TELL.

I shun him, therefore, and he'll not seek me.

HEDWIG.

But stay away today. Go hunt instead!

TELL.

What do you fear?

HEDWIG.

I am uneasy. Stay!

TELL.

Why thus distress yourself without a cause?

HEDWIG.

Because there is no cause. Tell, Tell! stay here!

TELL.

Dear wife, I gave my promise I would go.

HEDWIG.

Must you--then go. But leave the boys with me.

WALTER.

No, mother dear, I go with father, I.

HEDWIG.

How, Walter! will you leave your mother then?

WALTER.

I'll bring you pretty things from grandpa.

_[Exit with his father.]_

WILLIAM.

Mother, I'll stay with you!

HEDWIG _(embracing him_).

Yes, yes! thou art My own dear child. Thou'rt all that's left to me.

_[She goes to the gate of the court and looks anxiously after_ TELL _and her son for a considerable time.]_

SCENE II

_A retired part of the Forest.-Brooks dashing in spray over the rocks._

_Enter_ BERTHA _in a hunting dress. Immediately afterward_ RUDENZ

BERTHA.

He follows me. Now, then, to speak my mind!

RUDENZ _(entering hastily)._

At length, dear lady, we have met alone In this wild dell, with rocks on every side, No jealous eye can watch our interview.

Now let my heart throw off this weary silence.

BERTHA.

But are you sure they will not follow us?

RUDENZ.

See, yonder goes the chase! Now, then, or never!

I must avail me of this precious chance-- Must hear my doom decided by thy lips, Though it should part me from thy side forever.

Oh, do not arm that gentle face of thine With looks so stern and harsh! Who--who am I, That dare aspire so high, as unto thee?

Fame hath not stamp'd me yet; nor may I take My place amid the courtly throng of knights, That, crown'd with glory's l.u.s.tre, woo thy smiles.

Nothing have I to offer but a heart That overflows with truth and love for thee.

BERTHA _(sternly and with severity)_.

And dare you speak to me of love--of truth!

You, that are faithless to your nearest ties!

You, that are Austria's slave-bartered and sold To her--an alien, and your country's tyrant!

RUDENZ.

How! This reproach from thee! Whom do I seek, On Austria's side, my own beloved, but thee?

BERTHA.

Think you to find me in the traitor's ranks?

Now, as I live, I'd rather give my hand To Gessler's self, all despot though he be, Than to the Switzer who forgets his birth, And stoops to be a tyrant's servile tool.