Chapter 66

_A high rocky shore of the lake of Lucerne opposite Schwytz. The lake makes a bend into the land; a hut stands at a short distance from the shore; the fisher boy is rowing about in his boat. Beyond the lake are seen the green meadows, the hamlets and farms of Schwytz, lying in the clear sunshine. On the left are observed the peaks of the Hacken, surrounded with clouds; to the right, and in the remote distance, appear the Glaciers. The Ranz des Vaches, and the tinkling of cattle bells, continue for some time after the rising of the curtain._

FISHER BOY (_sings in his boat_) _Melody of the Ranz des Vaches_

The smile-dimpled lake woo'd to bathe in its deep, A boy on its green shore had laid him to sleep; Then heard he a melody Floating along, Sweet as the notes Of an angel's song. And as thrilling with pleasure he wakes from his rest, The waters are rippling over his breast; And a voice from the deep cries, "With me thou must go, I charm the young shepherd, I lure him below."

HERDSMAN (_on the mountains_) _Air--Variation of the Ranz des Vaches_

Farewell, ye green meadows, Farewell, sunny shore, The herdsman must leave you, The summer is o'er. We go to the hills, but you'll see us again, When the cuckoo calls, and the merry birds sing, When the flowers bloom afresh in glade and in glen, And the brooks sparkle bright in the sunshine of Spring. Farewell, ye green meadows, Farewell, sunny shore, The herdsman must leave you, The summer is o'er.

CHAMOIS HUNTER (_appearing on the top of a cliff_) _Second Variation of the Ranz des Vaches_

On the heights peals the thunder, and trembles the bridge, The huntsman bounds on by the dizzying ridge. Undaunted he hies him O'er ice-covered wild, Where leaf never budded, Nor Spring ever smiled; And beneath him an ocean of mist, where his eye No longer the dwellings of man can espy; Through the parting clouds only The earth can be seen; Far down 'neath the vapor The meadows of green.

[_A change comes over the landscape. A rumbling, cracking noise is heard among the mountains. Shadows of clouds sweep across the scene_.]

[RUODI, _the fisherman, comes out of his cottage_. WERNI, _the huntsman, descends from the rocks_. KUONI, _the shepherd, enters, with a milkpail on his shoulders, followed by_ SEPPI, _his assistant_.]

RUODI.

Come, Jenni, bustle, get the boat on shore. The grizzly Vale-King[37] comes, the Glaciers moan, The Mytenstein[38] is drawing on his hood, And from the Stormcleft chilly blows the wind; The storm will burst, before we know what's what.

KUONI.

'Twill rain ere long; my sheep browse eagerly, And Watcher there is scraping up the earth.

WERNI.

The fish are leaping, and the water-hen Keeps diving up and down. A storm is brewing.

KUONI. (_to his boy_).

Look, Seppi, if the beasts be all in sight.

SEPPI.

There goes brown Liesel, I can hear her bells.

KUONI.

Then all are safe; she ever ranges farthest.

RUODI.

You've a fine chime of bells there, master herdsman.

WERNI.

And likely cattle, too. Are they your own?

KUONI.

I'm not so rich. They are the noble lord's Of Attinghaus, and told off to my care.

RUODI.

How gracefully yon heifer bears her ribbon!

KUONI.

Ay, well she knows she's leader of the herd, And, take it from her, she'd refuse to feed.

RUODI.

You're joking now. A beast devoid of reason--

WERNI.

Easily said. But beasts have reason, too-- And that we know, we chamois-hunters, well. They never turn to feed--sagacious creatures! Till they have placed a sentinel ahead, Who pricks his ears whenever we approach, And gives alarm with clear and piercing pipe.

RUODI. (_to the shepherd_).

Are you for home?

KUONI.

The Alp is grazed quite bare.

WERNI.

A safe return, my friend!

KUONI.

The same to you! Men come not always back from tracks like yours.

RUODI.

But who comes here, running at topmost speed?

WERNI.

I know the man; 'tis Baumgart of Alzellen.

KONRAD BAUMGARTEN (_rushing in breathless_).

For God's sake, ferryman, your boat!

RUODI.

How now? Why all this haste?

BAUM.

Cast off! My life's at stake! Set me across!

KUONI.

Why, what's the matter, friend?

WERNI.

Who are pursuing you? First tell us that.

BAUM. (_to the fisherman_).

Quick, quick, man, quick! they're close upon my heels! It is the Viceroy's men are after me; If they should overtake me, I am lost.

RUODI.

Why are the troopers in pursuit of you?

BAUM.

First make me safe and then I'll tell you all.

WERNI.

There's blood upon your garments--how is, this?

BAUM.

The Imperial Seneschal, who dwelt at Rossberg--

KUONI.

How! What! The Wolfshot?[39] Is it he pursues you?

BAUM.

He'll ne'er hurt man again; I've settled him.

ALL (_starting back_).

Now, God forgive you, what is this you've done!

BAUM.

What every free man in my place had done. Mine own good household right I have enforced 'Gainst him that would have wrong'd my wife--my honor.

KUONI.

How! Wronged you in your honor, did he so?

BAUM.

That he did not fulfil his foul desire, Is due to God and to my trusty axe.

WERNI.

And you have cleft his skull then, with your axe?

KUONI.

O, tell us all! You've time enough, and more, While he is getting out the boat there from the beach.

