Thou knowest that to govern in safety, it is my policy as my pride to govern justly.
To govern justly is an awful thing, when mighty barons are the culprits.
Nina, for an open and audacious robbery, our court has sentenced Martin of the Orsini, the Lord of Porto, to death.

His corpse swings now on the Staircase of the Lion." "A dreadful doom!" said Nina, shuddering.
"True; but by his death thousands of poor and honest men may live in peace.

It is not that which troubles me: the Barons resent the deed, as an insult to them that law should touch a noble.

They will rise--they will rebel.

I foresee the storm--not the spell to allay it." Nina paused a moment,--"They have taken," she then said, "a solemn oath on the Eucharist not to bear arms against thee." "Perjury is a light addition to theft and murder," answered Rienzi, with his sarcastic smile.
"But the people are faithful." "Yes, but in a civil war (which the saints forefend!) those combatants are the stanchest who have no home but their armour, no calling but the sword.