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A meadow surrounded by high rocks and wooded ground. On the rocks are tracks, with rails and ladders, by which the peasants are afterwards seen descending. In the background the lake is observed, and over it a moon rainbow in the early part of the scene.
The prospect is closed by lofty mountains, with glaciers rising behind them. The stage is dark, but the lake and glaciers glisten in the moonlight.
MELCHTHAL, BAUMGARTEN, WINKELRIED, MEYER VON SARNEN, BURKHART AM BUHEL, ARNOLD VON SEWA, KLAUS VON DER FLUE, and four other peasants, all armed.
MELCHTHAL (behind the scenes).
The mountain pa.s.s is open. Follow me I see the rock, and little cross upon it: This is the spot; here is the Rootli.
[They enter with torches.
WINKELRIED.
Hark!
SEWA.
The coast is clear.
MEYER.
None of our comrades come?
We are the first, we Unterwaldeners.
MELCHTHAL.
How far is't in the night?
BAUMGARTEN.
The beacon watch Upon the Selisberg has just called two.
[A bell is heard at a distance.
MEYER.
Hush! Hark!
BUHEL.
The forest chapel's matin bell Chimes clearly o'er the lake from Switzerland.
FLUE.
The air is clear, and bears the sound so far.
MELCHTHAL.
Go, you and you, and light some broken boughs, Let's bid them welcome with a cheerful blaze.
[Two peasants exeunt.
SEWA.
The moon shines fair to-night. Beneath its beams The lake reposes, bright as burnished steel.
BUHEL.
They'll have an easy pa.s.sage.
WINKELRIED (pointing to the lake).
Ha! look there!
See you nothing?
MEYER.
What is it? Ay, indeed!
A rainbow in the middle of the night.
MELCHTHAL.
Formed by the bright reflection of the moon!
FLUE.
A sign most strange and wonderful, indeed!
Many there be who ne'er have seen the like.
SEWA.
'Tis doubled, see, a paler one above!
BAUMGARTEN.
A boat is gliding yonder right beneath it.
MELCHTHAL.
That must be Werner Stauffacher! I knew The worthy patriot would not tarry long.
[Goes with BAUMGARTEN towards the sh.o.r.e.
MEYER.
The Uri men are like to be the last.
BUHEL.
They're forced to take a winding circuit through The mountains; for the viceroy's spies are out.
[In the meanwhile the two peasants have kindled a fire in the centre of the stage.
MELCHTHAL (on the sh.o.r.e).
Who's there? The word?
STAUFFACHER (from below).
Friends of the country.
[All retire up the stage, towards the party landing from the boat.
Enter STAUFFACHER, ITEL, REDING, HANS AUF DER MAUER, JORG IM HOPE, CONRAD HUNN, ULRICH DER SCHMIDT, JOST VON WEILER, and three other peasants, armed.
ALL.
Welcome!
[While the rest remain behind exchanging greetings, MELCHTHAL comes forward with STAUFFACHER.
MELCHTHAL.
Oh, worthy Stauffacher, I've looked but now On him, who could not look on me again.
I've laid my hands upon his rayless eyes, And on their vacant orbits sworn a vow Of vengeance, only to be cooled in blood.
