Wilhelm Tell Part 34

There's been a slide of earth in Glarus, and A whole side of the Glaernisch has fallen in.

TELL.

Strange! And do even the hills begin to totter?

There is stability for naught on earth.

STUSSI.

Strange tidings, too, we hear from other parts.

I spoke with one but now, that came from Baden, Who said a knight was on his way to court, And as he rode along a swarm of wasps Surrounded him, and settling on his horse, So fiercely stung the beast that it fell dead, And he proceeded to the court on foot.

TELL.

Even the weak are furnished with a sting.

[ARMGART (enters with several children, and places herself at the entrance of the pa.s.s).

STUSSI.

'Tis thought to bode disaster to the country, Some horrid deed against the course of nature.

TELL.

Why, every day brings forth such fearful deeds; There needs no miracle to tell their coming.

STUSSI.

Too true! He's blessed who tills his field in peace, And sits untroubled by his own fireside.

TELL.

The very meekest cannot rest in quiet, Unless it suits with his ill neighbor's humor.

[TELL looks frequently with restless expectation towards the top of the pa.s.s.

STUSSI.

So fare you well! You're waiting some one here?

TELL.

I am.

STUSSI.

A pleasant meeting with your friends!

You are from Uri, are you not? His grace The governor's expected thence to-day.

TRAVELLER (entering).

Look not to see the governor to-day.

The streams are flooded by the heavy rains, And all the bridges have been swept away.

[TELL rises.

ARMGART (coming forward).

The viceroy not arrived?

STUSSI.

And do you seek him?

ARMGART.

Alas, I do!

STUSSI.

But why thus place yourself Where you obstruct his pa.s.sage down the pa.s.s?

ARMGART.

Here he cannot escape me. He must hear me.

FRIESSHARDT (coming hastily down the pa.s.s, and calls upon the stage).

Make way, make way! My lord, the governor, Is coming down on horseback close behind me.

[Exit TELL.

ARMGART (with animation).

The viceroy comes!

[She goes towards the pa.s.s with her children.

GESSLER and RUDOLPH DER HARRAS appear upon the heights on horseback.

STUSSI (to FRIESSHARDT).

How got ye through the stream When all the bridges have been carried down?

FRIESSHARDT.

We've battled with the billows; and, my friend, An Alpine torrent's nothing after that.

STUSSI.

How! Were you out, then, in that dreadful storm?

FRIESSHARDT.

Ay, that we were! I shall not soon forget it.

STUSSI.

Stay, speak----

FRIESSHARDT.

I cannot. I must to the castle, And tell them that the governor's at hand.

[Exit.

STUSSI.

If honest men, now, had been in the ship, It had gone down with every soul on board:-- Some folks are proof 'gainst fire and water both.

[Looking round.

Where has the huntsman gone with whom I spoke?

[Exit.