Oh, by this hearth's bright, hospitable blaze,
By your dear children's heads, which I embrace-
[Grasps the boys.]
HEDW.
Stand back, I say! What is your purpose, man?
Back from my boys! You are no monk,-no, no,
Beneath the robe you wear peace should abide,
But peace abides not in such looks as yours.
MONK.
I am the wretchedest of living men.
HEDW.
The heart is never deaf to wretchedness;
But your look freezes up my inmost soul.
WALT. (springs up).
Mother, here's father!
HEDW.
Oh, my God!
[Is about to follow, trembles and stops.]
WILL. (running after his brother).
My father!
WALT. (without).
Here, here once more!
WILL. (without).
My father, my dear father!
Tell (without).
Yes, here once more! Where is your mother, boys?
[They enter.]
WALT.
There at the door she stands, and can no further,
She trembles so with terror and with joy.
TELL.
Oh Hedwig, Hedwig, mother of my children!
God has been kind and helpful in our woes.
No tyrant's hand shall e'er divide us more.
HEDW. (falling on his neck).
Oh, Tell, what anguish have I borne for thee!
[Monk becomes attentive.]
TELL.
Forget it, now, and live for joy alone!
I'm here again with you! This is my cot!
I stand again upon mine own hearthstone!
WILL.
But, father, where's your crossbow? Not with you?
TELL.
Thou shalt not ever see it more, my boy.
Within a holy shrine it has been placed,
And in the chase shall ne'er be used again.
HEDW.
Oh, Tell! Tell!
[Steps back, dropping his hand.]
TELL.
What alarms thee, dearest wife?
HEDW.
How-how dost thou return to me? This hand-
Dare I take hold of it? This hand-Oh, God!
TELL (with firmness and animation).
Has shielded you and set my country free;
Freely I raise it in the face of Heaven.
[Monk gives a sudden start-he looks at him.]
Who is this friar here?
HEDW.
Ah, I forgot him;
Speak thou with him; I shudder at his presence.
MONK (stepping nearer).
Are you the Tell who slew the Governor?
TELL.
Yes, I am he. I hide the fact from no man.
MONK.
And you are Tell! Ah! it is God's own hand,
That hath conducted me beneath your roof.
