Alas! alas! Our every hope is gone.
With you we all are fettered and enchain"d.
COUNTRY PEOPLE (_surrounding_ TELL).
Our last remaining comfort goes with you!
LEUTHOLD (_approaching him_).
I"m sorry for you, Tell, but must obey.
TELL.
Farewell!
WALTER TELL (_clinging to him in great agony_).
Oh, father, father, father dear!
TELL (_pointing to Heaven_).
Thy father is on high--appeal to Him!
STAUFF.
Have you no message, Tell, to send your wife?
TELL (_clasping the boy pa.s.sionately to his breast_).
The boy"s uninjured; G.o.d will succor me!
[_Tears himself suddenly away, and follows the soldiers of the guard_.]
ACT IV
SCENE I
_Eastern sh.o.r.e of the Lake of Lucerne; rugged and singularly shaped rocks close the prospect to the west. The lake is agitated, violent roaring and rushing of wind, with thunder and lightning at intervals._
KUNZ OF GERSAU, FISHERMAN _and_ BOY
KUNZ.
I saw it with these eyes! Believe me, friend, It happen"d all precisely as I"ve said.
FISHER.
How! Tell a prisoner, and to Kussnacht borne?
The best man in the land, the bravest arm, Had we for liberty to strike a blow!
KUNZ.
The Viceroy takes him up the lake in person: They were about to go on board, as I Started from Fluelen; but the gathering storm, That drove me here to land so suddenly, May well have hindered them from setting out.
FISHER.
Our Tell in chains, and in the Viceroy"s power!
O, trust me, Gessler will entomb him where He never more shall see the light of day; For, Tell once free, the tyrant well might dread The just revenge of one so deeply wrong"d.
KUNZ.
The old Landamman, too--von Attinghaus-- They say, is lying at the point of death.
FISHER.
Then the last anchor of our hopes gives way!
He was the only man that dared to raise His voice in favor of the people"s rights.
KUNZ.
The storm grows worse and worse. So, fare ye well!
I"ll go and seek out quarters in the village.
There"s not a chance of getting off today.
[_Exit_.]
FISHER.
Tell dragg"d to prison, and the Baron dead!
Now, tyranny, exalt thy brazen front-- Throw every shame aside! Truth"s voice is dumb!
The eye that watch"d for us, in darkness closed, The arm that should have struck thee down, in chains!
BOY.
"Tis hailing hard--come, let us to the hut!
This is no weather to be out in, father!
FISHER.
Rage on, ye winds! Ye lightnings, flash your fires!
Burst, ye swollen clouds! Ye cataracts of Heaven, Descend, and drown the country! In the germ Destroy the generations yet unborn!
Ye savage elements, be lords of all!
Return, ye bears: ye ancient wolves, return To this wide howling waste! The land is yours.
Who would live here, when liberty is gone!
BOY.