BAUM.

When I was in the forest felling timber, My wife came running out in mortal fear. "The Seneschal," she said, "was in my house, Had order'd her to get a bath prepared, And thereupon had ta'en unseemly freedoms, From which she rid herself, and flew to me." Arm'd as I was, I sought him, and my axe Has given his bath a bloody benison.

WERNI.

And you did well; no man can blame the deed.

KUONi.

The tyrant! Now he has his just reward! We men of Unterwald have owed it long.

BAUM.

The deed got wind, and now they're in pursuit. Heavens! whilst we speak, the time is flying fast.

[_It begins to thunder_.]

KUONI.

Quick, ferryman, and set the good man over.

RUODI.

Impossible! a storm is close at hand, Wait till it pass! You must.

BAUM.

Almighty heavens! I cannot wait; the least delay is death.

KUONI (_to the fisherman_).

Push out--God with you! We should help our neighbors; The like misfortune may betide us all.

[_Thunder and the roaring of the wind_.]

RUODI.

The south wind's up![40] See how the lake is rising! I cannot steer against both wind and wave.

BAUM. (_clasping him by the knees_).

God so help you as now you pity me!

WERNI.

His life's at stake. Have pity on him, man!

KUONI.

He is a father: has a wife and children.

[_Repeated peals of thunder_.]

RUODI.

What! and have I not, then, a life to lose, A wife and child at home as well as he? See how the breakers foam, and toss, and whirl, And the lake eddies up from all its depths! Right gladly would I save the worthy man, But 'tis impossible, as you must see.

BAUM. (_still kneeling_).

Then must I fall into the tyrant's hands, And with the shore of safety close in sight! Yonder it lies! My eyes can see it clear, My very voice can echo to its shores. There is the boat to carry me across, Yet must I lie here helpless and forlorn.

KUONI.

Look! who comes here?

RUODI.

'Tis Tell, ay, Tell, of Bürglen.[41]

[_Enter_ TELL _with a crossbow_.]

TELL.

What man is he that here implores for aid?

KUONI.

He is from Alzellen, and to guard his honor From touch of foulest shame, has slain the Wolf-shot, The Imperial Seneschal, who dwelt at Rossberg. The Viceroy's troopers are upon his heels; He begs the ferryman to take him over, But frightened at the storm he says he won't.

RUODI.

Well, there is Tell can steer as well as I, He'll be my judge, if it be possible.

[_Violent peals of thunder--the lake becomes more tempestuous_.]

Am I to plunge into the jaws of hell? I should be mad to dare the desperate act.

TELL.

The brave man thinks upon himself the last. Put trust in God, and help him in his need!

RUODI.

Safe in the port, 'tis easy to advise. There is the boat, and there the lake! Try you!

TELL.

The lake may pity, but the Viceroy never. Come, risk it, man!

SHEPHERD _and_ HUNTSMAN.

O save him! save him! save him!

RUODI.

Though 'twere my brother, or my darling child, I would not go. 'Tis Simon and Jude's day; The lake is up, and calling for its victim.

TELL.

Nought's to be done with idle talking here. Each moment's precious; the man must be help'd; Say, boatman, will you venture?

RUODI.

No; not I.

TELL.

In God's name, then, give me the boat! I will, With my poor strength, see what is to be done!

KUONI.

Ha, gallant Tell!

WERNI.

That's like a huntsman true.

BAUM.

You are my angel, my preserver, Tell.

TELL.

I may preserve you from the Viceroy's power, But from the tempest's rage another must. Yet better 'tis you fall into God's hands, Than into those of men.

[_To the herdsman_.]

Herdsman, do thou Console my wife if I should come to grief. I could not choose but do as I have done.

[_He leaps into the boat_.]

KUONI (_to the fisherman_).

A pretty man to keep a ferry, truly! What Tell could risk, you dared not venture on.

RUODI.

Far better men would never cope with Tell. There's no two such as he 'mong all our hills.

WERNI (_who has ascended a rock_).

Now he is off. God help thee, gallant sailor! Look how the little boat reels on the waves!

KUONI. (_on the shore_).

There! they have swept clean over it. And now 'Tis out of sight. Yet stay, there 'tis again! Stoutly he stems the breakers, noble fellow!

SEPPI.

Here come the troopers hard as they can ride!

KUONI.

Heavens! so they do! Why, that was help, indeed.

[_Enter a troop of horsemen_.]

1ST H.

Give up the murderer! You have him here!

2D H.

This way he came! 'Tis useless to conceal him!

RUODI _and_ KUONI.

Whom do you mean?

1ST H. (_discovering the boat_).

The devil! What do I see?

WERNI (_from above_).

Is't he in yonder boat ye seek? Ride on, If you lay to, you may o'ertake him yet.

2D H.

Curse on you, he's escaped!

1ST H. (_to the shepherd and fisherman_).

You help'd him off, And you shall pay for it! Fall on their herds! Down with the cottage! burn it! beat it down!

[_They rush off._]

SEPPI (_hurrying after them_).

Oh my poor lambs!

KUONI (_following him_).

Unhappy me, my herds!

WERNI.

The tyrants!

RUODI (_wringing his hands_). Righteous Heaven! Oh, when will come Deliverance to this doom-devoted land?

[_Exeunt severally_.]