienzi might conceive at this speech he masked effectually.

"Certes," said he, "it would be in vain, renowned Captain, to deny that I seek but that power of which thou speakest.

But what union can there be between the ambition of a Roman citizen and the leader of paid armies that take their cause only according to their hire--today, fight for liberty in Florence--tomorrow, for tyranny in Bologna?
Pardon my frankness; for in this age that is deemed no disgrace which I impute to thy armies.