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GERMAN CLASSICS
WILHELM TELL
BUCHHEIM
Eontion
HENRY FROWDE
MACMILLAN AND CO.
GERMAN CLASSICS
EDITED
PVITI/ ENGLISH NOTES, ETC.
BY
C. A. BUCHHEIM, Phil. Doc, F.C.P.
Professor of the German Language and Literature in King's College^ London
Examiner in German to the University of London
To the University of Nenv Zealand
To the College of Preceptors, the Society of Arts ^ etc,
WILHELM TEIiIi, a Drama by Schiller
SCHOOL EDITION
WITH A MAP
Tliird Edition, Revised
Oxford
AT THE CLARENDON PRESS
M DCCC LXXXIX
[All rights reserved "l
^^
(XOhiA
PREFACE.
The pithy saying which Schiller has put into the mouth
of one of the characters in Wilhelm Tell, to the effect that
' altered times necessitate altered laws/ might with full pro-
priety be applied to educational methods, which, with the
change of times, are frequently subject to modifications.
Thus in former years, when German was studied by the
chosen few only, it seemed advisable to supply critical
editions of German Classics, similar to those of the Ancient
Classics in familiar use among these select few. Ac-
cordingly I have prepared within the last twenty years
editions of a number of German Classics with full critical
and historical commentaries, which, to judge from the great
success which has attended their publication, fully answered
the requirements of scholarly learners of German. Of late
years, however, the study of German has spread almost
throughout the whole civilised world to such a marvellous
degree, that it may be said to be taken up now by the many.
German is now no longer studied exclusively by the scholar,
the scientist, or the purely literary man, but by all who aspire
to the acquisition of a liberal education, be it for practical
purposes, or with the object of intellectual improvement.
Learned critical editions of German Classics would con-
sequently be out of place for the great majority of the pre-
567., I :j
VI , PREFACE,
sent students of German ; and after conferring on the subject
with a number of distinguished and experienced colleagues,
I have decided to prepare editions of German Text Books,
with brief Introductions and short Notes — as I have edited
Schiller's Historische Skizzen — so as to supply a want, which
makes itself felt daily more and more in the school and class-
room.
The present volume forms the first of the new Series, the
nature and character of which is sufficiently indicated by the
special title : School Edition. The next, similarly edited,
volume will, in all probability, consist of Becker's Friedrich
der Grosze ^, and it will, in part, depend upon the reception of
these volumes whether others are to follow. The reasons
which have induced me to begin this Series with the present
play are the following : — Schiller's Wilhelm Tell is the
classical play which, as a rule, German teachers like to place
first in the hands of their pupils after they have gone with
them through the ordinary routine of reading-books in prose.
It seemed to me, therefore, quite proper to issue that drama
for ordinary school purposes without any further delay ; and
I also wished to show practically, by the contrast between the
larger critical, and the present smaller edition, the scope of
the present Series, the principal feature of which will be to
give that legitimate help which the student could not obtain
from the Dictionaries in general use in this country, and
indeed hardly from the most comprehensive Dictionaries,
without having already fully mastered the whole of the
German Grammar. To give this help in this particular
volume seemed to me the more necessary, because Schiller's
Tell is, though in itself easy of comprehension, rather difficult
in point of language. It is, therefore, to be hoped that both
^ The above volume, provided with Historical Introduction,
Notes and a Map, has just been. published.
PREFACE, Vll
the completeness and the brevity of the Notes will serve as a
stimulus to the readers of the drama to prepare the text most
carefully. I have also inserted in the Notes a number of
grammatical rules, and have made frequent cross-references.
The etymology of the more unusual expressions has likewise
been given, separately from the body of the explanatory
Notes, so that the eye may the better assist the memory.
I have not, however, confined myself to the explanation of
the linguistic difficulties only, but I have also included in the
Notes all the historical and legendary information requisite for
the full understanding of the numerous allusions in the play.
I have further prefixed, as in my larger critical edition of
Tetl — only in a considerably shorter compass — an Introduction
comprising a Biographical Notice of the author, the historical
and legendary account of the liberation of the Forest Cantons,
and finally a Critical Notice of the play. The present issue
is, however, not a mere epitome of my larger edition, but
is in great part the result of renewed original work, as I have
most carefully gone again through the whole drama, leaving
actually nothing unexplained which seemed to require ex-
planation. The Text and the Arguments are the same as
in the large book.
In this edition I have devoted particular attention to the
topography of the scene of action — not only availing myself
of the works which Schiller himself had used, and of the
more recent publications on the geography of Switzerland,
but also of my personal knowledge of the country, in which
I have travelled and stayed for some time. And in order to
make the various scenes of the drama more ansc'haulich, a
map of the locality in which the scene of action is laid has
been added. It is, therefore, hoped that while the teachers of
German, and those students who have taste and leisure enough
to consult critical commentaries, will continue to use my larger
Vlli PREFACE,
edition of Wilhelm Tell, which has met with so much favour
in the New World as well as in the Old, the present issue will
contribute to make Schiller's masterpiece, than which there
is no more suitable and interesting work for the young, still
more popular in the school-room.
