Wilhelm Tell [27]
fearfully agitated by contending emotions, his hands moving convulsively, and his eyes turning alternately to the Governor and Heaven. Suddenly he takes a second arrow from his quiver, and sticks it in his belt. The Governor notes all he does.] WALT. (beneath the lime tree). Shoot, father, shoot! fear not! TELL. It must be! [Collects himself and levels the bow.] RUD. (who all the while has been standing in a state of violent excitement, and has with difficulty restrained himself, advances). My lord, you will not urge this matter further; You will not. It was surely but a test. You've gained your object. Rigour push'd too far Is sure to miss its aim, however good, As snaps the bow that's all too straitly bent. GESSL. Peace, till your counsel's ask'd for! RUD. I will speak! Ay, and I dare! I reverence my king; But acts like these must make his name abhorr'd. He sanctions not this cruelty. I dare Avouch the fact. And you outstep your powers In handling thus my harmless countrymen. GESSL. Ha! thou grow'st bold, methinks! RUD. I have been dumb To all the oppressions I was doomed to see. I've closed mine eyes to shut them from my view, Bade my rebellious, swelling heart be still, And pent its struggles down within my breast. But to be silent longer, were to be A traitor to my king and country both. BERTH. (casting herself between him and the Governor). Oh, Heavens! you but exasperate his rage! RUD. My people I forsook--renounced my kindred-- Broke all the ties of nature, that I might Attach myself to you. I madly thought That I should best advance the general weal By adding sinews to the Emperor's power. The scales have fallen from mine eyes--I see The fearful precipice on which I stand. You've led my youthful judgment far astray,-- Deceived my honest heart. With best intent, I had well-nigh achiev'd my country's ruin. GESSL. Audacious boy, this language to thy lord? RUD. The Emperor is my lord, not you! I'm free. As you by birth, and I can cope with you In every virtue that beseems a knight. And if you stood not here in that king's name, Which I respect e'en where 'tis most abused, I'd throw my gauntlet down, and you should give An answer to my gage in knightly sort. Ay, beckon to your troopers! Here I stand; But not like these [Pointing to the people,] --unarmed. I have a sword, And he that stirs one step-- STAUFF. (exclaims). The apple's down! [While the attention of the crowd has been directed to the spot where Bertha had cast herself between Rudenz and Gessler, Tell has shot.] ROSSEL. The boy's alive! MANY VOICES. The apple has been struck! [Walter Furst staggers and is about to fall. Bertha supports him.] GESSL. (astonished). How? Has he shot? The madman! BERTH. Worthy father! Pray you, compose yourself. The boy's alive. WALT. (runs in with the apple). Here is the apple, father! Well I knew You would not harm your boy. [Tell stands with his body bent forwards, as if still following the arrow. His bow drops from his hand. When he sees the boy advancing, he hastens to meet him with open arms, and, embracing him passionately, sinks down with him quite exhausted. All crowd round them deeply affected.] BERTH. Oh, ye kind Heavens! FURST (to father and son). My children, my dear children! STAUFF. God be praised! LEUTH. Almighty powers! That was a shot indeed! It will be talked of to the end of time. HAR. This feat of Tell, the archer, will be told Long as these mountains stand upon their base. [Hands the apple to Gessler.] GESSL. By Heaven! the apple's cleft right through the core. It was a master shot, I must allow. ROSSEL. The shot was good. But woe to him who drove The man to tempt his God by such a feat! STAUFF. Cheer up, Tell, rise! You've nobly freed yourself, And now may go in quiet to your home. ROSSEL. Come, to the mother let us bear her son! [They are about to lead him off.] GESSL. A word, Tell. TELL. Sir, your pleasure? GESSL. Thou didst place A second arrow in thy belt--nay, nay! I saw it well. Thy purpose with it? Speak! TELL (confused). It is a custom with all archers, sir. GESSL. No, Tell, I cannot let that answer