Wilhelm Tell Part 29

BOY.

Where is the viceroy?

TELL.

Drifting on the waves.

FISHERMAN.

Is't possible? But you! How are you here?

How 'scaped you from your fetters and the storm?

TELL.

By G.o.d's most gracious providence. Attend.

FISHERMAN and BOY.

Say on, say on!

TELL.

You know what pa.s.sed at Altdorf?

FISHERMAN.

I do--say on!

TELL.

How I was seized and bound, And ordered by the governor to Kuessnacht.

FISHERMAN.

And how with you at Flueelen he embarked.

All this we know. Say, how have you escaped?

TELL.

I lay on deck, fast bound with cords, disarmed, In utter hopelessness. I did not think Again to see the gladsome light of day, Nor the dear faces of my wife and children; And eyed disconsolate the waste of waters----

FISHERMAN.

Oh, wretched man!

TELL.

Then we put forth; the viceroy, Rudolph der Harras, and their suite. My bow And quiver lay astern beside the helm; And just as we had reached the corner, near The Little Axen [24], heaven ordained it so, That from the Gotthardt's gorge, a hurricane Swept down upon us with such headlong force, That every rower's heart within him sank, And all on board looked for a watery grave.

Then heard I one of the attendant train, Turning to Gessler, in this strain accost him: "You see our danger, and your own, my lord And that we hover on the verge of death.

The boatmen there are powerless from fear, Nor are they confident what course to take; Now, here is Tell, a stout and fearless man, And knows to steer with more than common skill.

How if we should avail ourselves of him In this emergency?" The viceroy then Addressed me thus: "If thou wilt undertake To bring us through this tempest safely, Tell, I might consent to free thee from thy bonds."

I answered, "Yes, my lord, with G.o.d's a.s.sistance, I'll see what can be done, and help us heaven!"

On this they loosed me from my bonds, and I Stood by the helm and fairly steered along; Yet ever eyed my shooting-gear askance, And kept a watchful eye upon the sh.o.r.e, To find some point where I might leap to land And when I had descried a shelving crag, That jutted, smooth atop, into the lake----

FISHERMAN.

I know it. 'Tis at foot of the Great Axen; But looks so steep, I never could have dreamed 'Twere possible to leap it from the boat.

TELL.

I bade the men put forth their utmost might, Until we came before the shelving crag.

For there, I said, the danger will be past!

Stoutly they pulled, and soon we neared the point; One prayer to G.o.d for his a.s.sisting grace, And straining every muscle, I brought round The vessel's stern close to the rocky wall; Then s.n.a.t.c.hing up my weapons, with a bound I swung myself upon the flattened shelf, And with my feet thrust off, with all my might, The puny bark into the h.e.l.l of waters.

There let it drift about, as heaven ordains!

Thus am I here, delivered from the might Of the dread storm, and man, more dreadful still.

FISHERMAN.

Tell, Tell, the Lord has manifestly wrought A miracle in thy behalf! I scarce Can credit my own eyes. But tell me, now, Whither you purpose to betake yourself?

For you will be in peril should the viceroy Chance to escape this tempest with his life.

TELL.

I heard him say, as I lay bound on board, His purpose was to disembark at Brunnen; And, crossing Schwytz, convey me to his castle.

FISHERMAN.

Means he to go by land?

TELL.

So he intends.

FISHERMAN.

Oh, then, conceal yourself without delay!

Not twice will heaven release you from his grasp.

TELL.

Which is the nearest way to Arth and Kuessnacht?

FISHERMAN.

The public road leads by the way of Steinen, But there's a nearer road, and more retired, That goes by Lowerz, which my boy can show you.

TELL (gives him his hand).

May heaven reward your kindness! Fare ye well!

[As he is going he comes back.

Did not you also take the oath at Rootli?

I heard your name, methinks.

FISHERMAN.

Yes, I was there, And took the oath of the confederacy;

TELL.

Then do me this one favor; speed to Buerglen My wife is anxious at my absence--tell her That I am free, and in secure concealment.

FISHERMAN.

But whither shall I tell her you have fled?

TELL.

You'll find her father with her, and some more, Who took the oath with you upon the Rootli; Bid them be resolute, and strong of heart, For Tell is free and master of his arm; They shall hear further news of me ere long.

FISHERMAN.

What have you, then, in view? Come, tell me frankly!

TELL.