So help me our Lord and his saints." "I am content!--Donner und Hagel, I have lived long enough to care only for my own life, and the great captain's next to it;--for the rest, I reck not if ye southerns cut each other's throats, and make all Italy one grave." With this benevolent speech, Rodolf entered the closet; but ere Rienzi could close the door, he stepped forth again-- "Hold," said he: "this blood flows fast.

Help me to bandage it, or I shall bleed to death ere my confession." "Per fede," said the Tribune, his strange humour enjoying the man's cool audacity; "but, considering the service thou wouldst have rendered me, thou art the most pleasant, forbearing, unabashed, good fellow, I have seen this many a year.

Give us thine own belt.

I little thought my first eve of knighthood would have been so charitably spent!" "Methinks these robes would make a better bandage," said Rodolf, pointing to the priests' gear suspended from the wall.
"Silence, knave," said the Tribune, frowning; "no sacrilege! Yet, as thou takest such dainty care of thyself, thou shalt have mine own scarf to accommodate thee." With that the Tribune, placing his dagger on the ground, while he cautiously guarded it with his foot, bound up the wounded limb, for which condescension Rodolf gave him short thanks; resumed his weapon and lamp; closed the door; drew over it the long, heavy bolt without, and returned to his couch, deeply and indignantly musing over the treason he had so fortunately escaped.
At the first grey streak of dawn he went out of the great door of the church, called the sentry, who was one of his own guard, and bade him privately, and now ere the world was astir, convey the prisoner to one of the private dungeons of the Capitol.

"Be silent," said he: "utter not a word of this to any one; be obedient, and thou shalt be promoted.