Desp'rate the conflict; 'tis for life or death;
And many a pass will tell to after years
Of glorious victories sealed in foeman's blood.[*]
The peasant throws himself with naked breast,
A willing victim on their serried spears;
They yield-the flower of chivalry's cut down,
And Freedom waves her conquering banner high.
[*] An allusion to the gallant self-devotion of Arnold Struthan of
Winkelried, at the battle of Sempach [9th July, 1386], who broke
the Austrian phalanx by rushing on their lances, grasping as many
of them as he could reach, and concentrating them upon his breast.
The confederates rushed forward through the gap thus opened by the
sacrifice of their comrade, broke and cut down their enemy's
ranks, and soon became the masters of the field. 'Dear and
faithful confederates, I will open you a passage. Protect my wife
and children,' were the words of Winkelried, as he rushed to
death.
[Grasps the hands of Walter Furst and Stauffacher.]
Hold fast together, then,-forever fast! Let freedom's haunts be one
in heart and mind! Set watches on your mountain tops, that league May
answer league, when comes the hour to strike. Be one-be one-be one-
[He falls back upon the cushion. His lifeless hands continue to grasp
those of Furst and Stauffacher, who regard him for some moments in
silence, and then retire, overcome with sorrow. Meanwhile the servants
have quietly pressed into the chamber, testifying different degrees of
grief. Some kneel down beside him and weep on his body: while this
scene is passing, the castle bell tolls.]
RUD. (entering hurriedly).
Lives he? Oh say, can he still hear my voice?
FURST. (averting his face).
You are our seignior and protector now;
Henceforth this castle bears another name.
RUD. (gazing at the body with deep emotion).
Oh, God! Is my repentance, then, too late?
Could he not live some few brief moments more,
To see the change that has come o'er my heart?
Oh, I was deaf to his true counselling voice,
While yet he walked on earth. Now he is gone,-
Gone, and forever,-leaving me the debt-
The heavy debt I owe him-undischarged!
Oh, tell me! did he part in anger with me?
STAUFF.
When dying, he was told what you had done,
And bless'd the valour that inspired your words!
RUD. (kneeling down beside the dead body).
Yes, sacred relics of a man beloved!
Thou lifeless corpse! Here, on thy death-cold hand
Do I abjure all foreign ties for ever!
And to my country's cause devote myself.
I am a Switzer, and will act as one,
With my whole heart and soul.
[Rises.]
Mourn for our friend,
Our common parent, yet be not dismay'd!
'Tis not alone his lands that I inherit,-
His heart-his spirit have devolved on me;
And my young arm shall execute the task,
Which in his hoary age he could not pay.
Give me your hands, ye venerable sires!
Thine, Melchthal, too! Nay, do not hesitate,
Nor from me turn distrustfully away.
Accept my plighted vow-my knightly oath!
FURST.
Give him your hands, my friends! A heart like his,
That sees and owns its error, claims our trust.
MELCH.
You ever held the peasantry in scorn,
What surety have we, that you mean us fair?
RUD.
Oh, think not of the error of my youth!
STAUFF. (to Melch.).
Be one! They were our father's latest words.
See they be not forgotten!
MELCH.
Take my hand,-
A peasant's hand,-and with it, noble sir,
The gage and the assurance of a man!
Without us, sir, what would the nobles be?
Our order is more ancient, too, than yours!
RUD.
I honour it-will shield it with my sword!
MELCH.
The arm, my lord, that tames the stubborn earth,
