Wilhelm Tell [3]
of thunder--the lake becomes more tempestuous.] Am I to plunge into the jaws of hell? I should be mad to dare the desperate act. TELL. The brave man thinks upon himself the last. Put trust in God, and help him in his need! RUODI. Safe in the port, 'tis easy to advise. There is the boat, and there the lake! Try you! TELL. The lake may pity, but the Viceroy never. Come, risk it, man! SHEPHERD and HUNTSMAN. O save him! save him! save him! RUODI. Though 'twere my brother, or my darling child, I would not go. 'Tis Simon and Jude's day, The lake is up, and calling for its victim. TELL. Nought's to be done with idle talking here. Each moment's precious; the man must be help'd, Say, boatman, will you venture? RUODI. No; not I. TELL. In God's name, then, give me the boat! I will, With my poor strength, see what is to be done! KUONI. Ha, gallant Tell! WERNI. That's like a huntsman true. BAUM. You are my angel, my preserver, Tell. TELL. I may preserve you from the Viceroy's power, But from the tempest's rage another must. Yet better 'tis you fall into God's hands, Than into those of men. [To the herdsman.] Herdsman, do thou Console my wife if I should come to grief. I could not choose but do as I have done. [He leaps into the boat.] KUONI (to the fisherman). A pretty man to keep a ferry, truly! What Tell could risk, you dared not venture on. RUODI. Far better men would never cope with Tell. There's no two such as he 'mong all our hills. WERNI (who has ascended a rock). Now he is off. God help thee, gallant sailor! Look how the little boat reels on the waves! There! they have swept clean over it. And now-- KUONI (on the shore). 'Tis out of sight. Yet stay, there 'tis again! Stoutly he stems the breakers, noble fellow! SEPPI. Here come the troopers hard as they can ride! KUONI. Heavens! so they do! Why, that was help, indeed. [Enter a troop of horsemen.] 1ST H. Give up the murderer! You have him here! 2ND H. This way he came! 'Tis useless to conceal him! RUODI and KUONI. Whom do you mean? 1ST H. (discovering the boat). The devil! What do I see? WERNI. (from above). Isn't he in yonder boat ye seek? Ride on, If you lay to, you may o'ertake him yet. 2ND H. Curse on you, he's escaped! 1ST H. (to the shepherd and fisherman). You help'd him off, And you shall pay for it! Fall on their herds! Down with the cottage! burn it! beat it down! [They rush off.] SEPPI (hurrying after them). Oh, my poor lambs! KUONI (following him). Unhappy me, my herds! WERNI. The tyrants! RUODI (wringing his hands). Righteous Heaven! Oh, when will come Deliverance to this doom-devoted land? [Exeunt severally.]
SCENE II. A lime tree in front of Stauffacher's house at Steinen, in Schwytz, upon the public road, near a bridge. Werner Stauffacher and Pfeiffer, of Lucerne, enter into conversation.
PFEIFF. Ay, ay, friend Stauffacher, as I have said, Swear not to Austria, if you can help it. Hold by the Empire stoutly as of yore, And God preserve you in your ancient freedom! [Presses his hand warmly, and is going.] STAUFF. Wait till my mistress comes. Now do! You are My guest in Schwytz--I in Lucerne am yours. PFEIFF. Thanks! thanks! But I must reach Gersau to-day. Whatever grievances your rulers' pride And grasping avarice may yet inflict, Bear them in patience--soon a change may come. Another emperor may mount the throne. But Austria's once, and you are hers for ever. [Exit.] [Stauffacher sits down sorrowfully upon a bench under the lime tree. Gertrude, his wife, enters, and finds him in this posture. She places herself near him, and looks at him for some time in silence.] GERT. So sad, my love! I scarcely know thee now. For many a day in silence I have mark'd A moody sorrow furrowing thy brow. Some silent grief is weighing on thy heart. Trust it to me. I am thy faithful wife, And I demand my half of all thy cares. [Stauffacher gives her his hand and is silent.] Tell me what can oppress thy spirits thus? Thy toil is blest--the world goes well with thee-- Our barns are full--our cattle, many a score; Our handsome team of well-fed horses, too, Brought from the mountain
SCENE II. A lime tree in front of Stauffacher's house at Steinen, in Schwytz, upon the public road, near a bridge. Werner Stauffacher and Pfeiffer, of Lucerne, enter into conversation.
PFEIFF. Ay, ay, friend Stauffacher, as I have said, Swear not to Austria, if you can help it. Hold by the Empire stoutly as of yore, And God preserve you in your ancient freedom! [Presses his hand warmly, and is going.] STAUFF. Wait till my mistress comes. Now do! You are My guest in Schwytz--I in Lucerne am yours. PFEIFF. Thanks! thanks! But I must reach Gersau to-day. Whatever grievances your rulers' pride And grasping avarice may yet inflict, Bear them in patience--soon a change may come. Another emperor may mount the throne. But Austria's once, and you are hers for ever. [Exit.] [Stauffacher sits down sorrowfully upon a bench under the lime tree. Gertrude, his wife, enters, and finds him in this posture. She places herself near him, and looks at him for some time in silence.] GERT. So sad, my love! I scarcely know thee now. For many a day in silence I have mark'd A moody sorrow furrowing thy brow. Some silent grief is weighing on thy heart. Trust it to me. I am thy faithful wife, And I demand my half of all thy cares. [Stauffacher gives her his hand and is silent.] Tell me what can oppress thy spirits thus? Thy toil is blest--the world goes well with thee-- Our barns are full--our cattle, many a score; Our handsome team of well-fed horses, too, Brought from the mountain