However this be, it was at Avignon that Petrarch and Rienzi became most intimate, as Petrarch himself observes in one of his letters.) to supplicate Clement VI.

to remove the Holy See from Avignon to Rome.

It was in this mission that, for the first time, he evinced his extraordinary powers of eloquence and persuasion.

The pontiff, indeed, more desirous of ease than glory, was not convinced by the arguments, but he was enchanted with the pleader; and Rienzi returned to Rome, loaded with honours, and clothed with the dignity of high and responsible office.

No longer the inactive scholar, the gay companion, he rose at once to pre-eminence above all his fellow-citizens.