In conclusion, I cannot refrain from expressing my cordial
thanks to my friend Mr. Frank T. Lawrence, Barrister-at-Law,
formerly one of the modern language masters at Wellington
and Rugby, who has kindly assisted me in seeing the editorial
matter through the press, and to whom I am indebted for
some valuable suggestions.
ilth March t 1884.
The raison d^etre of this volume has been proved by the
favourable reception it has met with on the part of teachers
and pupils ; and in order to increase its usefulness I have — in
issuing the present. Second Edition — inserted some additional
explanations, besides making several corrections in the Notes.
C. A. BUCHHEIM.
King's College, London:
August^ 1887.
CONTENTS.
PAGE
Biographical Notice of Schiller . . . xi
The Liberation of the Forest Cantons:—
I. The True History xiv
II. The Legendary Version . . . . xvi
Critical Notice xx
Map XXV
Wilhelm Tell: —
Text and Arguments i
Notes 187
BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICE OF SCHILLER.
JOHANN Christoph Friedrich Schiller was bom
Nov. ID, 1759, at Marbach in Wiirttemberg, of Protestant
parents. From 1765 to 1768 he was educated at Lorch, and
subsequently at Ludwigsburg. Theology was the faculty for
which he was first destined, but his father, who served as
captain under the Duke Karl Eugen of Wiirttemberg, was
induced to place him, in 1773, in the Military Academy
founded by the latter. The boy first studied Jurisprudence
and subsequently Medicine. The rigorous military discipline
under which the students were kept at that Institution —
which was removed in 1775 to Stuttgart — was most distasteful
to Schiller. He was allowed to read medical books only, and
this restraint aroused in him an intense aversion for every
kind of tyranny. In this state of excitement he wrote his
harrowing but powerful tragedy. Die Rduber, which was
performed for the first time at Mannheim in 1782. The
vexations which ensued from his secret visit to the latter
place, to witness the performance of his drama, caused him
to leave Stuttgart secretly (1782). He took with him the
MS. of his second play, called Fiesko, and fortunately he
found a refuge near Meiningen, where he stayed till the end
of July 1783, writing his third tragedy, Kabale und Liebe,
Schiller now repaired to Mannheim, where his two new
dramas were performed (1784), the former with indifferent
and the latter with very great success. These three plays
were nothing but the impatient outburst of youthful enthu-
siasm, being violent protests against the real or exaggerated
vices of society.
Xll BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICE OF SCHILLER,
On the invitation of Korner — the father of the hero-poet —
Schiller went (1785) to Leipzig, and after a short stay there
to Dresden, where his friend Korner generously provided
for him. Here he wrote Don Karlos (1787), a drama with
a historical background ; and the authorities he used for that
drama led him to the composition of his great historical
work, Der Abfall der Nzederlande, which was issued in 1788,
during his sojourn at a village near Rudolstadt. This work
procured him, through the mediation of Goethe, the Pro-
fessorship of History in the University of Jena, where he
settled in 1789. In 1790 he married Charlotte von Lengefeld.
He fell ill in 1791, and his professorial career came to a close.
The Geschichte des dreiszigjdhrigen Krieges, which Schiller
wrote between 1790-92, led him to dramatize the tragic fate
of Wallenstein in a brilliant Trilogy, comprising WallensteirC s
Lager J Die Piccolomini; Wallenstein^ s Tod, This cycle was
finished in 1799 and met with the greatest success.
Schiller now displayed an extraordinary activity, in spite of
his increasing debility. He wrote in succession the following
classical tragedies, all of which were most enthusiastically
received by the public : Maria Stuart (1800) ; Die Jungfrau
von Orleans (1801) ; Die Braut von Messina (1803); Wilhelm
Tell (1804). During the same time he adapted Gozzi's
Turandot for the German stage ; translated Racine's Phedre^
and gave two comedies by Picard, Der Parasitj Der Neffe
als Onkelm elegant German versions. In 1799 he had taken
up his permanent abode at Weimar, in order to be nearer
to the Theatre, where his dramas were performed, and to
Goethe, with whom he had formed a warm friendship. The
year 1805 found him ailing, and at the beginning of May
he fell seriously ill. He lingered for a few days, and on the
9th of May he breathed his last.
Besides the above-mentioned works Schiller wrote a
number of philosophical and historical essays. But he owes
his popularity to his dramas and also in a great measure to
his poems, more especially his ballads, such as Der Hand-
BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICE OF SCHILLER, xill
schuhj Die Biirgschaft j Der Taucherj Die Kraniche des
Ibikus, and to his celebrated Lied von der Glocke.
Schiller was one of the most noble-minded and warm-
hearted men that ever lived. He was an enthusiastic lover
of liberty, and everything which he wrote was intended to
ennoble mankind and to ameliorate the state of society.
His constant endeavour was to inculcate upon the minds of
men the principles of religious tolerance — of perfect political
freedom, and of the highest morality. He was admired
at home and abroad by high and low, and the then Emperor
of Germany ennobled him ; but above all he was loved by
the people, and he is still the favourite poet of the German
nation.
THE LIBERATION OF THE FOREST
CANTONS.
I.
