Wilhelm Tell Part 22

But they may freely hunt among the woods?

TELL.

The game is all the monarch's--bird and beast.

WALTER.

But they, at least, may surely fish the streams?

TELL.

Stream, lake, and sea, all to the king belong.

WALTER.

Who is this king, of whom they're so afraid?

TELL.

He is the man who fosters and protects them.

WALTER.

Have they not courage to protect themselves?

TELL.

The neighbor there dare not his neighbor trust.

WALTER.

I should want breathing room in such a land, I'd rather dwell beneath the avalanches.

TELL.

'Tis better, child, to have these glacier peaks Behind one's back than evil-minded men!

[They are about to pa.s.s on.

WALTER.

See, father, see the cap on yonder pole!

TELL.

What is the cap to us? Come, let's be gone.

[As he is going, FRIESSHARDT, presenting his pike, stops him.

FRIESSHARDT.

Stand, I command you, in the emperor's name.

TELL (seizing the pike).

What would ye? Wherefore do ye stop my path?

FRIESSHARDT.

You've broke the mandate, and must go with us.

LEUTHOLD.

You have not done obeisance to the cap.

TELL.

Friend, let me go.

FRIESSHARDT.

Away, away to prison!

WALTER.

Father to prison! Help!

[Calling to the side scene.

This way, you men!

Good people, help! They're dragging him to prison!

[ROSSELMANN, the priest, and the SACRISTAN, with three other men, enter.

SACRISTAN.

What's here amiss?

ROSSELMANN.

Why do you seize this man?

FRIESSHARDT.

He is an enemy of the king--a traitor!

TELL (seizing him with violence).

A traitor, I!

ROSSELMANN.

Friend, thou art wrong. 'Tis Tell, An honest man, and worthy citizen.

WALTER (descries FURST, and runs up to him).

Grandfather, help! they want to seize my father!

FRIESSHARDT.

Away to prison!

FURST (running in).

Stay! I offer bail.

For G.o.d's sake, Tell, what is the matter here?

[MELCHTHAL and STAUFFACHER enter.

LEUTHOLD.

He has contemned the viceroy's sovereign power, Refusing flatly to acknowledge it.

STAUFFACHER.

Has Tell done this?

MELCHTHAL.

Villain, thou knowest 'tis false!