第24章

[While the attention of the crowd has been directed to the spot where Bertha had cast herself between Rudenz and Gessler, Tell has shot.]

ROSSEL.

The boy's alive!

MANY VOICES.

The apple has been struck!

[Walter Furst staggers and is about to fall.Bertha supports him.]

GESSL.(astonished).

How? Has he shot? The madman!

BERTH.

Worthy father!

Pray you, compose yourself.The boy's alive.

WALT.(runs in with the apple).

Here is the apple, father! Well I knew You would not harm your boy.

[Tell stands with his body bent forwards, as if still following the arrow.His bow drops from his hand.When he sees the boy advancing, he hastens to meet him with open arms, and, embracing him passionately, sinks down with him quite exhausted.All crowd round them deeply affected.]

BERTH.

Oh, ye kind Heavens!

FURST (to father and son).

My children, my dear children!

STAUFF.

God be praised!

LEUTH.

Almighty powers! That was a shot indeed!

It will be talked of to the end of time.

HAR.

This feat of Tell, the archer, will be told Long as these mountains stand upon their base.

[Hands the apple to Gessler.]

GESSL.

By Heaven! the apple's cleft right through the core.

It was a master shot, I must allow.

ROSSEL.

The shot was good.But woe to him who drove The man to tempt his God by such a feat!

STAUFF.

Cheer up, Tell, rise! You've nobly freed yourself, And now may go in quiet to your home.

ROSSEL.

Come, to the mother let us bear her son!

[They are about to lead him off.]

GESSL.

A word, Tell.

TELL.

Sir, your pleasure?

GESSL.

Thou didst place A second arrow in thy belt--nay, nay!

I saw it well.Thy purpose with it? Speak!

TELL (confused).

It is a custom with all archers, sir.

GESSL.

No, Tell, I cannot let that answer pass.

There was some other motive, well I know.

Frankly and cheerfully confess the truth;--Whate'er it be, I promise thee thy life.

Wherefore the second arrow?

TELL.

Well, my lord, Since you have promised not to take my life, I will, without reserve, declare the truth.

[He draws the arrow from his belt, and fixes his eyes sternly upon the governor.]

If that my hand had struck my darling child, This second arrow I had aimed at you, And, be assured, I should not then have miss'd.

GESSL.

Well, Tell, I promised thou shouldst have thy life;I gave my knightly word, and I will keep it.

Yet, as I know the malice of thy thoughts, I'll have thee carried hence, and safely penn'd, Where neither sun nor moon shall reach thine eyes.

Thus from thy arrows I shall be secure.

Seize on him, guards, and bind him!

[They bind him.]

STAUFF.

How, my lord--

How can you treat in such a way a man On whom God's hand has plainly been reveal'd?

GESSL.

Well, let us see if it will save him twice!

Remove him to my ship; I'll follow straight, At Kussnacht I will see him safely lodged.

ROSSEL.

You dare not do't.Nor durst the Emperor's self So violate our dearest chartered rights.

GESSL.

Where are they? Has the Emp'ror confirm'd them?

He never has.And only by obedience May you that favour hope to win from him.

You are all rebels 'gainst the Emp'ror's power,--And bear a desperate and rebellious spirit.

I know you all--I see you through and through.

Him do I single from amongst you now, But in his guilt you all participate.

If you are wise, be silent and obey!

[Exit, followed by Bertha, Rudenz, Harras, and attendants.Friesshardt and Leuthold remain.]

FURST (in violent anguish).

All's over now! He is resolved to bring Destruction on myself and all my house.

STAUFF.(to Tell).

Oh, why did you provoke the tyrant's rage?

TELL.

Let him be calm who feels the pangs I felt.

STAUFF.

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!

LEUTH.(approaching him).

I'm sorry for you, Tell, but must obey.

TELL.

Farewell!

WALT.(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 passionately to his breast).

The boy's uninjured; God will succour me!

[Tears himself suddenly away, and follows the soldiers of the guard.]