The True History,
The origin of the Swiss Confederation must be sought on
the shores of the Vierwaldstettersee — Lake of the four Forest
Cantons — and more especially in the three Cantons of Schwyz,
Uri, and Unterwalden. Both the geographical configuration
of these districts and the homogeneity of race of their inhabit-
ants favoured their union. These wooded regions were first
peopled at the beginning of the eighth century, not by Swedes
coming from the North, but by Alemanni coming from
Germany. About three centuries later we find them placed
— like the rest of the country then known by the name of
Helvetia — under the protection and immediate sovereignty
of the German Empire. The inhabitants were not all free
men ; a number of them owed allegiance to individual lords
or were bondsmen. Still the country flourished as a whole
under the Imperial Administration (Reichsvogtei) of the Counts
of Zahringen, who founded, among other cities, those of Bern^
of Freiburg in the Uechtland, &c. After the extinction of the
Zahringer dynasty in 121 8, the vast Helvetic territory was
divided into a great number of districts, but most of them
were in danger of falling into the hands of the Counts of
Habsburg. These owned the district of Aargau, where their
ancestral castle — of which only a tower is now to be seen —
was situated; and they exercised, besides, the function of
THE LIBERATION OF THE FOREST CANTONS. XV
Imperial Administrators, including that of penal Judicature
(Bluibann\ over the districts of Schwyz, Uri, and Unter-
walden. The Habsburgs soon gave unmistakable signs that
they were striving after absolute sovereignty in those terri-
tories ; and the result was, that the inhabitants were anxious
to shake off their rule entirely. Uri succeeded in obtaining,
in 1 23 1, from Henry, the son of the Emperor Frederick II
(whilst the latter was in Italy), its incorporation with Ger-
many ; and in 1240 the * people of Schwyz' obtained from
Frederick II himself an Imperial Charter. During the great
Interregnum (1254-73), however, which followed after the
death of Conrad IV, the Habsburgs again obtained great
ascendency in the Forest Cantons ; and when Rudolph von
Habsburg was elected Emperor of Germany (1273), and.
did not formally renew the Imperial Charter granted by
Frederick II to the inhabitants of Schwyz, they again appre-
hended the loss of their independence, although he was
generally considered a * gracious sovereign.* This apprehen-
sion was increased — and fully shared by Uri and Unterwalden
— after the death of Rudolph in 129 1 ; in which year the three
cantons formed an alliance * against all attacks from without
and all dissensions from within,' which may be considered as
the foundation of the Swiss Confederation. Adolph von
Nassau (1291-98), the successor of Rudolph, confirmed the
Imperial Charter granted to Schwyz and Uri ; but unfortu-
nately the King died soon after, at the battle of Gollheim,
and his adversary, Albrecht, son of Rudolph von Habsburg,
became Emperor of Germany.
The stern and severe Albrecht was no favourite with his
subjects ; still he did not encroach in such a flagrant degree
upon the liberties of the Swiss Cantons as to give occasion
to a violent and open rupture, and not one contemporary
authority of his reign has recorded any outbreak whatever of
popular discontent. The Swiss patiently bore the hardships
inflicted upon them by the Governors of Albrecht, and when
the latter was assassinated in 1308 by his nephew Johann von
XVI THE LIBERA TION OF THE FOREST CANTONS.
Schwaben, they tacitly allowed the Habsburgs to wreak their
vengeance on the Swiss kinsfolk of Johannes Parricida's ac-
complices. Consequently the Imperial Governors cannot have
been driven away, either before or after the death of Albrecht,
and no open outbreak took place at that time. The Emperor
Henry VII of Luxemburg (1308-13) renewed the former
Imperial Charters in favour of Schwyz and Uri ; still it
was only the rivalry which existed between the Emperor
and the Habsburgs that saved the three cantons from again
being handed over to the latter. The rivalry took a tangible
form when Lewis the Bavarian was elected Emperor of
Germany (1314-47), for it was then that Frederick the Fair,
son of Albrecht, was raised by a minority of electors to the
same dignity. The Swiss naturally sided with Lewis, who
took them under his special protection ; and they drew upon
themselves, in consequence, the wrath of the impetuous Duke
Leopold, brother of Frederick, who marched with a large
host of knights, troopers, and foot-soldiers, against the Wald-
stetten. The Swiss had no properly organized army, but they
had the advantage of the ground — for the combatants met at
the pass near Morgarten (Nov. 15, 131 5), and the shepherds
and archers dashed upon their heavily armed enemies from
the heights. The victory was for the people who fought on
their own soil, for their hearths and homes ; and the Swiss
now formed a closer alliance among themselves. Other vic-
tories followed in the course of time, and these, together with
various fortunate circumstances, combined to cement that
powerful Confederation, which has maintained for centuries
its political freedom and independence amidst the vicissitudes
and convulsions of the surrounding European States.
n.
