Far be't from us! Yet, that we should avenge
The sovereign's death, who never did us good,
And hunt down those who ne'er molested us,
Becomes us not, nor is our duty. Love
Must be a tribute free, and unconstrain'd;
From all enforced duties death absolves,
And unto him we owe no further debt.
MELCH.
And if the queen laments within her bower,
Accusing Heaven in sorrow's wild despair;
Here see a people, from its anguish freed,
To that same Heav'n send up its thankful praise.
Who would reap tears, must sow the seeds of love.
[Exit the Imperial courier.]
STAUFF. (to the people).
But where is Tell? Shall he, our freedom's founder,
Alone be absent from our festival?
He did the most-endured the worst of all.
Come-to his dwelling let us all repair,
And bid the Saviour of our country hail!
[Exeunt omnes.]
SCENE II.
Interior of Tell's cottage. A fire burning on the hearth. The open
door shows the scene outside.
Hedwig, Walter, and Wilheim
HEDW.
My own dear boys! your father comes to-day;
He lives, is free, and we and all are free;
The country owes its liberty to him!
WALT.
And I, too, mother, bore my part in it!
I must be named with him. My father's shaft
Ran my life close, but yet I never flinch'd.
HEDW. (embracing him).
Yes, yes, thou art restored to me again!
Twice have I seen thee given to my sad eyes,
Twice suffered all a mother's pangs for thee!
But this is past-I have you both, boys, both!
And your dear father will be back to-day.
[A monk appears at the door.]
WILL.
See, mother, yonder stands a holy friar;
He comes for alms, no doubt.
HEDW.
Go lead him in,
That we may give him cheer, and make him feel
That he has come into the house of joy.
[Exit, and returns immediately with a cup.]
WILL. (to the monk).
Come in, good man. Mother will give you food!
WALT.
Come in and rest, then go refresh'd away!
MONK (glancing round in terror, with unquiet looks).
Where am I? In what country? Tell me.
WALT.
How! Are you bewildered, that you know not where?
You are at Burglen, in the land of Uri,
Just at the entrance of the Shechenthal.
MONK (to Hedwig).
Are you alone? Your husband, is he here?
HEDW.
I am expecting him. But what ails you, man?
There's something in your looks, that omens ill!
Whoe'er you be, you are in want-take that.
[Offers him the cup.]
MONK.
Howe'er my sinking heart may yearn for food,
Nought will I taste till you have promised first-
HEDW.
Touch not my garments, come not near me, monk!
You must stand farther back, if I'm to hear you.
MONK.
Oh, by this hearth's bright, hospitable blaze,
By your dear children's heads, which I embrace-
[Grasps the boys.]
HEDW.
Stand back, I say! What is your purpose, man?
Back from my boys! You are no monk,-no, no,
Beneath the robe you wear peace should abide,
But peace abides not in such looks as yours.
MONK.
I am the wretchedest of living men.
HEDW.
The heart is never deaf to wretchedness;
But your look freezes up my inmost soul.
WALT. (springs up).
Mother, here's father!
HEDW.
Oh, my God!
[Is about to follow, trembles and stops.]
WILL. (running after his brother).
My father!
WALT. (without).
Here, here once more!
WILL. (without).
My father, my dear father!
Tell (without).
Yes, here once more! Where is your mother, boys?
[They enter.]
WALT.
There at the door she stands, and can no further,
She trembles so with terror and with joy.
TELL.
Oh Hedwig, Hedwig, mother of my children!
God has been kind and helpful in our woes.
No tyrant's hand shall e'er divide us more.
HEDW. (falling on his neck).
Oh, Tell, what anguish have I borne for thee!
[Monk becomes attentive.]
TELL.
Forget it, now, and live for joy alone!
I'm here again with you! This is my cot!
I stand again upon mine own hearthstone!
WILL.
But, father, where's your crossbow? Not with you?
TELL.
Thou shalt not ever see it more, my boy.
Within a holy shrine it has been placed,
And in the chase shall ne'er be used again.
HEDW.
Oh, Tell! Tell!
[Steps back, dropping his hand.]
TELL.
What alarms thee, dearest wife?
HEDW.
How-how dost thou return to me? This hand-
Dare I take hold of it? This hand-Oh, God!
TELL (with firmness and animation).
Has shielded you and set my country free;
Freely I raise it in the face of Heaven.
[Monk gives a sudden start-he looks at him.]
Who is this friar here?
HEDW.
Ah, I forgot him;
Speak thou with him; I shudder at his presence.
MONK (stepping nearer).
Are you the Tell who slew the Governor?
TELL.
Yes, I am he. I hide the fact from no man.
MONK.
And you are Tell! Ah! it is God's own hand,
That hath conducted me beneath your roof.
TELL (examining him closely).
You are no monk. Who are you?
MONK.
You have slain
The Governor, who did you wrong. I, too,
Have slain a foe, who robb'd me of my rights.
He was no less your enemy than mine.
I've rid the land of him.
TELL (drawing back).
You are-oh, horror!
In-children, children-in, without a word,
Go, my dear wife! Go! Go! Unhappy man,
You should be-
HEDW.
Heav'ns, who is it?
TELL.
Do not ask.
Away! away! the children must not hear it.
Out of the house-away! You must not rest
'Neath the same roof with this unhappy man!
HEDW.
Alas! What is it? Come.