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Updated: June 19, 2025
Then Stauffacher, Fuerst, and Melcthal, and the other conspirators, stepped forward, and, raising their hands, swore that they would die in defense of that freedom. After this solemn oath, and after an agreement that New Year's Day should be chosen for the outbreak, unless, in the meantime, a signal fire should arouse the inhabitants on some sudden emergency, the heroes separated.
STAUFFACHER. The assassins reap no profit by their crime; But we shall pluck with unpolluted hands The teeming fruits of their most bloody deed, For we are ransomed from our heaviest fear; The direst foe of liberty has fallen, And, 'tis reported, that the crown will pass From Hapsburg's house into another line. The empire is determined to assert Its old prerogative of choice, I hear.
"I don't wish to seem to boast at all," said Arnold of Sewa, "but I think I had better be one of the three." "I was thinking," said Werner Stauffacher, "that it would be a pity always to be chopping and changing. Why not choose the same three as were sent to Gessler?"
FURST. Continue, then, to pay your feudal service. WEILER. I'm tenant of the lords of Rappersweil. FURST. Continue, then, to pay them rent and tithe. ROSSELMANN. Of Zurich's lady, I'm the humble vassal. FURST. Give to the cloister what the cloister claims. STAUFFACHER. The empire only is my feudal lord. FURST. What needs must be, we'll do, but nothing further.
GERTRUDE. Whate'er great heaven inflicts we must endure; No heart of noble temper brooks injustice. STAUFFACHER. This house thy pride war, unrelenting war, Will burn it down. GERTRUDE. And did I think this heart Enslaved and fettered to the things of earth, With my own hand I'd hurl the kindling torch.
It came at last to insulting their wives and daughters; and the first man that attempted this, one Wolfenschiess, was struck dead by an angry husband; and when the brave wife of Stauffacher reflected how her turn might come next, she persuaded her husband to anticipate the danger.
"Do" said Gessler, "why, turn him out, to be sure. What need have these peasants for great houses?" So they rode on to Stauffacher's house. "Whose house is this?" he demanded. Stauffacher answered quietly, "My lord, this house belongs to the Emperor, and is yours and mine in fief to hold and use for his service."
All through the night he walked, until he came to the pretty house with its red roofs and many windows which had made Gessler so angry. Now there was no light in any of the windows, and all was still and quiet. But Tell knew in which of the rooms Stauffacher slept, and he knocked softly upon the window until he had aroused his friend. "William Tell!" said Stauffacher in astonishment.
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. Lives he? Oh, say, can he still hear my voice?
STAUFFACHER. They followed, when the Heribann went forth, The imperial standard, and they fought its battles! To Italy they marched in arms, to place The Caesars' crown upon the emperor's head. But still at home they ruled themselves in peace, By their own laws and ancient usages.
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