Wilhelm Tell Part 32

From their old towers the n.o.bles are descending, And swearing in the towns the civic oath.

In Uechtland and Thurgau the work's begun; The n.o.ble Bern lifts her commanding head, And Freyburg is a stronghold of the free; The stirring Zurich calls her guilds to arms; And now, behold! the ancient might of kings Is s.h.i.+vered against her everlasting walls.

[He speaks what follows with a prophetic tone; his utterance rising into enthusiasm.

I see the princes and their haughty peers, Clad all in steel, come striding on to crush A harmless shepherd race with mailed hand.

Desperate the conflict: 'tis for life or death; And many a pa.s.s will tell to after years Of glorious victories sealed in foemen's blood. [25]

The peasant throws himself with naked breast, A willing victim on their serried lances.

They yield--the flower of chivalry's cut down, And freedom waves her conquering banner high!

[Grasps the hands Of WALTER FURST and STAUFFACHER.

Hold fast together, then--forever fast!

Let freedom's haunts be one in heart and mind!

Set watches on your mountain-tops, that league May answer league, when comes the hour to strike.

Be one--be one--be one----

[He falls back upon the cus.h.i.+on. His lifeless hands continue to grasp those of FURST and STAUFFACHER, who regard him for some moments in silence, and then retire, overcome with sorrow.

Meanwhile the servants have quietly pressed into the chamber, testifying different degrees of grief. Some kneel down beside him and weep on his body: while this scene is pa.s.sing the castle bell tolls.

RUDENZ (entering hurriedly).

Lives he? Oh, say, can he still hear my voice?

FURST (averting his face).

You are our seignior and protector now; Henceforth this castle bears another name.

RUDENZ (gazing at the body with deep emotion).

Oh, G.o.d! Is my repentance, then, too late?

Could he not live some few brief moments more, To see the change that has come o'er my heart?

Oh, I was deaf to his true counselling voice While yet he walked on earth. Now he is gone; Gone and forever,--leaving me the debt,-- The heavy debt I owe him--undischarged!

Oh, tell me! did he part in anger with me?

STAUFFACHER.

When dying he was told what you had done, And blessed the valor that inspired your words!

RUDENZ (kneeling downs beside the dead body).

Yes, sacred relics of a man beloved!

Thou lifeless corpse! Here, on thy death-cold hand, Do I abjure all foreign ties forever!

And to my country's cause devote myself.

I am a Switzer, and will act as one With my whole heart and soul.

[Rises.

Mourn for our friend, Our common parent, yet be not dismayed!

'Tis not alone his lands that I inherit,-- His heart--his spirit have devolved on me; And my young arm shall execute the task For which his h.o.a.ry age remained your debtor.

Give me your hands, ye venerable fathers!

Thine, Melchthal, too! Nay, do not hesitate, Nor from me turn distrustfully away.

Accept my plighted vow--my knightly oath!

FURST.

Give him your hands, my friends! A heart like his That sees and owns its error claims our trust.

MELCHTHAL.

You ever held the peasantry in scorn; What surety have we that you mean us fair?

RUDENZ.

Oh, think not of the error of my youth!

STAUFFACHER (to MELCHTHAL).

Be one! They were our father's latest words.

See they be not forgotten! Take my hand,-- A peasant's hand,--and with it, n.o.ble Sir, The gage and the a.s.surance of a man!

Without us, sir, what would the n.o.bles be?

Our order is more ancient, too, than yours!

RUDENZ.

I honor it, and with my sword will s.h.i.+eld it!

MELCHTHAL.

The arm, my lord, that tames the stubborn earth, And makes its bosom blossom with increase, Can also s.h.i.+eld a man's defenceless breast.

RUDENZ.

Then you shall s.h.i.+eld my breast and I will yours; Thus each be strengthened by the others' aid!

Yet wherefore talk we while our native land Is still to alien tyranny a prey?

First let us sweep the foeman from the soil, Then reconcile our difference in peace!

[After a moment's pause.

How! You are silent! Not a word for me?

And have I yet no t.i.tle to your trust?

Then must I force my way, despite your will, Into the league you secretly have formed.

You've held a Diet on the Rootli,--I Know this,--know all that was transacted there!

And though I was not trusted with your secret, I still have kept it like a sacred pledge.

Trust me, I never was my country's foe, Nor would I ever have ranged myself against you!

Yet you did wrong to put your rising off.

Time presses! We must strike, and swiftly, too!

Already Tell has fallen a sacrifice To your delay.

STAUFFACHER.

We swore to wait till Christmas.

RUDENZ.

I was not there,--I did not take the oath.

If you delay I will not!

MELCHTHAL.

What! You would----

RUDENZ.

I count me now among the country's fathers, And to protect you is my foremost duty.

FURST.

Within the earth to lay these dear remains, That is your nearest and most sacred duty.