Petrarch had hitherto regarded the reports of Rienzo's errors as highly exaggerated by his enemies; but the truth of them, at last, became too palpable; though our poet's charitable opinion of the Tribune considerably outlasted that of the public at large.
When the papal court heard of the multiplied extravagances of Rienzo, they recovered a little from the panic which had seized them.

They saw that they had to deal with a man whose head was turned.

His summonses had enraged them; and they resolved to keep no measures with him.
Towards the end of August, 1347, one of his couriers arrived without arms, and with only the symbol of his office, the silver rod, in his hand.

He was arrested near Avignon; his letters were taken from him and torn to pieces; and, without being permitted to enter Avignon, he was sent back to Rome with threats and ignominy.

This proceeding appeared atrocious in the eyes of Petrarch, and he wrote a letter to Rienzo on the subject, expressing his strongest indignation at the act of outrage.
[Illustration: COAST OF GENOA.] Petrarch passed almost the whole of the month of September, 1347, at Avignon.