The Legendary Version,
Swiss folklore tells a version which entirely differs from the
historical account of the Liberation of the Forest Cantons and
THE LIBERATION OF THE FOREST CANTONS, xvil
the establishment of their Confederacy. Upwards of a century-
after the death of King Albrecht, a legend gradually sprang
up about the expulsion of his tyrannical bailiffs from the
Forest Cantons and the shooting of one of them by * Wilhelm
Tell/ An unauthentic Chronicle, a transcript of which dates
from 1470, a popular ballad dating from the same yeax, and
a play written at the beginning of the 16th century, popu-
larized and expanded that legend, which assumed shape and
consistency in the famous Chronicles of Etterlin, Stumpf, and
Tschudi. It was the last-named writer in particular who
welded the various details of the legend into a systematic
whole, inventing proper names for imaginary personages, and
fixing dates when, and places where, certain events occurred.
The Swiss believed in his account, which is marked by great
simplicity and apparent candour, to such a degree that any
person in Switzerland who expressed a doubt as to the
authentic existence of Wilhelm Tell, actually endangered his
V Hfe thereby. Tschudi's legendary account is, besides, so
^ dramatically arranged that Schiller could base upon it the
plot of his play.
What was yet wanting to round off and complete the
national legend, was liberally furnished by the celebrated
Swiss historian Johannes v. Miiller (1752-1809), who even
ingeniously invented the * Oath of the Riitli.* In spite, how-
ever, of all learned endeavours to impress upon the legend
the stamp of authenticity, doubts as to its accuracy began to
arise as early as the beginning of the 17th century. The
most vulnerable point was, in particular, the incident con-
nected with Wilhelm Tell himself. Little did those who
introduced the fable of the Apfelschuss into the embellished
and romantic account of the actual Liberation of Switzerland
suspect that they had selected an incident which is widely
spread in the realm of tradition. It was, however, soon
discovered that a similar story was told a century before
the traditional Swiss archer made his appearance, of a
Danish soldier, named Toko. As time went on, more and
b
xvlii THE LIBERATION OF THE FOREST CANTONS,
more * Apple-shooters ' were discovered in the airy regions of
folklore, so that it may be truly said that there are very few
nations who have not had a Wilhelm Tell of their own ^. The
story of the master-shot was actually traced to remote anti-
quity, where it seems to have been widely spread even among
the most uncivilized peoples. The Swiss Chroniclers were
also unfortunate as regards the names they gave to their
heroes. The name of Wilhelm did not occur in those days in
the Forest Cantons, and it required some transformation of
names before that of Tell could be produced by the Chroni-
clers. There never was a Gessler ' Imperial Governor ' or
owner of Kiisznacht, nor was there a governor of Unter-
walden called Beringer von Landenberg. To pass over a
number of other fictitious events, the incident of Baumgarten
and Wolfenschieszen is pure invention ^.
If it should be asked, how it was possible that such an
elaborate legend could be passed off so effectively as the
authentic version of a momentous national event, and further,
how learned and otherwise truthful men. could stoop to coun-
tenance such a falsification of History, the answer must be
the following : — Switzerland lay in those days beyond the
high-road of History, and people did not take the same
^ Readers of this volume may be interested to learn that the cele-
brated Apfelschuss was also current in Northumberland, to judge
from the ballad * Adam Bell, Clym of the Cloughe, and William
[of] Cloudeslee ' (see Percy's Ballads). Scotland too has had its
Wilhelm Tell, bearing, however, the true Scotch name of M'Leod.
^ Historical traditions die hard, as English readers will know
from the home-example of * Lady Godiva,' in whose fabulous ride a
number of people still firmly believe. It may, therefore, be satis-
factory to learn, that the Swiss themselves no longer consider it as
a crime, or even a misdemeanour, to deny the authentic existence of
Wilhelm Tell, and that — as I had occasion to point out in the
* Times ' (Aug. lo, 1883)— they now actually allow the modern
critical view, regarding the * Archer of Uri,' to be imparted to the
young, together with the fabulous tradition.
THE LIBERATION OF THE FOREST CANTONS. XIX
notice of her proceedings, as they did of those of England,
France, Germany, Italy, etc. The Swiss were therefore left
to frame their own history at will ; and it was only when it
was exposed to the searching light of critical investigation
that the * pious fraud ' was detected. As regards the second
question, it should be remembered that the Chroniclers found
the substance of the legend in the mouth of the people. They
then adopted and embellished it, partly from national vanity,
and partly — and this is the most extenuating circumstance —
from a patriotic desire to inculcate upon their countrymen
the necessity of firm national union, by showing them that
the * Liberation of the Forest Cantons' and the establishment
of the compact * Swiss Confederacy' were simply owing to
the innate love of freedom and the brotherly union of their
brave ancestors.
CRITICAL NOTICE.
Whilst travelling m Switzerland in 1797, Goethe con-
ceived the idea of working out the ^ fable of Tell ' as an epic
poem. On his return to Germany he communicated his plan
to Schiller, who was, however, of opinion that the ' Tellfaber
was more suitable for a drama than for an epic narrative.
Goethe not only assented to this view, but most generously
made over the interesting subject to his ^friend and rival.'
