He never spoke as one who doubted of success.

Perhaps, like most men who undertake high and great actions, he himself was never thoroughly aware of the obstacles in his way.

He saw the end, bright and clear, and overleaped, in the vision of his soul, the crosses and the length of the path; thus the deep convictions of his own mind stamped themselves irresistibly upon others.

He seemed less to promise than to prophesy.
The Bishop of Orvietto, not over wise, yet a man of cool temperament and much worldly experience, was forcibly impressed by the energy of his companion; perhaps, indeed, the more so, inasmuch as his own pride and his own passions were also enlisted against the arrogance and licence of the nobles.

He paused ere he replied to Rienzi.
"But is it," he asked, at length, "only the plebeians who will rise?
Thou knowest how they are caitiff and uncertain." "My Lord," answered Rienzi, "judge, by one fact, how strongly I am surrounded by friends of no common class: thou knowest how loudly I speak against the nobles--I cite them by their name--I beard the Savelli, the Orsini, the Colonna, in their very hearing.