The World's Greatest Books [Volumes 1-15, 17-20]

One of so gracious face as he;

A grief to her he could but be.

And thus had I been sorrowing still Had not Queen Venus, with the will Which none may hinder, snatched the key Of that high tower and set him free, 127

Fair-Welcome, and those others whom Had Jealousy there put in gloom— 'Mongst many Beauty, whom before I have had reason to adore.

To me she came: to me she gave

That Rose I did so dearly crave.

At last! At last! The prize was mine!

On bed of turf did I incline

With that fair Flower. Our red lips met,

Whilst rose-leaves were our coverlet

From May to June. Said Beauty then*

" Should savage Jealousy yet pen

Our pleasure in with wall and tower.

O'er perfect Love not ever power

Is hers to work. Too late I deem

Shall all her spite and passion seem!"

But here I woke me from my dream.

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FRIEDRICH VON SCHILLER Wilhelm Tell

Persons in the Drama

Hermann Gessler, Governor of Schwyts and Uri

Werner Stauffacher

Walter Furst Rosselmann, the Priest

Wilhelm Tell Kuoni, herdsman

'Arnold of Melchthal Ruodi, fisherman

Conrad Baumgarten Meyer von Sarnen

Conrad Hunn Struth von WinkelriEd

Itel Reding Fisherman's Son

Hedwig, wife of Tell, daughter of Furst

Arm g art

Mechthild

Elsbeth

Walter and Wilhelm, Tell's sons

Friesshardt and Leuthold, soldiers

Rudolph der Harras, Gcssler's Master of the Horse

Johannes Parricida, Duke of Suabia

Master Stonemason

Taskmaster A Crier

Act I

Scene I.—A rocky shore of the Lake of Lucerne opposite Schwyts. Kuoni and Ruodi watch the threatening thunderstorm, when Baumgarten rushes in breathlessly. Baumgarten: For God's sake, ferryman, your boat! Quick, quick!

The life of Johann Christoph Friedrich von Schiller has been described as a long struggle against pecuniary difficulties, yet through it all he remained true to himself and steadfast to his

129

My life's at stake—they're close upon my heels! It is the viceroy's men are after me. The imperial seneschal, who dwelt at Rossberg. Kuoni: How! What! The Wolf shot? Is it he

pursues you ? Baumgarten : He'll ne'er hurt man again! I've settled him. Ruodi : Now, God forgive you, what is this you've

done? Baumgarten : What every free man in my place had done. Mine own good household right I have enforced 'Gainst him that would have wronged my wife—my

honour. Heavens, whilst we speak the time is flying fast!

Kuoni : Quick, ferryman, and set the good man over. Ruodi : Impossible! A storm is close at hand, Wait till it pass! You must.

Baumgarten : Almighty Heaven,

Then I am lost! Kuoni : Look, who comes here ? 'Tis Tell! Tell {entering with a crossbow) : What man is he that implores for aid?

high and noble calling. The son of an army surgeon, he was born at Marbach, in Wurtemberg, on November 10, 1759. He was intended for the law, but abandoned that for medicine. Early in life he gave evidence of a talent for poetry—a talent that was fostered by his mother, herself of a poetic temperament. His first play, "Die Rauber," produced in 1782 at Mannheim, excited the disapproval of the court, whereupon the young poet' was forbidden either to write more plays or to leave Stuttgart, where he was at the ducal school. He fled, however, and for the next year lay concealed at various places of retreat. In 1783 he returned to Mannheim, and was appointed dramatic poet of the theatre. From that time until his death, on May 9, 1805, plays and poems flowed rapidly from his pen. As a lyric poet Schiller may rot hold front rank, but as a dramatist he stands foremost of the Germans. " Wilhelm Tell," his last completed drama, was produced in March, 1804, and, notwithstanding some obvious faults of construction, is a noble and vivid picture of a truly popular struggle for freedom.

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Kuoni : He is from Alzellen, and to guard his honour From touch of foulest shame, has slain the Wolfshot, The imperial seneschal, who dwelt at Rossberg. The viceroy's troopers are upon his heels. He begs the boatman here to take him over, But he, in terror of the storm, refuses.

Ruodi: Well, there is Tell can steer as well as I, He'll be my judge if it be possible. [Thunder and storm. Am I to plunge into the jaws of hell? I should be mad to dare the desperate act.

Telclass="underline" The brave man thinks upon himself the last. Put trust in God, and help him in his need!

Ruodi : Safe in the port, 'tis easy to advise. There is the boat, and there the lake ! Try you!

Tell : In God's name, then, give me the boat! I will. Console my wife if I should come to grief; I could not choose but do as I have done. [He leaps into the boat and pushes off. Ruodi and Kuoni anxiously watch the storm-tossed boat, when a troop of horsemen arrive in pursuit.

Horseman : Curse on you, he's escaped! You helped him off, And you shall pay for it! Fall on their herds! Down with the cottage! burn it! beat it down!

[They rush off. Ruodi : Righteous Heaven ! Oh, when will come Deliverance to this doom-devoted land ? [Exeunt.

Scene II.—Near Altdorf. On an eminence a castle in progress of erection. The Taskmaster is urging the workmen with a stick, and shakes an old man who sinks down exhausted. He then retires up the stage.