SCENE I.

A common near Altdorf. In the background to the right the keep of Uri, with the scaffold still standing, as in the third scene of the first act. To the left the view opens upon numerous mountains, on all of which signal fires are burning. Day is breaking, and bells are heard ringing from various distances.

RUODI, KUONI, WERNI, MASTER MASON, and many other country people, also women and children.

RUODI.

Look at the fiery signals on the mountains!

MASTER MASON.

Hark to the bells above the forest there!

RUODI.

The enemy"s expelled.

MASTER MASON.

The forts are taken.

RUODI.

And we of Uri, do we still endure Upon our native soil the tyrant"s keep?

Are we the last to strike for liberty?

MASTER MASON.

Shall the yoke stand that was to bow our necks?

Up! Tear it to the ground!

ALL.

Down, down with it!

RUODI.

Where is the Stier of Uri?

URI.

Here. What would ye?

RUODI.

Up to your tower, and wind us such a blast, As shall resound afar, from hill to hill; Rousing the echoes of each peak and glen, And call the mountain men in haste together!

[Exit STIER OF URI--enter WALTER FURST.

FURST.

Stay, stay, my friends! As yet we have not learned What has been done in Unterwald and Schwytz.

Let"s wait till we receive intelligence!

RUODI.

Wait, wait for what? The accursed tyrant"s dead, And the bright day of liberty has dawned!

MASTER MASON.

How! Do these flaming signals not suffice, That blaze on every mountain top around?

RUODI.

Come all, fall to--come, men and women, all!

Destroy the scaffold! Tear the arches down!

Down with the walls; let not a stone remain.

MASTER MASON.

Come, comrades, come! We built it, and we know How best to hurl it down.

ALL.

Come! Down with it!

[They fall upon the building at every side.

FURST.

The floodgate"s burst. They"re not to be restrained.

[Enter MELCHTHAL and BAUMGARTEN.

MELCHTHAL.

What! Stands the fortress still, when Sarnen lies In ashes, and when Rossberg is a ruin?

FURST.

You, Melchthal, here? D"ye bring us liberty?

Say, have you freed the country of the foe?

MELCHTHAL.

We"ve swept them from the soil. Rejoice, my friend; Now, at this very moment, while we speak, There"s not a tyrant left in Switzerland!

FURST.

How did you get the forts into your power?

MELCHTHAL.

Rudenz it was who with a gallant arm, And manly daring, took the keep at Sarnen.

The Rossberg I had stormed the night before.

But hear what chanced. Scarce had we driven the foe Forth from the keep, and given it to the flames, That now rose crackling upwards to the skies, When from the blaze rushed Diethelm, Gessler"s page, Exclaiming, "Lady Bertha will be burnt!"

FURST.

Good heavens!

[The beams of the scaffold are heard falling.

MELCHTHAL.

"Twas she herself. Here had she been Immured in secret by the viceroy"s orders.

Rudenz sprang up in frenzy. For we heard The beams and ma.s.sive pillars crashing down, And through the volumed smoke the piteous shrieks Of the unhappy lady.

FURST.

Is she saved?

MELCHTHAL.