He did still more ; for he gave to Schiller such a vivid
description of the grand scenery of the Forest Cantons, and
of the impressions of his Swiss journey in general, as to
enable the dramatist to present — with the help of some books
on Switzerland — the most truthful picture of a country and
people ever, perhaps, portrayed in a drama. The books
which Schiller used for the historical background of his play
were, first and foremost, th.e * Chronicon Helveticum ' of
Tschudi, who lived in the i6th century ; then the Chronicles
of Etterlin and Stumpf, the contemporaries of TsChudi ; and
finally Joh. v. Miiller's Geschichte der Schweizerischen Eidge-
nossenschaft (1785). For the descriptions of the scenery of the
country and the customs and manners of the Swiss people,
he consulted and largely used Scheuchzer's Naturgeschichte des
Schweizerlandes^ Fasi's Beschreibimg der Eidgenossenschaft^
Ebel's Schilderung der Gebirgsvblker der Schweiz, and in
part also Meiners' Briefe iiber die Schweiz,
Provided with this learned apparatus Schiller proceeded to
the composition of his drama in good earnest in 1803, and in
CRITICAL NOTICE, XXI
spite of various interruptions he finished it on Feb. i8, 1804.
A month later — on March 17 — it was for the first time per-
formed at Weimar, and was most enthusiastically received by
the public. It met with the same success throughout Ger-
many ; and the public in general, as well as the most learned
and fastidious critics, were unanimous in their admiration of
the new play. This uniformity of praise was owing to the
fact that it satisfies all the requirements of a drama, from
whatever point of view it may be considered. It is affecting
from beginning to end. We feel compassion with the suffer-
ings of the people as a whole, and also tremble for the future
safety of several personages in whom our interest has been
excited — such as the fugitives Baumgarten and Melchthal,
who had been driven to extremities by the wanton conduct
of their oppressors. The grief of the venerable Baron von
Attinghausen at the state of his country and at his nephew's
unpatriotic conduct strongly appeals to our sympathy ; and
we are also deeply moved by the poetically conceived and
delicately executed scene of his death. The character of
Rudenz interests us, first by the contrast which it presents to
his surroundings, and then by his conversion through the
gentle influence of a patriotic woman. Our interest is, how-
ever, centred in the hero of the play, who, from first to last,
inspires us with admiration for his manliness, his sense of
justice, and his generous readiness to give help, whenever
and wherever help is needed. Tell is represented as a man
of action and of sound common sense, who is free from all
superstition — as a man who, though fully conscious of his
power, is modest in the extreme, and capable of self-control ;
and although by nature a lover of liberty, he is a law-abiding
citizen, who resorts to violent self-help only when driven to
it by acts of the utmost cruelty. In all these features Tell
may be considered as the type of the Swiss people such as
Schiller wished to represent it. And it is for this reason that
his figure rises so prominently above all the other characters
in the play ; so much so that the people appearing in the
XXll CRITICAL NOTICE,
drama seem to perform the function of the chorus^ as it
were. Still, the minor characters, whether belonging to the
people or to the ^official oppressors,' are all drawn most
strikingly. The women in particular are admirably por-
trayed ; Gertrude and Bertha representing the patriotic
element, and Hedwig the character of a loving wife and
mother. The episode of Rudenz and Bertha gives some
lyrical relief to the drama, which otherwise might be con-
sidered too stern ; whilst the episode of Parricida seemed
necessary for the sake of dramatic expediency, to show the
contrast between the deed of Tell and that of Duke John of
Suabia. The action — which may be said to occupy four
different days during the space of time between Oct. 28, 1307
and the beginning of May 1308— never flags for a moment ;
and the fact that the scene of action is laid in the vicinity of
the Vierwaldstetiersee greatly adds to the scenic charm of
the drama.
Besides the dramatic and poetical beauties of Wilhelm
Tell, the tendency of the piece gained for it universal admira-
tion abroad and deep enthusiasm at home. Schiller had
dramatized the legend of Tell for the same object for which
the Swiss chroniclers had, partly at least, invented it ; his
drama being nothing but a plea for political freedom, and an
appeal to the Germans to be firmly united. The latter at no
time needed the lesson of the necessity of union more urgently
than at the beginning of this century, when the Napoleonic
storm-cloud was hanging threateningly over Europe. The
poet's name has, therefore, become doubly endeared to the
Germans for having left them this patriotic bequest. The
language in which the drama is written also made it the
common property, so to say, of the people. Schiller wrote
it in blank verse, and the lines — iambics of five feet — run
throughout smoothly and rhythmically. The diction is
highly poetical, yet it is marked by great simplicity ; which
fact Schiller himself attributed to his familiarity with the
Bible.
CRITICAL NOTICE, XXUl
The Swiss themselves are justly proud of this great drama,
which gives such a favourable picture of their forefathers,
and in which the local colour is so strikingly faithful, a circum-
stance which is the more remarkable as Schiller never set
foot on Swiss soil. The Swiss are also well aware that it
was owing to Schiller alone that the story of Tell — of their
Tell — became so universally popular ; and although historical
criticism has shown that it was a mere legend, Schiller has
made it a poetical reality, so that his own prophetic words
are sure of fulfilment :
Erzdhlen wird man von de7n Schutzen Tell^
So lang die Berge stehn auf ihrem Grunde,
5Pcrfonen.
^Janbleute a\i^ ©d^n3t)j.
Hermann ©cpter, (Rcic^gtjogt in ©d^mj^ unb Uri.
5Bctncr, grei^err ^on 5lttingt>aufcn, SSannerl^crr.
