The German Classics of the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries - novelonlinefull.com
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[_They retire up. Scene changes_.]
SCENE III
_A common near Altdorf. On an eminence in the background a Castle in progress of erection, and so far advanced that the outline of the whole may be distinguished. The back part is finished: men are working at the front. Scaffolding, on which the workmen are going up and down. A slater is seen upon the highest part of the roof. All is bustle and activity._
TASKMASTER, MASON, WORKMAN _and_ LABORERS
TASK. (_with a stick, urging on the workmen_).
Up, up! You've rested long enough. To work!
The stones here! Now the mortar, and the lime!
And let his lordship see the work advanced, When next he comes. These fellows crawl like snails!
[_To two laborers, with loads_.]
What! call ye that a load? Go, double it.
Is this the way ye earn your wages, laggards?
1ST. W.
'Tis very hard that we must bear the stones, To make a keep and dungeon for ourselves!
TASK.
What's that you mutter? 'Tis a worthless race, For nothing fit but just to milk their cows, And saunter idly up and down the hills.
OLD MAN (_sinks down exhausted_).
I can no more.
TASK. (_shaking him_).
Up, up, old man, to work!
1ST. W.
Have you no bowels of compa.s.sion, thus To press so hard upon a poor old man That scarce can drag his feeble limbs along?
MASTER MASON _and_ WORKMEN.
Shame, shame upon you--shame! It cries to heaven.
TASK.
Mind your own business. I but do my duty.
1ST W.
Pray, Master, what's to be the name of this Same castle, when 'tis built?
TASK.
The Keep of Uri; For by it we shall keep you in subjection.
WORK.
The Keep of Uri?
TASK.
Well, why laugh at that?
2D W.
Keep Uri, will you, with this paltry place!
1ST W.
How many molehills such as that must first Be piled up each on each, ere you make A mountain equal to the least in Uri?
[TASKMASTER _retires up the stage_.]
MAS. M.
I'll drown the mallet in the deepest lake, That served my hand on this accursed pile.
[_Enter_ TELL _and_ STAUFFACHER.]
STAUFF.
O, that I had not lived to see this sight!
TELL.
Here 'tis not good to be. Let us proceed.
STAUFF.
Am I in Uri--Uri, freedom's home?
MAS. M.
O, Sir, if you could only see the vaults Beneath these towers. The man that tenants them Will ne'er hear c.o.c.k crow more.
STAUFF.
