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Updated: June 22, 2025
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.
They were determined to rebel and to throw off his tyrannous yoke, but they preferred to do it quietly and comfortably, when he was nowhere near. So they ran away to the edge of the meadow, and stood there in groups, waiting to see what was going to happen. Not even Ulric the smith and Ruodi the fisherman waited, though they knew quite well that Tell had not nearly finished his speech.
RUODI. Though 'twere my brother, or my darling child, I would not go. It is St. Simon's day, The lake is up, and calling for its victim. TELL. Naught's to be done with idle talking here. Time presses on the man must be assisted. Say, boatman, will you venture? RUODI. No; not I. TELL. In God's name, then, give me the boat! I will With my poor strength, see what is to be done!
FURST. Thank God, our victory's unstained by blood! Liberty! Liberty! Hurrah, we're free! FURST. Oh! what a joyous scene! These children will, E'en to their latest day, remember it. The whole stage is filled with people. RUODI. Here is the cap, to which we were to bow! BAUMGARTEN. Command us, how we shall dispose of it. FURST. Heavens! 'Twas beneath this cap my grandson stood!
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.
RUODI. Far better men than I would not ape Tell. There does not live his fellow 'mong the mountains. He pushes off. God help thee now, brave sailor! Look how his bark is reeling on the waves! The surge has swept clean over it. And now 'Tis out of sight. Yet stay, there 'tis again Stoutly he stems the breakers, noble fellow! SEPPI. Here come the troopers hard as they can ride!
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.
Speech! Speech!" Ulric the smith and Ruodi the fisherman hoisted Tell on to their shoulders, and, having coughed once or twice, he said: "Gentlemen " Cheers from the crowd. "Gentlemen," said Tell again, "this is the proudest moment of my life." More cheers. "I don't know what you want me to talk about. I have never made a speech before. Excuse my emotion. This is the proudest moment of my life.
We must be firm. For, be assured, the king will make all speed, To avenge his viceroy's death, and reinstate, By force of arms, the tyrant we've expelled. MELCHTHAL. Why, let him come, with all his armaments! The foe within has fled before our arms; We'll give him welcome warmly from without! RUODI. The passes to the country are but few; And these we'll boldly cover with our bodies.
Look, Seppi, if the cattle are not straying. SEPPI. There goes brown Liesel, I can hear her bells. KUONI. Then all are safe; she ever ranges farthest. RUODI. You've a fine yoke of bells there, master herdsman. WERNI. And likely cattle, too. Are they your own? KUONI. I'm not so rich. They are the noble lord's Of Attinghaus, and trusted to my care. RUODI. How gracefully yon heifer bears her ribbon!
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