The Life and Times of Rienzi (Classic Reprint)

Excerpt from The Life and Times of Rienzi

The scenes which passed at Rome within the space of seven years, from 1347 to 1354, and which drew the at tention of all Europe, formed by their continuity a sort of tragi-comedy so singular, as wasqnever acted on the theatre of the world none ever came up to it either in regard to its causes and courses, its circumstances and plot, or its suc cess and discovery. Conspiracies bear in general an exact resemblance in history every where the same f01°1ndation every where the same passions, the same springs, and the same artifices there IS a still more perfect resemblance to be found 111 particular actions all appear framed upon the same model. Boldness, ambition, andanalecontent first oc casion enterprises; rage and interest bind them; secrecy and activity conduct them; and circumstances joined to measures, well or ill undertaken, generally cause them to succeed or miscarry. The many revolutions occasioned by them are brought about underhand and gradually; it must be a work of time to undermine the foundation of lawful authority: at length, when an infinity of causes, almost unperceivable, hath brought this authority 'either to the brink of subversion, or to a more firm establishment, it is neces sary that every enterprise of this nature be carried on with a coherence agreeable to the respective parts of the actors.

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