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The BARON, a gray-headed man, eighty-five years old, tall, and of a commanding mien, clad in a furred pelisse, and leaning on a staff tipped with chamois horn. KUONI and six hinds standing round him, with rakes and scythes. ULRICH OF RUDENZ enters in the costume of a knight. RUDENZ. Uncle, I'm here! Your will?
Armed as I was I sought him, and my axe Has given his bath a bloody benediction. WERNI. And you did well; no man can blame the deed. KUONI. The tyrant! Now he has his just reward! We men of Unterwald have owed it long. BAUMGARTEN. The deed got wind, and now they're in pursuit. Heavens! whilst we speak, the time is flying fast. KUONI. Quick, ferrymen, and set the good man over.
Till they have placed a sentinel ahead, Who pricks his ears whenever we approach, And gives alarm with clear and piercing pipe. Are you for home? KUONI. The Alp is grazed quite bare. WERNI. A safe return, my friend! KUONI. The same to you? Men come not always back from tracks like yours. RUODI. But who comes here, running at topmost speed? WERNI. I know the man; 'tis Baumgart of Alzellen.
BAUMGARTEN. What every free man in my place had done. I have but used mine own good household right 'Gainst him that would have wronged my wife my honor. KUONI. And has he wronged you in your honor, then? BAUMGARTEN. That he did not fulfil his foul desire Is due to God and to my trusty axe. WERNI. You've cleft his skull, then, have you, with your axe? KUONI. Oh, tell us all!
KUONI. Ay, well she knows she's leader of the herd, And, take it from her, she'd refuse to feed. RUODI. You're joking now. A beast devoid of reason. WERNI. That's easy said. But beasts have reason too And that we know, we men that hunt the chamois. They never turn to feed sagacious creatures!
For God's sake, ferryman, your boat! RUODI. How now? Why all this haste? BAUMGARTEN. Cast off! My life's at stake! Set me across! KUONI. Why, what's the matter, friend? WERNI. Who are pursuing you? First tell us that. Quick, quick, even now they're close upon my heels! The viceroy's horsemen are in hot pursuit! I'm a lost man should they lay hands upon me.
Then must I fall into the tyrant's hands, And with the port of safety close in sight! Yonder it lies! My eyes can measure it, My very voice can echo to its shores. There is the boat to carry me across, Yet must I lie here helpless and forlorn. KUONI. Look! who comes here? RUODI. 'Tis Tell, brave Tell, of Buerglen. TELL. Who is the man that here implores for aid?
A rumbling, cracking noise is heard among the mountains. Shadows of clouds sweep across the scene. WERNI, the huntsman, descends from the rocks. KUONI, the shepherd, enters, with a milk pail on his shoulders, followed by SERPI, his assistant. RUODI. Bestir thee, Jenni, haul the boat on shore.
KUONI. Heavens! so they do! Why, that was help, indeed. FIRST HORSEMAN. Give up the murderer! You have him here! SECOND HORSEMAN. This way he came! 'Tis useless to conceal him! RUODI and KUONI. Whom do you mean? The devil! What do I see? Is't he in yonder boat ye seek? Ride on, If you lay to, you may o'ertake him yet. SECOND HORSEMAN. Curse on you, he's escaped!
WERNI. His life's at stake. Have pity on him, man! KUONI. He is a father: has a wife and children. RUODI. What! and have I not, then, a life to lose, A wife and child at home as well as he? See, how the breakers foam, and toss, and whirl, And the lake eddies up from all its depths! Right gladly would I save the worthy man, But 'tis impossible, as you must see.
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