The German Classics of the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries - LightNovelsOnl.com
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Dear mother!
HEDWIG.
And, is it surely so? Art thou unhurt?
[_Gazing at him with anxious tenderness_.]
And is it possible he aim'd at thee?
How could he do it? Oh, he has no heart-- And he could wing an arrow at his child!
FuRST.
His soul was rack'd with anguish when he did it.
No choice was left him but to shoot or die!
HEDWIG.
Oh, if he had a father's heart, he would Have sooner perish'd by a thousand deaths!
STAUFF.
You should be grateful for G.o.d's gracious care, That ordered things so well.
HEDWIG.
Can I forget What might have been the issue. G.o.d in Heaven, Were I to live for centuries, I still Should see my boy tied up--his father's mark-- And still the shaft would quiver in my heart.
MELCH.
You know not how the Viceroy taunted him!
HEDWIG.
Oh, ruthless heart of man! Offend his pride, And reason in his breast forsakes her seat; In his blind wrath he'll stake upon a cast A child's existence, and a mother's heart!
BAUM.
Is then your husband's fate not hard enough, That you embitter it by such reproaches?
Have you no feeling for his sufferings?
HEDWIG (_turning to him and gazing full upon him_).
Hast thou tears only for thy friend's distress?
Say, where were you when he--my n.o.ble Tell-- Was bound in chains? Where was your friends.h.i.+p then?
The shameful wrong was done before your eyes; Patient you stood, and let your friend be dragg'd, Ay, from your very hands. Did ever Tell Act thus to you? Did he stand whining by, When on your heels the Viceroy's hors.e.m.e.n press'd, And full before you roared the storm-toss'd lake?
Oh not with idle tears his pity show'd!
Into the boat he sprang, forgot his home, His wife, his children, and delivered thee!
FuRST.
It had been madness to attempt his rescue, Unarmed, and few in numbers as we were.
HEDWIG (_casting herself upon his bosom_).
Oh, father, and thou, too, hast lost my Tell!
The country--all have lost him! All lament His loss; and, oh, how he must pine for us!
Heaven keep his soul from sinking to despair!
No friend's consoling voice can penetrate His dreary dungeon walls. Should he fall sick!
Ah! In the vapors of the murky vault He must fall sick. Even as the Alpine rose Grows pale and withers in the swampy air, There is no life for him but in the sun And in the breath of Heaven's fresh-blowing airs.
Imprison'd! Liberty to him is breath; He cannot live in the rank dungeon air!
STAUFF.
Pray you be calm! And hand in hand we'll all Combine to burst his prison doors.
HEDWIG.
He gone, What have you power to do? While Tell was free, There still, indeed, was hope--weak innocence Had still a friend, and the oppress'd a stay.
Tell saved you all! You cannot all combined Release him from his cruel prison bonds.
[_The_ BARON _wakes_.]
BAUM.
Hush, hus.h.!.+ He starts!
ATTINGHAUSEN (_sitting up_).
Where is he?
STAUFFACHER.
Who?
ATTINGHAUSEN.
He leaves me-- In my last moments he abandons me.
STAUFF.
He means his nephew. Have they sent for him?
FuRST.
He has been summoned. Cheer'ly, sir! Take comfort!
He has found his heart at last, and is our own.
ATTING.