U I V i (i^ tt ti Oi u b c n J, fein ^Icjfc.
SSerner (Stauffad^cr,
^onrab^unn, . . .
Stet (Rebing, . . .
§an^ aufbct 9)?aucr,
3 6rg im §ofe, . . .
Ulrid^ ber <Sd^mibt, .
Sojl »on SBciter, . .
SBalt^cr gurjl,. ... 1
Sil^clm 5:cn, . . .
Oloffelmann, ber $fartev,
$ ctcr ma nn, ber ©igriji, . )- au3Uru
JJuoni, ber §irt, • • .
SBerni, ber Sager, . .
{Ruobi, ber Sifci^er, . .
5lrnotb t)om a^e(^t^at,
i^onrab SSaumgarten,
SKeier tton ©amen, .
<Str«t|>»onSinfelrieb, )- am Untertoatbcn,
^tau« »on ber Slue,.
S3urf^art am S3u^el,
Slrnolb»on©eiT)a, .
!Pfeifer toon Su^ern.
^unj toon ©erfau.
Senni, gifi^erfnabe.
@e^)^i, §irten!naBe.
©ertrub, ©tauffac^erg ©atttn.
J&ebttoig, XdU ©attin, gurj!^ Xo^H^itx,
^Perfonen.
Slrmgarb,
> ^duerinucn.
Oiubolpft ber §arra^, ®e§tcr3 (StaKmctiler.
So^anne^ 55arriciba, ^tx^o^ "oon ^^wah^n.
©tuffi, ber glurfc^u^.
©cr <Sticr »on Uri.
(Sin Olei(^^bctc.
grol^nvogt.
?Wcijlcic <Stcinntc^, ©efeUcn uub ^anblangcr.
Deffentli^e Slu^rufer.
fdavmi)tx^io^t 55ruber.
@e§lerifc^e unb Sanbenbercjifc^e OJeitct.
aside SanbUute, SJidnuer unb ^eiber am ben
SBalbjidtten.
ARGUMENT.
ACT I.
The scene opens on the lake of Lucerne with a song, taken
up successively by a fisherman's boy, a herdsman, and an Alpine
hunter. A storm is fast approaching, and Ruodi, the fisher-
man, who makes his appearance with Werni, the huntsman,
and Kuoni, the herdsman, bids the boy haul the boat ashore.
Baumgarten rushes in and beseeches the fisherman to take
him across the lake, and thus save him from the pursuit of
the troopers of the Governor (l^anb^ogt). He had slain the
Castellan (33ur9t)09t) Wolfenschiessen for having grossly in-
sulted his wife, and now the Landenberg troopers are on his
heels. The fisherman, dreading the storm, refuses, when Tell
enters, and on Ruodi persisting in his refusal, springs himself
into the boat and saves the fugitive. When the pursuing
troopers arrive and find that Baumgarten has escaped, they
rush forth to avenge themselves on the peasants, by destroying
their huts and herds.
The second scene, laid at Steinau in Schwyz, begins with
a brief exhortation of Pfeifer to Stauff'acher not to swear alle-
giance to the House of Austria. When the former is gone,
StaufFacher is joined by his wife, who urges him on to unite
with other right-minded men of Switzerland to shake off the
thraldom under which the country is groaning. Deeply im-
pressed by her words, he leaves in order to consult with his
friend, Walther Fiirst, about the daring enterprise. Now Tell
arrives with Baumgarten in safety, and takes him to Stauf-
facher's house for shelter.
The third scene passes at Altorf in the Canton of Uri.
Workmen are engaged in doing serfs work by order of the
B 2
4 ARGUMENT.
Governor. They are building, under the superintendence of
a taskmaster, a fortified castle to be used as a means of oppres-
sion against the people. Tell and StaufFacher pass by this
scene, and express their feelings of sorrow and indignation at
the sight they witness, when suddenly a strange procession
makes its appearance ; a drum is beaten, and a pole with a hat
on the top of it is brought in. A tumultuous crowd of women
and children follow in the rear. The public herald announces
that henceforth the people of Uri are to do homage to that
hat — as if it were the governor himself. The people laugh at
this order, and the workmen retire to take counsel on the new
and degrading injunction. Stauffacher gives vent to his indig-
nation in passionate terms, but Tell confronts the future with
confidence. They have hardly left, when a general tumult
arises. The slater has fallen from the roof, and Bertha von
Bruneck, who has heard of the deplorable occurrence, rushes
in, offering a reward for his rescue. The master mason scorns
the offer, and Bertha herself forbodes nothing good of the
building, erected under the curse of the people.
The fourth scene is laid in Walther Fiirst's house, where
Arnold von Melchthal, who had struck the servant of the
Governor of Unterwalden, is concealed. The youth is anxious
to return to his aged father who has been left without pro-
tection ; but whilst he is speaking with his host they hear a
knock at the door. Melchthal retires to his hiding place, and
on Fiirst's opening the door, StaufTacher enters, informing him
that the Governor of Unterwalden had blinded MelchthaFs
father for not delivering up his fugitive son. The latter having
heard in the adjoining room the dreadful tidings, rushes in,
and the sad news being confirmed, he at once resolves to
hasten away to avenge his father. But Walther Fiirst and
Stauffacher persuade him to control his just indignation ; and
the three conclude, in the names of the three Cantons, a firm
alliance to shake off the despotic yoke which weighs so heavily
upon the country.
