The German Classics of the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries Volume Iii Part 92

Ah, I must swell the measure of your grief, Instead of soothing it. The worst, alas!

Remains to tell. They've stripp'd him of his all; Naught have they left him, save his staff, on which, Blind, and in rags, he moves from door to door.

MELCH.

Naught but his staff to the old eyeless man!

Stripp'd of his all--even of the light of day, The common blessing of the meanest wretch?

Tell me no more of patience, of concealment!

Oh, what a base and coward thing am I, That on mine own security I thought And took no care of thine! Thy precious head Left as a pledge within the tyrant's grasp!

Hence, craven-hearted prudence, hence! And all My thoughts be vengeance, and the despot's blood!

I'll seek him straight--no power shall stay me now-- And at his hands demand my father's eyes.

I'll beard him 'mid a thousand myrmidons!

What's life to me, if in his heart's best blood I cool the fever of this mighty anguish.

[_He is going_.]

FuRST.

Stay, this is madness, Melchthal! What avails Your single arm against his power? He sits At Sarnen high within his lordly keep, And, safe within its battlemented walls, May laugh to scorn your unavailing rage.

MELCH.

And though he sat within the icy domes Of yon far Schreckhorn--ay, or higher, where, Veil'd since eternity, the Jungfrau soars, Still to the tyrant would I make my way; With twenty comrades minded like myself, I'd lay his fastness level with the earth!

And if none follow me, and if you all, In terror for your homesteads and your herds, Bow in submission to the tyrant's yoke, Round me I'll call the herdsmen on the hills, And there beneath heaven's free and boundless roof, Where men still feel as men, and hearts are true, Proclaim aloud this foul enormity!

STAUFFACHER (_to_ FuRST).

The measure's full--and are we then to wait Till some extremity--

MELCH.

Peace! What extremity Remains for us to dread? What, when our eyes No longer in their sockets are secure?

Heavens! Are we helpless? Wherefore did we learn To bend the cross-bow--wield the battle-axe?

What living creature but in its despair, Finds for itself a weapon of defence?

The baited stag will turn, and with the show Of his dread antlers hold the hounds at bay; The chamois drags the huntsman down th' abyss; The very ox, the partner of man's toil, The sharer of his roof, that meekly bends The strength of his huge neck beneath the yoke, Springs up, if he's provoked, whets his strong horn, And tosses his tormentor to the clouds.

FuRST.

If the three Cantons thought as we three do, Something might, then, be done, with good effect.

STAUFF.

When Uri calls, when Unterwald replies, Schwytz will be mindful of her ancient league.[44]

MELCH.

I've many friends in Unterwald, and none That would not gladly venture life and limb, If fairly back'd and aided by the rest.

Oh! sage and reverend fathers of this land, Here do I stand before your riper years, An unskill'd youth, who in the Diet must Into respectful silence hush his voice.

Yet do not, for that I am young, and want Experience, slight my counsel and my words.

'Tis not the wantonness of youthful blood That fires my spirit; but a pang so deep That e'en the flinty rocks must pity me.

You, too, are fathers, heads of families, And you must wish to have a virtuous son, To reverence your gray hairs, and s.h.i.+eld your eyes With pious and affectionate regard.

Do not, I pray, because in limb and fortune You still are una.s.sail'd, and still your eyes Revolve undimm'd and sparkling in their spheres-- Oh, do not, therefore, disregard our wrongs!

Above you, also, hangs the tyrant's sword.

You, too, have striven to alienate the land From Austria. This was all my father's crime: You share his guilt, and _may_ his punishment.

STAUFFACHER (_to_ FuRST).

Do thou resolve! I am prepared to follow.

FuRST.

First let us learn what steps the n.o.ble lords Von Sillinen and Attinghaus propose.

Their names would rally thousands to the cause.

MELCH.

Is there a name within the Forest Mountains That carries more respect than yours--and yours?

On names like these the people build their trust In time of need--such names are household words.

Rich was your heritage of manly worth, And richly have you added to its stores.

What need of n.o.bles? Let us do the work Ourselves. Yes, though we have to stand alone, We shall be able to maintain our rights.

STAUFF.

The n.o.bles' wrongs are not so great as ours.

The torrent, that lays waste the lower grounds, Hath not ascended to the uplands yet.

But let them see the country once in arms, They'll not refuse to lend a helping hand.

FuRST.

Were there an umpire 'twixt ourselves and Austria, Justice and law might then decide our quarrel.

But our oppressor is our Emperor too, And judge supreme. 'Tis G.o.d must help us, then, And our own arm! Be yours the task to rouse The men of Schwytz; I'll rally friends in Uri.

But whom are we to send to Unterwald?

MELCH.

Thither send me. Whom should it more concern?

FuRST.

No, Melchthal, no; you are my guest, and I Must answer for your safety.

MELCH.

Let me go.

I know each forest track and mountain path; Friends too, I'll find, be sure, on every hand, To give me willing shelter from the foe.

STAUFF.

Nay, let him go; no traitors harbor there: For tyranny is so abhorred in Unterwald, No tools can there be found to work her will.