Wilhelm Tell Part 41

HEDWIG.

I momently expect him. But what ails you?

You look as one whose soul is ill at ease.

Whoe'er you be, you are in want; take that.

[Offers him the cup.

MONK.

Howe'er my sinking heart may yearn for food, I will take nothing till you've promised me----

HEDWIG.

Touch not my dress, nor yet advance one step.

Stand off, I say, if you would have me hear you.

MONK.

Oh, by this hearth's bright, hospitable blaze, By your dear children's heads, which I embrace----

[Grasps the boys.

HEDWIG.

Stand back, I say! What is your purpose, man?

Back from my boys! You are no monk,--no, no.

Beneath that robe content and peace should dwell, But neither lives within that face of thine.

MONK.

I am the veriest wretch that breathes on earth.

HEDWIG.

The heart is never deaf to wretchedness; But thy look freezes up my inmost soul.

WALTER (springs up).

Mother, my father!

HEDWIG.

Oh, my G.o.d!

[Is about to follow, trembles and stops.

WILHELM (running after his brother).

My father!

WALTER (without).

Thou'rt here once more!

WILHELM (without).

My father, my dear father!

TELL (without).

Yes, here I am once more! Where is your mother?

[They enter.

WALTER.

There at the door she stands, and can no further, She trembles so with terror and with joy.

TELL.

Oh Hedwig, Hedwig, mother of my children!

G.o.d has been kind and helpful in our woes.

No tyrant's hand shall e'er divide us more.

HEDWIG (falling on his neck).

Oh, Tell, what have I suffered for thy sake!

[Monk becomes attentive.

TELL.

Forget it now, and live for joy alone!

I'm here again with you! This is my cot I stand again on mine own hearth!

WILHELM.

But, father, Where is your crossbow left? I see it not.

TELL.

Nor shalt thou ever see it more, my boy.

It is suspended in a holy place, And in the chase shall ne'er be used again.

HEDWIG.

Oh, Tell, Tell!

[Steps back, dropping his hand.

TELL.

What alarms thee, dearest wife?

HEDWIG.

How--how dost thou return to me? This hand-- Dare I take hold of it? This hand--Oh G.o.d!

TELL (with firmness and animation).

Has s.h.i.+elded you and set my country free; Freely I raise it in the face of Heaven.

[MONK gives a sudden start--he looks at him.

Who is this friar here?

HEDWIG.

Ah, I forgot him.

Speak thou with him; I shudder at his presence.

MONK (stepping nearer).