FRIESS.

You've broke the mandate, and with us must go.

LEUTH.

You have not done obeisance to the cap.

TELL.

Friend, let me go.

FRIESS.

Away, away to prison!

WALTER.

Father to prison? Help!

[_Calling to the side scene_.]

This way, you men!

Good people, help! They're dragging him to prison!

[RoSSELMANN _the Priest, and the_ SACRISTAN, _with three other men, enter_.]

SACRIST.

What's here amiss?

RoSSELMANN.

Why do you seize this man?

FRIESS.

He is an enemy of the King--a traitor.

TELL (_seizing him with violence_).

A traitor, I?

RoSSELMANN.

Friend, thou art wrong. 'Tis Tell, An honest man, and worthy citizen.

WALTER (_descries_ FuRST _and runs up to him_).

Grandfather, help, they want to seize my father!

FRIESS. Away to prison!

FuRST (_running in_).

Stay, I offer bail.

For G.o.d's sake, Tell, what is the matter here?

[MELCHTHAL _and_ STAUFFACHER _enter_.]

LEUTH.

He has contemn'd the Viceroy's sovereign power, Refusing flatly to acknowledge it.

STAUFF.

Has Tell done this?

MELCHTHAL.

Villain, you know 'tis false!

LEUTH.

He has not made obeisance to the cap.

FuRST.

And shall for this to prison? Come, my friend, Take my security, and let him go.

FRIESS.

Keep your security for yourself--you'll need it.

We only do our duty. Hence with him.

MELCHTHAL (_to the country people_).

This is too bad--shall we stand by and see Him dragged away before our very eyes?

SACRIST.

We are the strongest. Friends, endure it not, Our countrymen will back us to a man.

FRIESS.

Who dares the governor's commands?

OTHER THREE PEASANTS (_running in_).