Srfter Slufjug.
Srfte ©cene.
J&o^e^ gclfenufcr be^ asicncalbjlattcrfec^, ©(!^tt)t)j gegcnuBct.
35cr ©ee ntad^t cine S3uc^t tn^ Sanb, eine §uttc ijl unmxt bcm
Ufer. gifc^crfnabe fd^rt fid^ in eiuem »^at)n. Ueber ben
<£ce '^innjeg jief)t man bic grunen 2)iatten, !l)cvfev unb §cfc t)on
©^ittt)i^ im f)eflen €onnenfd)cin Uegen. Bur Sin!cn beg Bufiauerg
^eigen fic^ bie @pi^en beg .^afen, tnit SCoIfen umgeben ; gur 0?ecf)ten
im fernen ^intergrunb fiel)t ntan bic (Siggebiv^e. ^od) ef)c ber
SSor^ang aufge^t, ^ort man ben ^u^reif)en unb bag t)armonifd)e @c?
lantt ber §crbcnglo(!en, mid^ie fid^ auc^ bet eroffneter <Sccnc nod^
cine Beit (ang fortfejt.
JJifc^et!ttaBe (fmgt im ^a^n).
3)?eIobie beg ^ut^reiljeng.
(i^ la^elt ber ®ee, cr labet gum SBabe,
JDer ^naBe fd^Iief ein am griinen ©eftabe,
2)a l^ort cr ein ^linijen,
SQie Sloten fo \vi%
SBie ©timmen ber ©ngel 5
3m $arabieg.
Unb trie et ertrac^et in feliger ^n%
5)a f^iilen bie Staffer i^m um Ht SSvufl,
Unb eg ruft au^ ben ^iefen:
£ieB ^nak, Bifl meinl lo
3c& lorfe ben ©d^lafer,
3c^ gie^' i^n l^erein.
6 aSSi^elm 2:elL
«&itte (auf bem S3ergc).
SSariation beg ^u^rci^enS.
S:^r matkn, UU n:oI;t,
S^r fonnigett ^eibeitl
2)er ^enne mu^ fc^eiben, 15
^er (Sommer ijl l^in,
ffiBlr fasten §u 93erg, irir fommen iriebcr,
SKenn ber ^u!u! ruft, trenn ertrac^en bie £ieber,
S33enn mit 95tumen bie @rbe flc^ flelbet neu,
SBenn bie SBriinnlein flie^en im lieHic^en ^au 20
3^r TlatUn, hU m%
3^r fonnigen SBeiben !
^er (Bmm mu^ fc^eiben,
2)er (Sommer ift l^in*
^l^enjager
(crf^eint gcgenuBer auf ber ^o^t be3 Selfen).
3tt?eite SSariation.
(S§ bonnettt bie ^o^m, e0 fitter! ber ^teg, 25
0lic^t grauet bem 6(^vi^en auf fci;ix)inbli^tem 9GBe3;
(Sr fc^reitet Jjern^egen
5tuf gelbetn ijon ©iS;
$£)a ^ranget !ein gtii^Iing,
5) a griinet fein ^Jid^ ; 30
Unb uttter ben Silken dn mUiCi^M Wlttx,
^rfeunt er bie 6tdbte ber 2)tenfc^en ni^t mel^r;
5)urc^ ben Olig nur ber SCBolfeu
^xUidi er bie ^elt,
5$;ief unter ben SKaffern 35
S)ag grixnenbe 5elb.
(IDic Sanbfd^aft toerdttbert f\^, man ^ort ein bnnt^feg Jlrad^en ten
ten SSevQen, ^c^atten t)on 2Bclfen laufen ubcr bie @ egenb.)
I. Stufjug, I. ©cene. 7
Oluobi, bet % i\ ^ tx, lommt aue Ux ^ntit. SScrni, bet Sagcr,
jieigt »cm gelfen. ^ u o n i, b e r -^ i r t c, fomntt mit bcm SJJelfna^jf
auf ber ©coulter ; @ c ^ p i, fein ^anbBuB, folgt i^m.
9luobu
SOJad^ f)nxixQ, Senni. 3i^^ i>t^ S^^^w^ et«.
5)er grauc ^'^alijogt fommt, bum^f 'hxhUt ber ffirn,
©cr 3[)^i)t:^enfieitt jie^t feiue <§au^e an,
Unb fait i)n BIdft eg aug bem SSetterlod^; 40
2)er ^turrn, id^ mein*, ti^irb ba fein, e^' njir'S benfen^
^ u n i.
'6 fommt Sflegen, Sa'^rmann. SD^eine <&^afe freffen
2^it SBegierbe ©tag, unb SBd^ter fc^artt ble (Srbe*
SBernu
©ie ??ifd^e fijjringen, unb bag SBajferl^ul^n
S^auc^t unter* (Sin ®eix)itter ij^ int Qln^ug. 45
Jt u n { dim S3uBen).
