_Arnaldo._ Their hearts are walls Unto the brave.... And they shall rise again, The walls that blood of freemen has baptized, But among slaves their ruins are eternal. _People._ You outrage us, sir! _Arnaldo._ Wherefore do ye tremble Before the trumpet sounds? O thou that wast Once the world's lord and first in Italy, Wilt thou be now the last? _People._ No more! Cease, or thou diest! Arnaldo, having roused the pride of the Romans, now tells them that two thousand Swiss have followed him from his exile; and the act closes with some lyrical passages leading to the fraternization of the people with these. The second act of this curious tragedy, where there may be said to be scarcely any personal interest, but where we are aware of such an impassioned treatment of public interests as perhaps never was before, opens with a scene between the Pope Adrian and the Cardinal Guido. The character of both is finely studied by the poet; and Guido, the type of ecclesiastical submission, has not more faith in the sacredness and righteousness of Adrian, than Adrian, the type of ecclesiastical ambition, has in himself. The Pope tells Guido that he stands doubting between the cities of Lombardy leagued against Frederick, and Frederick, who is coming to Rome, not so much to befriend the papacy as to place himself in a better attitude to crush the Lombards. The German dreams of the restoration of Charlemagne's empire; he believes the Church corrupt; and he and Arnaldo would be friends, if it were not for Arnaldo's vain hope of reëstablishing the republican liberties of Rome. The Pope utters his ardent desire to bring Arnaldo back to his allegiance; and when Guido reminds him that Arnaldo has been condemned by a council of the Church, and that it is scarcely in his power to restore him, Adrian turns upon him: What sayest thou? I can do all. Dare the audacious members Rebel against the head? Within these hands Lie not the keys that once were given to Peter? The heavens repeat as 't were the word of God, My word that here has power to loose and bind. Arnaldo did not dare so much. The kingdom Of earth alone he did deny me. Thou Art more outside the Church than he. _Guido_ (_kneeling at Adrian's feet_). O God, I erred; forgive! I rise not from thy feet Till thou absolve me. My zeal blinded me. I'm clay before thee; shape me as thou wilt, A vessel apt to glory or to shame. Guido then withdraws at the Pope's bidding, in order to send a messenger to Arnaldo, and Adrian utters this fine soliloquy: