Wilhelm Tell [21]
awe the mountain child. [Having finished his work, he lays aside his tools.] And now, methinks, the door will hold awhile, Axe in the house oft saves the carpenter. [Takes his cap.] HEDW. Whither away? TELL. To Altdorf, to your father. HEDW. You have some dangerous enterprise in view? Confess! TELL. Why think you so? HEDW. Some scheme's on foot Against the governors. There was a Diet Held on the Rootli--that I know--and you Are one of the confederacy, I'm sure. TELL. I was not there. Yet will I not hold back, Whene'er my country calls me to her aid. HEDW. Wherever danger is, will you be placed. On you, as ever, will the burden fall. TELL. Each man shall have the post that fits his powers. HEDW. You took--ay, 'mid the thickest of the storm The man of Unterwald across the lake. 'Tis marvel you escaped. Had you no thought Of wife and children, then? TELL. Dear wife, I had; And therefore saved the father for his children. HEDW. To brave the lake in all its wrath! 'Twas not To put your trust in God! 'Twas tempting Him. TELL. Little will he that's over cautious do. HEDW. Yes, you've a kind and helping hand for all; But be in straits, and who will lend you aid? TELL. God grant I ne'er may stand in need of it! [Takes up his cross-bow and arrows.] HEDW. Why take your cross-bow with you? leave it here. TELL. I want my right hand, when I want my bow. [The boys return.] WALT. Where, father, are you going? TELL. To grand-dad, boy-- To Altdorf. Will you go? WALT. Ay, that I will! HEDW. The Viceroy's there just now. Go not to Altdorf! TELL. He leaves to-day. HEDW. Then let him first be gone, Cross not his path.--You know he bears us grudge. TELL. His ill-will cannot greatly injure me. I do what's right, and care for no man's hate. HEDW. 'Tis those who do what's right, whom most he hates. TELL. Because he cannot reach them. Me, I ween, His knightship will be glad to leave in peace. HEDW. Ay!--Are you sure of that? TELL. Not long ago, As I was hunting through the wild ravines Of Shechenthal, untrod by mortal foot,-- There, as I took my solitary way Along a shelving ledge of rocks, where 'twas Impossible to step on either side; For high above rose, like a giant wall, The precipice's side, and far below The Shechen thunder'd o'er its rifted bed; [The boys press towards him, looking upon him with excited curiosity.] There, face to face, I met the Viceroy. He Alone with me--and I myself alone-- Mere man to man, and near us the abyss; And when his lordship had perused my face, And knew the man he had severely fined On some most trivial ground, not long before, And saw me, with my sturdy bow in hand, Come striding towards him, his cheek grew pale, His knees refused their office, and I thought He would have sunk against the mountain side. Then, touch'd with pity for him, I advanced, Respectfully, and said, "'Tis I, my lord." But ne'er a sound could he compel his lips To frame in answer. Only with his hand He beckoned me in silence to proceed. So I pass'd on, and sent his train to seek him. HEDW. He trembled, then, before you? Woe the while You saw his weakness; that he'll ne'er forgive. TELL. I shun him, therefore, and he'll not seek me. HEDW. But stay away to-day. Go hunt instead! TELL. What do you fear? HEDW. I am uneasy. Stay! TELL. Why thus distress yourself without a cause? HEDW. Because there is no cause. Tell, Tell! stay here! TELL. Dear wife, I gave my promise I would go. HEDW. Must you,--then go. But leave the boys with me. WALT. No, mother dear, I go with father, I. HEDW. How, Walter! Will you leave your mother then? WALT. I'll bring you pretty things from grandpapa. [Exit with his father.] WIL. Mother, I'll stay with you! HEDW. (embracing him). Yes, yes! thou art My own dear child. Thou'rt all that's left to me. [She goes to the gate of the court and looks anxiously after Tell and her son for a considerable time.]
SCENE II. A retired part of the forest.--Brooks dashing in spray over the rocks. Enter Bertha in a hunting dress. Immediately afterwards Rudenz.
BERTH. He follows me. Now, then, to speak my mind! RUD. (entering hastily).
SCENE II. A retired part of the forest.--Brooks dashing in spray over the rocks. Enter Bertha in a hunting dress. Immediately afterwards Rudenz.
BERTH. He follows me. Now, then, to speak my mind! RUD. (entering hastily).