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TELL. To Altdorf, to your father. HEDWIG. You have some dangerous enterprise in view? Confess! TELL. Why think you so? HEDWIG. Some scheme's on foot, Against the governors. There was a Diet Held on the Rootli that I know and you Are one of the confederacy I'm sure. TELL. I was not there. Yet will I not hold back Whene'er my country calls me to her aid.
The mountain pass is open. Follow me I see the rock, and little cross upon it: This is the spot; here is the Rootli. WINKELRIED. Hark! SEWA. The coast is clear. MEYER. None of our comrades come? We are the first, we Unterwaldeners. MELCHTHAL. How far is't in the night? BAUMGARTEN. The beacon watch Upon the Selisberg has just called two. MEYER. Hush! Hark!
You've held a Diet on the Rootli, I Know this, know all that was transacted there! And though I was not trusted with your secret, I still have kept it like a sacred pledge. Trust me, I never was my country's foe, Nor would I ever have ranged myself against you! Yet you did wrong to put your rising off. Time presses! We must strike, and swiftly, too!
SEVERAL VOICES. Destroy the emblem of the tyrant's power! Let it burn! FURST. No. Rather be preserved! 'Twas once the instrument of despots now 'Twill be a lasting symbol of our freedom. MELCHTHAL. Thus now, my friends, with light and merry hearts, We stand upon the wreck of tyranny; And gallantly have we fulfilled the oath, Which we at Rootli swore, confederates! FURST. The work is but begun.
TELL. You'll find her father with her, and some more, Who took the oath with you upon the Rootli; Bid them be resolute, and strong of heart, For Tell is free and master of his arm; They shall hear further news of me ere long. FISHERMAN. What have you, then, in view? Come, tell me frankly! TELL. When once 'tis done 'twill be in every mouth. FISHERMAN. Show him the way, boy. Heaven be his support!
FISHERMAN. The public road leads by the way of Steinen, But there's a nearer road, and more retired, That goes by Lowerz, which my boy can show you. May heaven reward your kindness! Fare ye well! Did not you also take the oath at Rootli? I heard your name, methinks. FISHERMAN. Yes, I was there, And took the oath of the confederacy;
On the lake's left bank, As we sail hence to Brunnen, right against The Mytenstein, deep-hidden in the wood A meadow lies, by shepherds called the Rootli, Because the wood has been uprooted there. 'Tis where our Canton boundaries verge on yours; Your boat will carry you across from Schwytz. Thither by lonely by-paths let us wend At midnight and deliberate o'er our plans.
From out the ruins of the tyrant's power Alone can she be rescued from the grave. Their strongholds must be levelled! Everyone, Ere we can pierce into her gloomy prison. MELCHTHAL. Come, lead us on! We follow! Why defer Until to-morrow what to-day may do? Tell's arm was free when we at Rootli swore, This foul enormity was yet undone. And change of circumstance brings change of law.
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