McGuffey's Fifth Eclectic Reader Part 35

Tell. Ready!-- I must be calm with such a mark to hit!

Don't touch me, child!--Don't speak to me!--Lead on!

DEFINITIONS.--Come'li-ness, that which is becoming or graceful. Port, manner of movement or walk. At-tire', dress, clothes. Tar'-nish, to soil, to sully. Av'a-lanche, a vast body of snow, earth, and ice, sliding down from a mountain. Vouch-safes', yields, conde-scends, gives. Wan'ton, luxuriant. Net'ted, caught in a net. Fledge'ling, a young bird.

Rec-og-ni'tion, acknowledgment of ac-quaintance. Pre-con-cert'ed, planned beforehand. Cai'tiff (pro. ka'tif), a mean villain. Thral'dom, bondage, slavery. Scan, to examine closely. Neth'er, lower, lying beneath. Blanch, to turn white. Gust, taste, relish.

NOTE.--William Tell is a legendary hero of Switzerland. The events of this drama are represented as occurring in 1307 A.D., when Austria held Switzerland under her control. Gesler, also a purely mythical personage, is one of the Austrian bailiffs. The legend relates that Gesler had his cap placed on a pole in the market place, and all the Swiss were required to salute it in pa.s.sing in recognition of his authority. Tell refusing to do this was arrested, and condemned to death. This and the following lesson narrate how the sentence was changed, and the result.

LXVIII. WILLIAM TELL. (Concluded.)

SCENE 2.--Enter slowly, people in evident distress--Officers, Sarnem, Gesler, Tell, Albert, and soldiers--one bearing Tell's bow and quiver--another with a basket of apples.

Ges. That is your ground. Now shall they measure thence A hundred paces. Take the distance.

Tell. Is the line a true one?

Ges. True or not, what is 't to thee?

Tell. What is 't to me? A little thing.

A very little thing; a yard or two Is nothing here or there--were it a wolf I shot at! Never mind.

Ges. Be thankful, slave, Our grace accords thee life on any terms.

Tell. I will be thankful, Gesler! Villain, stop!

You measure to the sun.

Ges. And what of that?

What matter whether to or from the sun?

Tell. I'd have it at my back. The sun should shine Upon the mark, and not on him that shoots.

I can not see to shoot against the sun: I will not shoot against the sun!

Ges. Give him his way! Thou hast cause to bless my mercy.

Tell. I shall remember it. I'd like to see The apple I'm to shoot at.

Ges. Stay! show me the basket! there!

Tell. You've picked the smallest one.

Ges. I know I have.

Tell. Oh, do you? But you see The color of it is dark: I'd have it light, To see it better.

Ges. Take it as it is; Thy skill will be the greater if thou hitt'st it.

Tell. True! true! I did not think of that; I wonder I did not think of that. Give me some chance To save my boy!-- I will not murder him, If I can help it--for the honor of The form thou wearest, if all the heart is gone.

(Throws away the apple with all his force.)

Ges. Well: choose thyself.

Tell. Have I a friend among the lookers-on?

Verner. (Rushing forward.) Here, Tell.

Tell. I thank thee, Verner!

He is a friend runs out into a storm To shake a hand with us. I must be brief.

When once the bow is bent, we can not take The shot too soon. Verner, whatever be The issue of this hour, the common cause Must not stand still. Let not to-morrow's sun Set on the tyrant's banner! Verner! Verner!

The boy! the boy! Thinkest thou he hath the courage To stand it?

Ver. Yes.

Tell. Does he tremble?

Ver. No.

Tell. Art sure?

Ver. I am.

Tell. How looks he?

Ver. Clear and smilingly.

If you doubt it, look yourself.

Tell. No, no, my friend: To hear it is enough.

Ver. He bears himself so much above his years--

Tell. I know! I know!

Ver. With constancy so modest--

Tell. I was sure he would--

Ver. And looks with such relying love And reverence upon you--

Tell. Man! Man! Man!

No more! Already I'm too much the father To act the man! Verner, no more, my friend!

I would be flint--flint--flint. Don't make me feel I'm not--do not mind me! Take the boy And set him, Verner, with his back to me.

Set him upon his knees, and place this apple Upon his head, so that the stem may front me.

Thus, Verner; charge him to keep steady; tell him I'll hit the apple! Verner, do all this More briefly than I tell it thee.

Ver. Come, Albert! (Leading him out.)

Alb. May I not speak with him before I go?