130 Where is the apple?-Ere all's ready, 't will TELL. It were done-I know. It shall be done to-morrow, wilt thou grant The time. 'Tis night already! GESSLER. Well-to-morrow! Take them to separate dungeons! 135 TELL. To the same! He's but a child!-He has his part to play! I would prepare him for it!-It may be His last night. Let him spend it with his father! GESSLER. To the same dungeon! 140 TELL. Now, my child, thy hand! [They go out severally. GLOSSARY. Exquisite; instinctively; wist; gust; prodigy; essayed. STUDY. Why was Gessler startled at learning his prisoner's name? What had he heard about Tell? "I'll take exquisite vengeance": vengeance for what? On what condition did he propose to spare the lives of Tell and Albert? Why would this be "exquisite" vengeance? Why does Tell order his chains put on again? Why is Tell unable to make up his mind? On what grounds does Tell ask a postponement till the morrow? Why is Gessler willing to grant his request and also to allow Albert to spend the night with his father? Would this, perhaps, make Tell's sufferings of mind greater? III. THE TYRANT'S DOOM [The Swiss patriots, upon hearing that Tell and his son are in the hands of Gessler, gather in force and proceed from various directions toward the governor's castle. Tell secures a postponement of the test of his marksmanship, thus giving the Swiss opportunity to carry out their plans, with the final results indicated in the scene that follows.] Enter, slowly, Burghers and Women, Gessler, Tell, ALBERT, and Soldiers— one bearing TELL's bow and quiver—another with a basket of apples. GESSLER. That is your ground. Now shall they measure thence 5 10 15 The line a true one? GESSLER. 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 GESSLER. Be thankful, slave, Our grace accords thee life on any terms. TELL. I will be thankful, Gessler!— Villain, stop! You measure to the sun! GESSLER. 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 cannot see to shoot against the sun! I will not shoot against the sun! GESSLER. 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. SOLDIER (with the basket of apples). Here! The basket!-There TELL. You've picked the smallest one. TELL. Oh! do you?-But you see GESSLER. Take it as it is: Thy skill will be the greater if thou hit'st it. TELL. True!-True!-I didn't think of that -I wonder I did not think of that.-Give me some chance 35 To save my boy! I will not murder him 40 If I can help it-for the honor of The form thou wear'st, if all the heart be gone. GESSLER. Well, choose thyself. [Hands a basket of apples. TELL takes one. TELL. Have I a friend among The lookers on? VERNER (a patriot in league with TELL). Here, Tell! TELL. I thank thee, Verner! He is a friend that does not mind a storm 45 To shake a hand with us. I must be brief. 55 VERNER. Yes. TELL. Does he tremble? VERNER. No. TELL. Art sure? VERNER. I am. TELL. How looks he? VERNER. Clear and smilingly. 60 If you doubt it—look yourself. TELL. No-no-my friend, 65 To hear it is enough. VERNER. He bears himself So much above his years TELL. I know!-I know. VERNER. With constancy so modest — TELL. I was sure He would VERNER. And looks with such relying love 70 And reverence upon you— 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 And set him, Verner, with his back to me. Set him upon his knees—and place the apple Upon his head, so that the stem may front me— Thus, Verner-Charge him to keep steady-Tell him More briefly than I tell it thee. VERNER. Come, Albert! ALBERT. May I not speak with him before I go? No. ALBERT. I would only kiss his hand. VERNER. You must not. ALBERT. I must!-I cannot go from him without! 75 80 85 90 [Holding out his arms to him. [Running into TELL's arms. TELL. If thou can'st bear it, should not I?—Go now, My son and keep in mind that I can shoot. Go, boy-Be thou but steady, I shall hit The apple. (Kisses him.) Go!-God bless thee!-Go!-My bow! [One hands him the bow. Thou wilt not fail thy master, wilt thou?-Thou Hast never failed him yet, old servant.—No! I'm sure of thee-I know thy honesty, 95 Thou'rt stanch!-Stanch!-I'd deserve to find thee treacherous, 100 Could I suspect thee so. Come, I will stake My all upon thee! Let me see my quiver. TELL. Is't so you pick an arrow, friend? The point, you see, is blunt; the feather jagged; GESSLER. Let him have 110 Another. TELL. Why, 't is better than the first, But yet not good enough for such an aim As I'm to take. 'Tis heavy in the shaft; [Breaks it. I'll not shoot with it! (Throws it away.) Let me see my quiver. 115 Bring it! 't is not one arrow in a dozen I'd take to shoot with at a dove, much less A dove like that! What is 't you fear? I'm but 120 With every one of you a weapon in His hand. What can I do in such a strait GESSLER. It matters not. 125 Show him the quiver. You're resolved, I see, 130 Nothing shall please you. [TELL kneels and picks out an arrow, which he hides under his vest, and then selects another. TELL. Am I so? That's strange, That's very strange!-Is the boy ready? VERNER. Yes. TELL. I'm ready too!- Keep silence, every one! And stir not for my child's sake! And let me have Your prayers—your prayers—and be my witnesses, 135 Now, friends, for mercy's sake keep motionless |