KUONI.
O, tell us all! You've time enough, and more, While he is getting out the boat there from the beach.
BAUM.
When I was in the forest felling timber, My wife came running out in mortal fear.
"The Seneschal," she said, "was in my house, Had ordered her to get a bath prepared, And thereupon had ta'en unseemly freedoms, From which she rid herself, and flew to me."Arm'd as I was, I sought him, and my axe Has given his bath a bloody benison.
WERNI.
And you did well; no man can blame the deed.
KUONI.
The tyrant! Now he has his just reward! We men of Unterwald have owed it long.
BAUM.
The deed got wind, and now they're in pursuit.
Heavens! whilst we speak, the time is flying fast.
[It begins to thunder.]
KUONI.
Quick, ferryman, and set the good man over.
RUODI.
Impossible! a storm is close at hand, Wait till it pass! You must.
BAUM.
Almighty heavens!
I cannot wait; the least delay is death.
KUONI (to the fisherman).
Push out--God with you!
We should help our neighbours;
The like misfortune may betide us all.
[Thunder and the roaring of the wind.]
RUODI.
The South-wind's up![*] See how the lake is rising!
I cannot steer against both wind and wave.
[*] Literally, The Fohn is loose! "When," says Muller, in his History of Switzerland, "the wind called the Fohn is high, the navigation of the lake becomes extremely dangerous.Such is its vehemence, that the laws of the country require that the fires shall be extinguished in the houses while it lasts, and the night watches are doubled.The inhabitants lay heavy stones upon the roofs of their houses, to prevent their being blown away."BAUM.(clasping him by the knees).
God so help you as now you pity me!
WERNI.
His life's at stake.Have pity on him, man!
KUONI.
He is a father: has a wife and children.
[Repeated peals of thunder.]
RUODI.
What! and have I not, then, a life to lose, A wife and child at home as well as he?
See how the breakers foam, and toss, and whirl, And the lake eddies up from all its depths!
Right gladly would I save the worthy man, But 'tis impossible, as you must see.
BAUM.(still kneeling).
Then must I fall into the tyrant's hands.
And with the shore of safety close in sight!
Yonder it lies! My eyes can see it clear, My very voice can echo to its shores.
There is the boat to carry me across, Yet must I lie here helpless and forlorn.
KUONI.
Look! who comes here?
RUODI.
'Tis Tell, ay, Tell, of Burglen.[*]
[*] Burglen, the birthplace and residence of Tell.A chapel, erected in 1522, remains on the spot formerly occupied by his house.
[Enter Tell with a crossbow.]
TELL.
What man is he that here implores of aid?
KUONI.
He is from Alzellen, and to guard his honour From touch of foulest shame, has slain the Wolfshot, The Imperial Seneschal, who dwelt at Rossberg.
The Viceroy's troopers are upon his heels;He begs the ferryman to take him over, But frightened at the storm he says he won't.
RUODI.
Well, there is Tell can steer as well as I.
He'll be my judge, if it be possible.
[Violent peals 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.]
