So I pa.s.sed on, and sent his train to seek him.
HEDWIG.
He trembled then before you? Woe the while You saw his weakness; that he"ll not forgive.
TELL.
I shun him, therefore, and he"ll not seek me.
HEDWIG.
But stay away to day. Go hunting rather!
TELL.
What do you fear?
HEDWIG.
I am uneasy. Stay.
TELL.
Why thus distress yourself without a cause?
HEDWIG.
Because there is no cause. Tell, Tell! stay here!
TELL.
Dear wife, I gave my promise I would go.
HEDWIG.
Must you,--then go. But leave the boys with me.
WALTER.
No, mother dear, I"m going with my father.
HEDWIG.
How, Walter! Will you leave your mother then?
WALTER.
I"ll bring you pretty things from grandpapa.
[Exit with his father.
WILHELM.
Mother, I"ll stay with you!
HEDWIG (embracing him).
Yes, yes! thou art My own dear child. Thou"rt all that"s left to me.
[She goes to the gate of the court, and looks anxiously after TELL and her son for a considerable time.
SCENE II.
A retired part of the Forest. Brooks dashing in spray over the rocks.
Enter BERTHA in a hunting dress. Immediately afterwards RUDENZ.
BERTHA.
He follows me. Now to explain myself!
RUDENZ (entering hastily).
At length, dear lady, we have met alone In this wild dell, with rocks on every side, No jealous eye can watch our interview.
Now let my heart throw off this weary silence.
BERTHA.
But are you sure they will not follow us?
RUDENZ.
See, yonder goes the chase. Now, then, or never!
I must avail me of the precious moment,-- Must hear my doom decided by thy lips, Though it should part me from thy side forever.
Oh, do not arm that gentle face of thine With looks so stern and harsh! Who--who am I, That dare aspire so high as unto thee?
Fame hath not stamped me yet; nor may I take My place amid the courtly throng of knights, That, crowned with glory"s l.u.s.tre, woo thy smiles.
Nothing have I to offer but a heart That overflows with truth and love for thee.
BERTHA (sternly and with severity).
And dare you speak to me of love--of truth?
You, that are faithless to your nearest ties!
You, that are Austria"s slave--bartered and sold To her--an alien, and your country"s tyrant!
RUDENZ.
How! This reproach from thee! Whom do I seek On Austria"s side, my own beloved, but thee?
BERTHA.
Think you to find me in the traitor"s ranks?
Now, as I live, I"d rather give my hand To Gessler"s self, all despot though he be, Than to the Switzer who forgets his birth, And stoops to be the minion of a tyrant.
RUDENZ.
Oh heaven, what must I hear!
BERTHA.
Say! what can lie Nearer the good man"s heart than friends and kindred?
What dearer duty to a n.o.ble soul Than to protect weak, suffering innocence, And vindicate the rights of the oppressed?
My very soul bleeds for your countrymen; I suffer with them, for I needs must love them; They are so gentle, yet so full of power; They draw my whole heart to them. Every day I look upon them with increased esteem.
But you, whom nature and your knightly vow, Have given them as their natural protector, Yet who desert them and abet their foes, In forging shackles for your native land, You--you it is, that deeply grieve and wound me.
I must constrain my heart, or I shall hate you.
RUDENZ.
Is not my country"s welfare all my wish?
What seek I for her but to purchase peace "Neath Austria"s potent sceptre?
BERTHA.