The German Classics of the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries Volume Iii Part 111

WALTER.

Grandfather, do not kneel to that bad man!

Say, where am I to stand? I do not fear; My father strikes the bird upon the wing, And will not miss now when 'twould harm his boy!

STAUFF.

Does the child's innocence not touch your heart?

RoSSEL.

Bethink you, sir, there is a G.o.d in heaven, To whom you must account for all your deeds.

GESSLER (_pointing to the boy_).

Bind him to yonder lime tree!

WALTER.

What! Bind me?

No, I will not be bound! I will be still, Still as a lamb--nor even draw my breath!

But if you bind me, I cannot be still.

Then I shall writhe and struggle with my bonds.

HARRAS.

But let your eyes at least be bandaged, boy!

WALTER.

And why my eyes? No! Do you think I fear An arrow from my father's hand? Not I!

I'll wait it firmly, nor so much as wink!

Quick, father, show them what thy bow can do.

He doubts thy skill--he thinks to ruin us.

Shoot then and hit, though but to spite the tyrant!

[_He goes to the lime tree, and an apple is placed on his head_.]

MELCHTHAL (_to the country people_).

What! Is this outrage to be perpetrated Before our very eyes? Where is our oath?

STAUFF.

Resist we cannot! Weapons we have none, And see the wood of lances round us! See!

MELCH.

Oh! would to heaven that we had struck at once!

G.o.d pardon those who counsell'd the delay!

GESSLER (_to_ TELL).

Now to your task! Men bear not arms for naught.

To carry deadly tools is dangerous, 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 to carry bow and bolt;-- Well--be it so. I will prescribe 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.

'Tis not thy life I want--I want the shot.

Thy talent's universal! Nothing daunts thee!

The rudder thou canst handle like the bow!

No storms affright thee, when a life's 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 notes all he does_.]

WALTER (_beneath the lime tree_).

Shoot, father, shoot! fear not!

TELL.

It must be!