No other course is left us. Now, advise What plan most likely to insure success.
FURST.
To shake a thraldom off that we abhor, To keep our ancient rights inviolate, As we received them from our forefathers--this, Not lawless innovation, is our aim.
Let Caesar still retain what is his due; And he that is a va.s.sal let him pay The service he is sworn to faithfully.
MEYER.
I hold my land of Austria in fief.
FURST.
Continue, then, to pay your feudal service.
WEILER.
I"m tenant of the lords of Rappersweil.
FURST.
Continue, then, to pay them rent and t.i.the.
ROSSELMANN.
Of Zurich"s lady, I"m the humble va.s.sal.
FURST.
Give to the cloister what the cloister claims.
STAUFFACHER.
The empire only is my feudal lord.
FURST.
What needs must be, we"ll do, but nothing further.
We"ll drive these tyrants and their minions hence, And raze their towering strongholds to the ground, Yet shed, if possible, no drop of blood.
Let the emperor see that we were driven to cast The sacred duties of respect away; And when he finds we keep within our bounds, His wrath, belike, may yield to policy; For truly is that nation to be feared, That, when in arms, is temperate in its wrath.
REDING.
But, prithee, tell us how may this be done?
The enemy is armed as well as we, And, rest a.s.sured, he will not yield in peace.
STAUFFACHER.
He will, whene"er he sees us up in arms; We shall surprise him, ere he is prepared.
MEYER.
"Tis easily said, but not so easily done.
Two fortresses of strength command the country.
They shield the foe, and should the king invade us, The task would then be dangerous indeed.
Rossberg and Sarnen both must be secured, Before a sword is drawn in either Canton.
STAUFFACHER.
Should we delay, the foe will soon be warned; We are too numerous for secrecy.
MEYER.
There is no traitor in the Forest States.
ROSSELMANN.
But even zeal may heedlessly betray.
FURST.
Delay it longer, and the keep at Altdorf Will be complete,--the governor secure.
MEYER.
You think but of yourselves.
SACRISTAN.
You are unjust!
MEYER.
Unjust! said you? Dares Uri taunt us so?
REDING.
Peace, on your oath!
MEYER.
If Schwytz be leagued with Uri, Why then, indeed, we must perforce be silent.
REDING.
And let me tell you, in the Diet"s name, Your hasty spirit much disturbs the peace.
Stand we not all for the same common cause?
WINKELRIED.
What, if we delay till Christmas? "Tis then The custom for the serfs to throng the castle, Bringing the governor their annual gifts.
Thus may some ten or twelve selected men a.s.semble un.o.bserved within its walls, Bearing about their persons pikes of steel, Which may be quickly mounted upon staves, For arms are not admitted to the fort.
The rest can fill the neighboring wood, prepared To sally forth upon a trumpet"s blast, Whene"er their comrades have secured the gate; And thus the castle will be ours with ease.
MELCHTHAL.
The Rossberg I will undertake to scale, I have a sweetheart in the garrison, Whom with some tender words I could persuade To lower me at night a hempen ladder.
Once up, my friends will not be long behind.
REDING.
Are all resolved in favor of delay?
[The majority raise their hands.
STAUFFACHER (counting them).
Twenty to twelve is the majority.
FURST.
If on the appointed day the castles fall, From mountain on to mountain we shall pa.s.s The fiery signal: in the capital Of every Canton quickly rouse the Landsturm. [19]
Then, when these tyrants see our martial front, Believe me, they will never make so bold As risk the conflict, but will gladly take Safe conduct forth beyond our boundaries.
STAUFFACHER.
Not so with Gessler. He will make a stand.
Surrounded with his dread array of horse, Blood will he shed before he quits the field.