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!
HEDW.
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 not feeling for his sufferings?
HEDW. (turning to him and gazing full upon him).
Hast thou tears only for thy friend's distress?
Say, where were you when he-my noble Tell-
Was bound in chains? Where was your friendship 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 horsemen 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,
Unarm'd and few in numbers as we were!
HEDW. (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 vapours 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.
HEDW.
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, hush! He starts!
ATTING. (sitting up).
Where is he?
STAUFF.
Who?
ATTING.
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. Cheerly, sir! Take comfort!
He has found his heart at last, and is our own.
ATTING.
Say, has he spoken for his native land?
STAUFF.
Ay, like a hero!
ATTING.
Wherefore comes he not,
That he may take my blessing ere I die?
I feel my life fast ebbing to a close.
STAUFF.
Nay, talk not thus, dear sir! This last short sleep
Has much refresh'd you, and your eye is bright.
