TELL.
Hands can destroy whatever hands have reared.
[Pointing to the mountains.
That house of freedom G.o.d 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.
FIRST WORKMAN.
What means the drum? Give heed!
MASTER MASON.
Why here"s a mumming!
And look, the cap,--what can they mean by that?
CRIER.
In the emperor"s name, give ear!
WORKMEN.
Hush! silence! hush!
CRIER.
Ye men of Uri, ye do see this cap!
It will be set upon a lofty pole In Altdorf, in the market-place: and this Is the lord governor"s good will and pleasure, The cap shall have like honor as himself, And all shall reverence it with bended knee, And head uncovered; thus the king will know Who are his true and loyal subjects here: His life and goods are forfeit to the crown, That shall refuse obedience to the order.
[The people burst out into laughter. The drum beats, and the procession pa.s.ses on.
FIRST WORKMAN.
A strange device to fall upon, indeed!
Do reverence to a cap! a pretty farce!
Heard ever mortal anything like this?
MASTER MASON.
Down to a cap on bended knee, forsooth!
Rare jesting this with men of sober sense!
FIRST WORKMAN.
Nay, were it but the imperial crown, indeed!
But "tis the cap of Austria! I"ve seen it Hanging above the throne in Gessler"s hall.
MASTER MASON.
The cap of Austria! Mark that! A snare To get us into Austria"s power, by heaven!
WORKMEN.
No freeborn man will stoop to such disgrace.
MASTER MASON.
Come--to our comrades, and advise with them!
[They retire up.
TELL (to STAUFFACHER).
You see how matters stand: Farewell, my friend!
STAUFFACHER.
Whither away? Oh, leave us not so soon.
TELL.
They look for me at home. So fare ye well.
STAUFFACHER.
My heart"s so full, and has so much to tell you.
TELL.
Words will not make a heart that"s heavy light.
STAUFFACHER.
Yet words may possibly conduct to deeds.
TELL.
All we can do is to endure in silence.
STAUFFACHER.
But shall we bear what is not to be borne?
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.
STAUFFACHER.
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, Whene"er they see we are not to be roused.
STAUFFACHER.
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.
STAUFFACHER.
And you desert the common cause so coldly?
TELL.
A man can safely count but on himself!