You would not harm your boy.
[Tell stands with his body bent forwards, as if still following the
arrow. His bow drops from his hand. When he sees the boy advancing, he
hastens to meet him with open arms, and, embracing him passionately,
sinks down with him quite exhausted. All crowd round them deeply
affected.]
BERTH.
Oh, ye kind Heavens!
FURST (to father and son).
My children, my dear children!
STAUFF.
God be praised!
LEUTH.
Almighty powers! That was a shot indeed!
It will be talked of to the end of time.
HAR.
This feat of Tell, the archer, will be told
Long as these mountains stand upon their base.
[Hands the apple to Gessler.]
GESSL.
By Heaven! the apple's cleft right through the core.
It was a master shot, I must allow.
ROSSEL.
The shot was good. But woe to him who drove
The man to tempt his God by such a feat!
STAUFF.
Cheer up, Tell, rise! You've nobly freed yourself,
And now may go in quiet to your home.
ROSSEL.
Come, to the mother let us bear her son!
[They are about to lead him off.]
GESSL.
A word, Tell.
TELL.
Sir, your pleasure?
GESSL.
Thou didst place
A second arrow in thy belt-nay, nay!
I saw it well. Thy purpose with it? Speak!
TELL (confused).
It is a custom with all archers, sir.
GESSL.
No, Tell, I cannot let that answer pass.
There was some other motive, well I know.
Frankly and cheerfully confess the truth;-
Whate'er it be, I promise thee thy life.
Wherefore the second arrow?
TELL.
Well, my lord,
Since you have promised not to take my life,
I will, without reserve, declare the truth.
[He draws the arrow from his belt, and fixes his eyes sternly upon the
governor.]
If that my hand had struck my darling child,
This second arrow I had aimed at you,
And, be assured, I should not then have miss'd.
GESSL.
Well, Tell, I promised thou shouldst have thy life;
I gave my knightly word, and I will keep it.
Yet, as I know the malice of thy thoughts,
I'll have thee carried hence, and safely penn'd,
Where neither sun nor moon shall reach thine eyes.
Thus from thy arrows I shall be secure.
Seize on him, guards, and bind him!
[They bind him.]
STAUFF.
How, my lord-
How can you treat in such a way a man
On whom God's hand has plainly been reveal'd?
GESSL.
Well, let us see if it will save him twice!
Remove him to my ship; I'll follow straight,
At Kussnacht I will see him safely lodged.
ROSSEL.
You dare not do't. Nor durst the Emperor's self
