To the field, for "tis there that is proved our hearts" force, "Tis there that in earnest we need "em!
None other can there our places supply, Each must stand alone,--on himself must rely.
CHORUS.
None other can there our places supply, Each must stand alone,--on himself must rely.
DRAGOON.
Now freedom appears from the world to have flown, None but lords and their va.s.sals one traces; While falsehood and cunning are ruling alone O"er the living cowardly races.
The man who can look upon death without fear-- The soldier,--is now the sole freeman left here.
CHORUS.
The man who can look upon death without fear-- The soldier,--is now the sole freeman left here.
FIRST YAGER.
The cares of this life, he casts them away, Untroubled by fear or by sorrow; He rides to his fate with a countenance gay, And finds it to-day or to-morrow; And if "tis to-morrow, to-day we"ll employ To drink full deep of the goblet of joy,
CHORUS.
And if "tis to-morrow, to-day we"ll employ To drink full deep of the goblet of joy.
[They refill their gla.s.ses and drink.
CAVALRY SERGEANT.
The skies o"er him shower his lot filled with mirth, He gains, without toil, its full measure; The peasant, who grubs in the womb of the earth, Believes that he"ll find there the treasure, Through lifetime he shovels and digs like a slave, And digs--till at length he has dug his own grave.
CHORUS.
Through lifetime he shovels and digs like a slave, And digs--till at length he has dug his own grave.
FIRST YAGER.
The horseman, as well as his swift-footed beast, Are guests by whom all are affrighted, When glimmer the lamps at the wedding feast, In the banquet he joins uninvited; He woos not long, and with gold he ne"er buys, But carries by storm love"s blissful prize.
CHORUS.
He woos not long, and with gold he ne"er buys, But carries by storm love"s blissful prize.
SECOND CUIRa.s.sIER.
Why weeps the maiden? Why sorrows she so?
Let me hence, let me hence, girl, I pray thee?
The soldier on earth no sure quarters can know, With true love he ne"er can repay thee.
Fate hurries him onward with fury blind, His peace he never can leave behind.
CHORUS.
Fate hurries him onward with fury blind, His peace he can never leave behind,
FIRST YAGER.
(Taking his two neighbors by the hand. The rest do the same, forming a large semi-circle.) Away, then, my comrades, our chargers let"s mount!
In the battle the bosom bounds lightly!
Youth boils, and life"s goblet still foams at the fount, Away! while the spirit glows brightly!
Unless ye have courage your life to stake, That life ye never your own can make!
CHORUS.
Unless ye have courage your life to stake, That life ye never your own can make!
From William Tell, act i. scene 1.
SCENE--The high rocky sh.o.r.e of the Lake of Lucerne, opposite Schwytz.
The lake forms an inlet in the land; a cottage is near the sh.o.r.e; a fisher-boy is rowing in a boat. Beyond the lake are seen the green pastures, the villages and farms of Schwytz glowing in the sunshine.
On the left of the spectator are the peaks of the Hacken, enveloped in clouds; on his right, in the distance, are seen the glaciers. Before the curtain rises the RANZ DES VACHES, and the musical sound of the cattle-bells are heard, and continue also for some time after the scene opens.
FISHER-BOY (sings in his boat).
AIR--Ranz des Vaches.
Bright smiles the lake, as it woos to its deep,-- A boy on its margin of green lies asleep; Then hears he a strain, Like the flute"s gentle note, Sweet as voices of angels In Eden that float.
And when he awakens, with ecstasy blest, The waters are playing all over his breast, From the depths calls a voice "Dearest child, with me go!
I lure down the sleeper, I draw him below."
HERDSMAN (on the mountain).
AIR--Variation of the Ranz des Vaches.
Ye meadows, farewell!
Ye pastures so glowing!
The herdsman is going, For summer has fled!
We depart to the mountain; we"ll come back again, When the cuckoo is calling,--when wakens the strain,-- When the earth is tricked out with her flowers so gay, When the stream sparkles bright in the sweet month of May.
Ye meadows, farewell!
Ye pastures so glowing!
The herdsman is going, For summer has fled!
CHAMOIS-HUNTER (appearing on the top of a rock).
AIR--Second Variation of the Ranz des Vaches.
O"er the heights growls the thunder, while quivers the bridge, Yet no fear feels the hunter, though dizzy the ridge; He strides on undaunted, O"er plains icy-bound, Where spring never blossoms, Nor verdure is found; And, a broad sea of mist lying under his feet, Man"s dwellings his vision no longer can greet; The world he but views When the clouds broken are-- With its pastures so green, Through the vapor afar.
From William Tell, act iii. scene 1.
WALTER sings.
Bow and arrow bearing, Over hills and streams Moves the hunter daring, Soon as daylight gleams.
As all flying creatures Own the eagle"s sway, So the hunter, Nature"s Mounts and crags obey.
Over s.p.a.ce he reigneth, And he makes his prize All his bolt attaineth, All that creeps or flies.
From William Tell, act iv. scene 3.
CHORUS OF BROTHERS OF MERCY.
Death comes to man with hasty stride, No respite is to him e"er given; He"s stricken down in manhood"s pride, E"en in mid race from earth he"s driven.
Prepared, or not, to go from here, Before his Judge he must appear!