G.o.d pardon those who counselled the delay!
GESSLER (to TELL).
Now, to thy task! Men bear not arms for naught.
"Tis dangerous to carry deadly weapons, And on the archer oft his shaft recoils.
This right these haughty peasant-churls a.s.sume Trenches upon their master"s privileges.
None should be armed but those who bear command.
It pleases you wear the bow and bolt; Well, be it so. I will provide the mark.
TELL (bends the bow and fixes the arrow).
A lane there! Room!
STAUFFACHER.
What, Tell? You would--no, no!
You shake--your hand"s unsteady--your knees tremble!
TELL (letting the bow sink down).
There"s something swims before mine eyes!
WOMEN.
Great Heaven!
TELL.
Release me from this shot!
Here is my heart!
[Tears open his breast.
Summon your troopers--let them strike me down!
GESSLER.
I do not want thy life, Tell, but the shot.
Thy talent"s universal! Nothing daunts thee!
Thou canst direct the rudder like the bow!
Storms fright not thee when there"s a life at stake.
Now, savior, help thyself, thou savest all!
[TELL stands fearfully agitated by contending emotions, his hands moving convulsively, and his eyes turning alternately to the governor and heaven. Suddenly he takes a second arrow from his quiver and sticks it in his belt. The governor watches all these motions.
WALTER (beneath the lime tree).
Come, father, shoot! I"m not afraid!
TELL.
It must be!
[Collects himself and levels the bow.
RUDENZ (who all the while has been standing in a state of violent excitement, and has with difficulty restrained himself, advances).
My lord, you will not urge this matter further.
You will not. It was surely but a test.
You"ve gained your object. Rigor pushed too far Is sure to miss its aim, however good, As snaps the bow that"s all too straightly bent.
GESSLER.
Peace, till your counsel"s asked for!
RUDENZ.
I will speak! Ay, and I dare! I reverence my king; But acts like these must make his name abhorred.
He sanctions not this cruelty. I dare Avouch the fact. And you outstep your powers In handling thus an unoffending people.
GESSLER.
Ha! thou growest bold methinks!
RUDENZ.
I have been dumb To all the oppressions I was doomed to see.
I"ve closed mine eyes that they might not behold them, Bade my rebellious, swelling heart be still, And pent its struggles down within my breast.
But to be silent longer were to be A traitor to my king and country both.
BERTHA (casting herself between him and the governor).
Oh, heavens! you but exasperate his rage!
RUDENZ.
My people I forsook, renounced my kindred-- Broke all the ties of nature that I might Attach myself to you. I madly thought That I should best advance the general weal, By adding sinews to the emperor"s power.
The scales have fallen from mine eyes--I see The fearful precipice on which I stand.
You"ve led my youthful judgment far astray,-- Deceived my honest heart. With best intent, I had well nigh achieved my country"s ruin.
GESSLER.
Audacious boy, this language to thy lord?
RUDENZ.
The emperor is my lord, not you! I"m free As you by birth, and I can cope with you In every virtue that beseems a knight.
And if you stood not here in that king"s name, Which I respect e"en where "tis most abused, I"d throw my gauntlet down, and you should give An answer to my gage in knightly fashion.
Ay, beckon to your troopers! Here I stand; But not like these-- [Pointing to the people.
unarmed. I have a sword, And he that stirs one step----
STAUFFACHER (exclaims).
The apple"s down!
[While the attention of the crowd has been directed to the spot where BERTHA had cast herself between RUDENZ and GESSLER, TELL has shot.
ROSSELMANN.
The boy"s alive!
MANY VOICES.
The apple has been struck!
[WALTER FURST staggers, and is about to fall. BERTHA supports him.
GESSLER (astonished).
How? Has he shot? The madman!