Nephew to two Cardinals, what enmity will not this provoke at Avignon ?" "Vex not yourself, holy Raimond, I will answer it to the Pontiff." While they spoke the bell tolled heavily and loudly.
Colonna started.
"Great Tribune," said he, with a slight sneer, "deign to pause ere it be too late.

I know not that I ever before bent to you a suppliant; and I ask you now to spare mine own foe.

Stephen Colonna prays Cola di Rienzi to spare the life of an Orsini." "I understand thy taunt, old Lord," said Rienzi, calmly, "but I resent it not.

You are foe to the Orsini, yet you plead for him--it sounds generous; but hark you,--you are more a friend to your order than a foe to your rival.

You cannot bear that one, great enough to have contended with you, should perish like a thief.