A common near Altdorf.On an eminence in the background a castle in progress of erection, and so far advanced that the outline of the whole may be distinguished.The back part is finished: men are working at the front.Scaffolding, on which the workmen are going up and down.
A slater is seen upon the highest part of the roof.All is bustle and activity.
Taskmaster, Mason, Workmen and Labourers.
TASK.(with a stick, urging on the workmen).
Up, up!
You've rested long enough.To work!
The stones here! Now the mortar, and the lime!
And let his lordship see the work advanced, When next he comes.These fellows crawl like snails!
[To two labourers, with loads.]
What! call ye that a load? Go, double it.
Is this the way ye earn your wages, laggards?
1ST W.
'Tis very hard that we must bear the stones, To make a keep and dungeon for ourselves!
TASK.
What's that you mutter? 'Tis a worthless race, For nothing fit but just to milk their cows, And saunter idly up and down the hills.
OLD MAN (sinks down exhausted).
I can no more.
TASK.(shaking him).
Up, up, old man, to work!
1ST W.
Have you no bowels of compassion, thus To press so hard upon a poor old man, That scarce can drag his feeble limbs along?
MASTER MASON and WORKMEN.
Shame, shame upon you--shame! It cries to heaven.
TASK.
Mind your own business.I but do my duty.
1ST W.
Pray, master, what's to be the name of this Same castle, when 'tis built?
TASK.
The Keep of Uri;
For by it we shall keep you in subjection.
WORK.
The Keep of Uri?
TASK.
Well, why laugh at that?
2ND W.
Keep Uri, will you, with this paltry place!
1ST W.
How many molehills such as that must first Be piled up each on each, ere you make A mountain equal to the least in Uri?
[Taskmaster retires up the stage.]
MAS.M.
I'll drown the mallet in the deepest lake, That served my hand on this accursed pile.
[Enter Tell and Stauffacher.]
STAUFF.
O, that I had not lived to see this sight!
TELL.
Here 'tis not good to be.Let us proceed.
STAUFF.
Am I in Uri,--Uri, freedom's home?
MAS.M.
O, sir, if you could only see the vaults Beneath these towers.The man that tenants them Will ne'er hear cock crow more.
STAUFF.
O God! O God!
MASON.
Look at these ramparts and these buttresses, That seem as they were built to last for ever.
TELL.
What hands have built, my friend, hands can destroy.
[Pointing to the mountains.]
/That/ home of freedom God hath built for us.
[A drum is heard.People enter bearing a cap upon a pole, followed by a crier.Women and children thronging tumultuously after them.]
1ST W.
What means the drum? Give heed!
MASON.
Why, here's a mumming!
And look, the cap--what can they mean by that?
CRIER.
In the Emperor's name, give ear!
WORK.
Hush! silence! hush!
CRIER.
Ye men of Uri, ye do see this cap!
