midnight
and clapping his hands , the chain round him clanked harshly , and the noisome co-mates of his dungeon vanished in an instant . That singular and eccentric humour which marked Rienzi , and which had seemed a buffoonery to the stolid sullenness of the Roman nobles , still retained its old expression in his countenance , and he laughed loud as he saw the vermin hurry back to their hiding-place . `` A little noise and the clank of a chain -- fie , how ye imitate mankind ! '' Again he sank into silence , and then heavily and listlessly drawing towards him the animated tales of Livy , said , `` An hour to midnight ! -- waking dreams are better than sleep . Well , history tells us how men have risen -- ay , and nations too -- after sadder falls than that of Rienzi or of Rome ! '' In a few minutes , he was apparently absorbed in the lecture ; so intent indeed , was he in the task , that he did not hear the steps which wound the spiral stairs that conducted to his cell , and it was not till the wards harshly grated beneath the huge key , and the door creaked on its hinges , that Rienzi , in amaze at intrusion at so unwonted an hour , lifted his eyes .