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 pass.
There was some other motive, well I know.
Frankly and cheerfully confess the truth;-
Whate'er it be, I promise thee thy life.
Wherefore the second arrow?
TELL.
Well, my lord,
Since you have promised not to take my life,
I will, without reserve, declare the truth.
[He draws the arrow from his belt, and fixes his eyes sternly upon the
governor.]
If that my hand had struck my darling child,
This second arrow I had aimed at you,
And, be assured, I should not then have miss'd.
GESSL.
Well, Tell, I promised thou shouldst have thy life;
I gave my knightly word, and I will keep it.
Yet, as I know the malice of thy thoughts,
I'll have thee carried hence, and safely penn'd,
Where neither sun nor moon shall reach thine eyes.
Thus from thy arrows I shall be secure.
Seize on him, guards, and bind him!
[They bind him.]
STAUFF.
How, my lord-
How can you treat in such a way a man
On whom God's hand has plainly been reveal'd?
GESSL.
Well, let us see if it will save him twice!
Remove him to my ship; I'll follow straight,
At Kussnacht I will see him safely lodged.
ROSSEL.
You dare not do't. Nor durst the Emperor's self
So violate our dearest chartered rights.
GESSL.
Where are they? Has the Emp'ror confirm'd them?
He never has. And only by obedience
May you that favour hope to win from him.
You are all rebels 'gainst the Emp'ror's power,-
And bear a desperate and rebellious spirit.
I know you all-I see you through and through.
Him do I single from amongst you now,
But in his guilt you all participate.
If you are wise, be silent and obey!
[Exit, followed by Bertha, Rudenz, Harras, and attendants. Friesshardt
and Leuthold remain.]
FURST (in violent anguish).
All's over now! He is resolved to bring
Destruction on myself and all my house.
STAUFF. (to Tell).
Oh, why did you provoke the tyrant's rage?
TELL.
Let him be calm who feels the pangs I felt.
STAUFF.
Alas! alas! Our every hope is gone.
With you we all are fettered and enchain'd.
COUNTRY PEOPLE (surrounding Tell).
Our last remaining comfort goes with you!
LEUTH. (approaching him).
I'm sorry for you, Tell, but must obey.
TELL.
Farewell!