Wilhelm Tell Part 18

Alas, alas! and they will never rest Contentedly at home.

TELL.

No more can I!

I was not framed by nature for a shepherd.

Restless I must pursue a changing course; I only feel the flush and joy of life In starting some fresh quarry every day.

HEDWIG.

Heedless the while of all your wife's alarms As she sits watching through long hours at home.

For my soul sinks with terror at the tales The servants tell about your wild adventures.

Whene'er we part my trembling heart forebodes That you will ne'er come back to me again.

I see you on the frozen mountain steeps, Missing, perchance, your leap from cliff to cliff; I see the chamois, with a wild rebound, Drag you down with him o'er the precipice.

I see the avalanche close o'er your head, The treacherous ice give way, and you sink down Entombed alive within its hideous gulf.

Ah! in a hundred varying forms does death Pursue the Alpine huntsman on his course.

That way of life can surely ne'er be blessed, Where life and limb are perilled every hour.

TELL.

The man that bears a quick and steady eye, And trusts to G.o.d and his own l.u.s.ty sinews, Pa.s.ses, with scarce a scar, through every danger.

The mountain cannot awe the mountain child.

[Having finished his work, he lays aside his tools.

And now, methinks, the door will hold awhile.

The axe at home oft saves the carpenter.

HEDWIG.

Whither away!

[Takes his cap.

TELL.

To Altdorf, to your father.

HEDWIG.

You have some dangerous enterprise in view? Confess!

TELL.

Why think you so?

HEDWIG.

Some scheme's on foot, Against the governors. There was a Diet Held on the Rootli--that I know--and you Are one of the confederacy I'm sure.

TELL.

I was not there. Yet will I not hold back Whene'er my country calls me to her aid.

HEDWIG.

Wherever danger is, will you be placed.

On you, as ever, will the burden fall.

TELL.

Each man shall have the post that fits his powers.

HEDWIG.

You took--ay, 'mid the thickest of the storm-- The man of Unterwald across the lake.

'Tis a marvel you escaped. Had you no thought Of wife and children then?

TELL.

Dear wife, I bad; And therefore saved the father for his children.

HEDWIG.

To brave the lake in all its wrath; 'Twas not To put your trust in G.o.d! 'Twas tempting him.

TELL.

The man that's over-cautious will do little.

HEDWIG.

Yes, you've a kind and helping hand for all; But be in straits and who will lend you aid?

TELL.

G.o.d grant I ne'er may stand in need of it!

[Takes up his crossbow and arrows.

HEDWIG.

Why take your crossbow with you? Leave it here.

TELL.

I want my right hand when I want my bow.

[The boys return.

WALTER.

Where, father, are you going?

TELL.

To grand-dad, boy-- To Altdorf. Will you go?

WALTER.

Ay, that I will!

HEDWIG.

The viceroy's there just now. Go not to Altdorf.

TELL.

He leaves to-day.

HEDWIG.

Then let him first be gone, Cross not his path. You know he bears us grudge.

TELL.