Wilhelm Tell | Page 2

too. Are they your own?
KUONI. I'm not so rich. They are the noble lord's Of Attinghaus, and trusted to my care.
RUODI. How gracefully yon heifer bears her ribbon!
KUONI. Ay, well she knows she's leader of the herd, And, take it from her, she'd refuse to feed.
RUODI. You're joking now. A beast devoid of reason.
WERNI. That's easy said. But beasts have reason too-- And that we know, we men that hunt the chamois. They never turn to feed--sagacious creatures! Till they have placed a sentinel ahead, Who pricks his ears whenever we approach, And gives alarm with clear and piercing pipe.
RUODI (to the shepherd). Are you for home?
KUONI. The Alp is grazed quite bare.
WERNI. A safe return, my friend!
KUONI. The same to you? Men come not always back from tracks like yours.
RUODI. But who comes here, running at topmost speed?
WERNI. I know the man; 'tis Baumgart of Alzellen.
CONRAD BAUMGARTEN (rushing in breathless). For God's sake, ferryman, your boat!
RUODI. How now? Why all this haste?
BAUMGARTEN. Cast off! My life's at stake! Set me across!
KUONI. Why, what's the matter, friend?
WERNI. Who are pursuing you? First tell us that.
BAUMGARTEN (to the fisherman). Quick, quick, even now they're close upon my heels! The viceroy's horsemen are in hot pursuit! I'm a lost man should they lay hands upon me.
RUODI. Why are the troopers in pursuit of you?
BAUMGARTEN. First save my life and then I'll tell you all.
WERNI. There's blood upon your garments--how is this?
BAUMGARTEN. The imperial seneschal, who dwelt at Rossberg.
KUONI. How! What! The Wolfshot? [3] Is it he pursues you?
BAUMGARTEN. He'll ne'er hunt man again; I've settled him.
ALL (starting back). Now, God forgive you, what is this you've done!
BAUMGARTEN. What every free man in my place had done. I have but used mine own good household right 'Gainst him that would have wronged my wife--my honor.
KUONI. And has he wronged you in your honor, then?
BAUMGARTEN. That he did not fulfil his foul desire Is due to God and to my trusty axe.
WERNI. You've cleft his skull, then, have you, with your axe?
KUONI. Oh, tell us all! You've time enough, before The boat can be unfastened from its moorings.
BAUMGARTEN. When I was in the forest, felling timber, My wife came running out in mortal fear: "The seneschal," she said, "was in my house, Had ordered her to get a bath prepared, And thereupon had taken unseemly freedoms, From which she rid herself and flew to me." Armed as I was I sought him, and my axe Has given his bath a bloody benediction.
WERNI. And you did well; no man can blame the deed.
KUONI. The tyrant! Now he has his just reward! We men of Unterwald have owed it long.
BAUMGARTEN. The deed got wind, and now they're in pursuit. Heavens! whilst we speak, the time is flying fast.
[It begins to thunder.
KUONI. Quick, ferrymen, and set the good man over.
RUODI. Impossible! a storm is close at hand, Wait till it pass! You must.
BAUMGARTEN. Almighty heavens! I cannot wait; the least delay is death.
KUONI (to the fisherman). Push out. God with you! We should help our neighbors; The like misfortune may betide us all.
[Thunder and the roaring of the wind.
RUODI. The south wind's up! [4] See how the lake is rising! I cannot steer against both storm and wave.
BAUMGARTEN (clasping him by the knees). God so help you, as now you pity me!
WERNI. His life's at stake. Have pity on him, man!
KUONI. He is a father: has a wife and children.
[Repeated peals of thunder.
RUODI. What! and have I not, then, a life to lose, A wife and child at home as well as he? See, how the breakers foam, and toss, and whirl, And the lake eddies up from all its depths! Right gladly would I save the worthy man, But 'tis impossible, as you must see.
BAUMGARTEN (still kneeling). Then must I fall into the tyrant's hands, And with the port of safety close in sight! Yonder it lies! My eyes can measure it, My very voice can echo to its shores. There is the boat to carry me across, Yet must I lie here helpless and forlorn.
KUONI. Look! who comes here?
RUODI. 'Tis Tell, brave Tell, of Buerglen. [5]
[Enter TELL, with a crossbow.
TELL. Who is the man that here implores for aid?
KUONI. He is from Alzellen, and to guard his honor From touch of foulest shame, has slain the Wolfshot! The imperial seneschal, who dwelt at Rossberg. The viceroy's troopers are upon his heels; He begs the boatman here to take him over, But he, in terror of the storm, refuses.
RUODI. Well, there is Tell can steer as well as I. He'll be my judge, if it be possible.
[Violent peals of thunder--the lake becomes more tempestuous.
Am I to plunge into the jaws of hell? I should be mad to dare the desperate act.
TELL. The brave man thinks upon