That man. Rodolph. He's here. Gesler. Your swords! - Stand Beckon some of those About me. I would be attended. If He stirs, dispatch him. Rodolph. He's in chains, my lord. Gesler. I see I see he is. [Enter Sarnem and soldiers with Tell in chains.] Gesler. Can I believe my eyes? He smiles! Gerard. Why don't you smite him for that look? Gesler. He grasps His chains as he would make a weapon of them To lay the smiter dead. What kind of man Is this, that looks, in thraldom, more at large, Rodolph. Lo you, how The caitiff scowls! Pull out his eyes! Lutold. Lop off A limb for him. Gesler. Why speak'st thou not? Tell. For wonder. Gesler. Wonder! Tell. Yes, That thou shouldst seem a man! Tell. A monster! Gesler. Ha! Tell. Though they were doubled-though they weigh'd me down Prostrate to the earth, methinks I could rise up Of telling thee, usurper, to the teeth, Thou art a monster! Think upon thy chains! Gesler. Darest thou question me? Tell. Darest thou not answer? Gesler. Do I hear? Tell. Thou dost! Gesler. Beware my vengeance! Tell. Can it more than kill? It cannot take away the grace of life. Gesler. But it can make thee writhe? Tell. It may! Gesler. And groan? Tell. It may; and I may cry Go on, though it should make me groan again! Gesler. Whence comest thou? Tell. From the mountains. Wouldst thou learn What news from thence? Gesler. Canst tell me any? Tell. Aye! They watch no more the avalanche. Gesler. Why so? Tell. Because they look for thee! Tell. I told thee in the mountains. Tell. Nor north, nor south. Gesler. Is't to the east or west, then? Tell. Where it lies Concerns thee not. Gesler. It does! Tell. And if it does, Thou shalt not learn. Gesler. Art married? Tell. Married! - Yes. Sarnem. My lord, the boy! [Gesler signs to Sarnem to keep silence, and, whispering, sends him off.] Tell (aside). The boy! - What boy? Is't mine? - and have they netted my young fledgling? Now Heaven support me, if they have! He'll own me, And share his father's ruin! Would put him on his guard But a look yet how to give it! Now, heart, thy nerve: forget thou'rt flesh-be rock! They come They come ! - That step! That step! So light upon the ground! How heavy does it fall upon my heart! I feel my child! - 'Tis he! We can but perish. [Enter Sarnem with Albert, whose eyes are riveted on Tell's bow, which Sarnem carries.] Albert (aside). Yes; I was right. It is my father's bow! For there's my father! Sarnem. See! Sarnem. Look there. I'll not own him, though! Albert. What would you have me see? Sarnem. Thy father. Albert. That is not my father, sir. Tell. My boy my boy-my own brave boy! He's safe! Sarnem (aside to Gesler). They're like each other. The headsman to make ready. Quick! He dies! The slave shall die! You mark'd the boy? Sarnem. I did. He started 'Tis his father! Gesler. We shall see. Away with him! Tell. Stop! stay! Gesler. What would you? Tell. Time, A little time to call my thoughts together! To speak with! Gesler. Hence with him! Tell. A moment, stop! Let me speak to the boy. Gesler. Is he thy son? |