The German Classics of the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries Volume Iii Part 125

What is the matter? Tell me what has happen'd?

ARMGART.

The Viceroy's shot--pierced by a cross-bow bolt!

PEOPLE (_running in_).

Who has been shot?

 

[_While the foremost of the marriage party are coming on the stage, the hindmost are still upon the heights. The music continues_.]

HARRAS.

He's bleeding fast to death.

Away, for help--pursue the murderer!

Unhappy man, is this to be your end?

You would not listen to my warning words.

STUSSI.

By Heaven, his cheek is pale! Life's ebbing fast.

MANY VOICES.

Who did the deed?

HARRAS.

What! Are the people mad, That they make music to a murder? Silence!

[_Music breaks off suddenly. People continue to flock in_.]

Speak, if you can, my lord. Have you no charge To trust me with?

[GESSLER _makes signs with his hand, which he repeats with vehemence, when he finds they are not understood_.]

Where shall I take you to?

To Kussnacht? What you say I can't make out.

Oh, do not grow impatient! Leave all thought Of earthly things and make your peace with Heaven.

[_The whole marriage party gather round the dying man_.]

STUSSI.

See there! how pale he grows! Death's gathering now About his heart--his eyes grow dim and glazed.

ARMGART (_holds up a child_).

Look, children, how a tyrant dies!

HARRAS.

Mad hag!

Have you no touch of feeling, that your eyes Gloat on a sight so horrible as this?

Help me--take hold. What, will not one a.s.sist To pull the torturing arrow from his breast?

WOMEN.

What! touch the man whom G.o.d's own hand has struck!

HARRAS.

All curses light on you! [_Draws his sword_.]

STUSSI (_seizes his arm_).

Gently, sir knight!

Your power is at end. 'Twere best forbear.

Our country's foe has fallen. We will brook No further violence. We are free men.

ALL.

The country's free.

HARRAS.

And is it come to this?

Fear and obedience at an end so soon?

[_To the soldiers of the guard who are thronging in_.]

You see, my friends, the b.l.o.o.d.y piece of work Has here been done. 'Tis now too late for help, And to pursue the murderer were vain.

We've other things to think of. On to Kussnacht, And let us save that fortress for the king!

For in a moment such as this, all ties Of order, fealty and faith are rent, And we can trust to no man's loyalty.

[_As he is going out with the soldiers, six_ FRATRES MISERICORDIae _appear_.]

ARMGART.

Here comes the brotherhood of mercy. Room!

STUSSI.

The victim's slain, and now the ravens stoop.

BROTHERS OF MERCY (_form a semicircle round the body, and sing in solemn tones)._

Death hurries on with hasty stride, No respite man from him may gain,