[_Grasps the boys_.]
HEDWIG.
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.
HEDWIG.
The heart is never deaf to wretchedness; But your look freezes up my inmost soul.
WALTER (_springs up_).
Mother, here"s father!
HEDWIG.
Oh, my G.o.d!
[_Is about to follow, trembles and stops_.]
WILLIAM (_running after his brother_).
My father!
WALTER (_without_).
Here, here once more!
WILLIAM (_without_).
My father, my dear father!
TELL (_without_).
Yes, here once more! Where is your mother, boys?
[_They enter_.]
WALTER.
There at the door she stands, and can no further, She trembles so with terror and with joy.
TELL.
Oh Hedwidg, Hedwig, mother of my children!
G.o.d has been kind and helpful in our woes.
No tyrant"s hand shall e"er divide us more.
HEDWIG (_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 hearth stone!
WILLIAM.
But, father, where"s your cross-bow? 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.
HEDWIG.
Oh, Tell! Tell!
[_Steps back, dropping his hand_.]
TELL.
What alarms thee, dearest wife?
HEDWIG. How--how dost thou return to me? This hand-- Dare I take hold of it? This hand--Oh G.o.d!
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?
HEDWIG.
Ah, I forgot him; Speak thou with him; I shudder at his presence.
MONK (_stepping nearer_).
Are you the Tell who slew the governor?