*** start of the project gutenberg ebook 1396 *** rienzi, the last of the roman tribunes by sir edward bulwer lytton, bart. then turn we to her latest tribunes name, from her ten thousand tyrants turn to thee, redeemer of dark centuries of shame-- the friend of petrarch--hope of italy-- rienzi, last of romans! while the tree of freedoms witherd trunk puts forth a leaf, even for thy tomb a garland let it be-- the forums champion, and the peoples chie...