TELL.
Impetuous rulers have the shortest reigns.
When the fierce south wind rises from his chasms, Men cover up their fires, the ships in haste Make for the harbor, and the mighty spirit Sweeps o"er the earth, and leaves no trace behind.
Let every man live quietly at home; Peace to the peaceful rarely is denied.
STAUFF.
And is it thus you view our grievances?
TELL.
The serpent stings not till it is provoked; Let them alone; they"ll weary of themselves, When they shall see we are not to be roused.
STAUFF.
Much might be done--did we stand fast together.
TELL.
When the ship founders, he will best escape Who seeks no other"s safety but his own.
STAUFF.
And you desert the common cause so coldly?
TELL.
A man can safely count but on himself!
STAUFF.
Nay, even the weak grow strong by union.
TELL.
But the strong man is strongest when alone.
STAUFF.
So, then, your country cannot count on you, If in despair she rise against her foes.
TELL.
Tell rescues the lost sheep from yawning gulfs: Is he a man, then, to desert his friends?
Yet, whatsoe"er you do, spare me from council!
I was not born to ponder and select; But when your course of action is resolved, Then call on Tell: you shall not find him fail.
[_Exeunt severally. A sudden tumult is heard around the scaffolding_.]
MASON (_running in_).
What"s wrong?
FIRST WORKMAN (_running forward_).
The slater"s fallen from the roof.
BERTHA (_rushing in_).
Heavens! Is he dashed to pieces? Save him, help!
If help be possible, save him! Here is gold.
[_Throws her trinkets among the people_.]
MASON.
Hence with your gold--your universal charm, And remedy for ill! When you have torn Fathers from children, husbands from their wives, And scattered woe and wail throughout the land, You think with gold to compensate for all.
Hence! Till we saw you, we were happy men; With you came misery and dark despair.
BERTHA (_to the_ TASKMASTER, _who has returned_).
Lives he?
[TASKMASTER _shakes his head_.]
Ill-omened towers, with curses built, And doomed with curses to be tenanted!
[_Exit_.]
SCENE IV
_The house of_ WALTER FuRST. WALTER FuRST _and_ ARNOLD VON MELCHTHAL _enter simultaneously at different sides_.
MELCH.
Good Walter Furst
FuRST.
If we should be surprised!
Stay where you are. We are beset with spies.
MELCH.
Have you no news for me from Unterwald?
What of my father? "Tis not to be borne Thus to be pent up like a felon here!
What have I done so heinous that I must Skulk here in hiding, like a murderer?