[It begins to thunder.

KUONI.

Quick, ferrymen, and set the good man over.

RUODI.

Impossible! a storm is close at hand, Wait till it pa.s.s! You must.

BAUMGARTEN.

Almighty heavens!

I cannot wait; the least delay is death.

KUONI (to the fisherman).

Push out. G.o.d with you! We should help our neighbors; The like misfortune may betide us all.

[Thunder and the roaring of the wind.

RUODI.

The south wind's up! [4] See how the lake is rising!

I cannot steer against both storm and wave.

BAUMGARTEN (clasping him by the knees).

G.o.d so help you, as now you pity me!

WERNI.

His life's at stake. Have pity on him, man!

KUONI.

He is a father: has a wife and children.

[Repeated peals of thunder.

RUODI.

What! and have I not, then, a life to lose, A wife and child at home as well as he?

See, how the breakers foam, and toss, and whirl, And the lake eddies up from all its depths!

Right gladly would I save the worthy man, But 'tis impossible, as you must see.

BAUMGARTEN (still kneeling).

Then must I fall into the tyrant's hands, And with the port of safety close in sight!

Yonder it lies! My eyes can measure it, My very voice can echo to its sh.o.r.es.

There is the boat to carry me across, Yet must I lie here helpless and forlorn.

KUONI.

Look! who comes here?

RUODI.

'Tis Tell, brave Tell, of Buerglen. [5]

[Enter TELL, with a crossbow.

TELL.

Who is the man that here implores for aid?

KUONI.

He is from Alzellen, and to guard his honor From touch of foulest shame, has slain the Wolfshot!

The imperial seneschal, who dwelt at Rossberg.

The viceroy's troopers are upon his heels; He begs the boatman here to take him over, But he, in terror of the storm, refuses.

RUODI.

Well, there is Tell can steer as well as I.

He'll be my judge, if it be possible.

[Violent peals of thunder--the lake becomes more tempestuous.

Am I to plunge into the jaws of h.e.l.l?

I should be mad to dare the desperate act.

TELL.

The brave man thinks upon himself the last.

Put trust in G.o.d, and help him in his need!

RUODI.

Safe in the port, 'tis easy to advise.

There is the boat, and there the lake! Try you!

TELL.

The lake may pity, but the viceroy will not.

Come, venture, man!

SHEPHERD and HUNTSMAN.

Oh, save him! save him! save him!

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 a.s.sisted.

Say, boatman, will you venture?

RUODI.

No; not I.

TELL.

In G.o.d's name, then, give me the boat! I will With my poor strength, see what is to be done!

KUONI.

Ha, n.o.ble Tell!

WERNI.