8ug, ©e)3i3i, oB bag 3Sie|) ftd^ nic^t tierlaufen*
®e^3^t.
©ie traune )i^i[el !enn' id^ am ©eldut
Jt u n !♦
®o fe^^It ung feine nte^r, bie ge'^t am njeitjten»
Otuobt.
3^r ^abt ein fd^on ©etdute, 3)^eifter *&irt
SBernu
Unb [c^mucfeg QSie'^ — Sfit'g euer eigneg, :^anbgmann? 50
,^ u n i»
9Bin nit fo reid^ — 'g ifl meineg gndb'gen ^txxn, *
©eg ^tting^duferg, unb mir lUQ^afjlU
8 SBit^clm 2;elL
SCBie f(^5tt bcr St\if) bag SSanb ju Ȥatfe fle^t
Jt u n t»
5)a6 mi^ fie auc^, ba^ fie ben Olei^en fu^rt,
Unb ttd^m' i^ i^f^, fie l^orte auf gu freffem 55
aiuobl
3^r felb nid^t Hug! ©in untiernunft'geg SSle^ —
aBerni.
3jl Mb gefagt 2)a0 ^^ier l^at auc^ SSernunftj
2)a3 ttjiffen njir, bte mx bie ©emfen {agett.
S)ie petlen !Iug, wo fie jur SCBeibe ge^^n,
'ne SSorT^ut auS, bie f^^ifet bag D^r unb njarnet 60
9^it l^etter ^feife, votnn ber Sager nal^t.
3^uobi Gum §irten).
XxnU i^x iefet l^elm?
^ u n !♦
2)ie ^I:^ i(l aBgenjeibet*
SBernu
©lu^fePge »§eimfel^r^ ®enn 1
^ u n t,
5)ie «)unfd^* id^ eu^5
95on eurer ffal^rt fel^rt fl(5^'g nid^t immer n?iebet*
01 u b !♦
2)ort fommt ein 5Kann in i?otter *§afl gelaufem 65
$B e rn i,
3c^ fenn* i'^n, 'g ijt bet SSaumgart t>on ^lljetlen,
Jtonrab 58aumgatten (at^emlo^ l^minjlurjenb).
SBaumgarten.
Urn ®otte0n?itten, ffdl^rmann, euren ^afjnl
I. Slufjug, I. Scene. 9
91 u b i.
0lutt, nun, n?aS giBt'g fo eilig?
aSaumgarten.
SBinbet log I
3^t rettet mic^ i?om 5j:obe. ©e^t ml^ ufcer!
Jtuonu
!i^anbamann, voa^ ^abt i^r?
aScrni.
SBer ijcrfolgt euc^ benn? 70
Saumgarten Qum gifd^er).
^itt, ettt, flc flnb mir bi^t fc^on an ben gerfen!
2)eS !^anbt)ogtS abetter fommen l^inter mir;
3d^ bin ein 2^ann beg ^obS, trenn fie mid^ greifen,
91 u b i.
SBarum tierfotgen eu^ bie 9lei(!gen?
SB a u m g a r t e n.
(Srjl tettet mi^, unb bann fte^' i^ tn^ 9lebe» 75
SBernt
3^r feib mit SBIut It^tdt, xca^ 1)aV^ gegeBen?
as aunt gar ten.
^eS ^aiferS SBurgijogt, ber auf 9lopberg fa^ —
^ u n i.
2)er SBoIfenfc^ief en ! Sdft eud^ ber J?erfoIgen?
aSaumgarten.
5)er fd^abet nic^t me^r, i^ l^aB' i^n erfc^tagen.
Qllle (fasten juruc!).
®ott fei eu^ gndbig! 2Ba0 l^aBt i^r get^an? 80
lo SBil^elm Sell.
SSautttgattctt.
3Ba3 {eber frete 9)?ann an meinem $ta^!
5(m (Sd^dnber tneiner @^r' wnb meineS 2Bei6e0»
Jt u tt !♦
Ǥat euc^ ber 95urgi?ogt an ber Q.f)x^ gefc^ablgt?
SBaumgarten*
S)ag er fcin U^ ®eluf!en ntc^t t)otlBra^t, 8s
»§at @ott unb uteine gute Q(:t:t i?er^utet»
SBcrnu
Sl^r l^aBt i^m mlt ber %t ben Jto^jf gerftjalten ?
^ u n !♦
D laft una atleg l^oren, xf)x ^aU Beit,
SBig et ben ^a^n i?om Ufer logge'bunbem
SBaumgarten^
3c^ ^atte »goI§ gefdtlt im Salb, ba !ommt 90
Wdn SCBeiB gelaufen in ber Qlngfl be^ ^obeS*
„^er SBurgi?ogt lieg* in meinem «§au§, er ^aV
3^r anBefo^Ien, i^m dn SBab jn riijtem
2)rauf ^aW er UngeBvi^rli^e^ i?on i^r
SSerlangt; fie fei entf^rungen, mic^ §u fnc^enJ* 95
J)a lief ic^ frifc^ ^i^ju, fo n?ie i^ voax,
Unb mit ber Qlrt l^aB ic^ il^m '8 23ab gefegnet
5B e r n t^
3^r tl^atet ixio^l, !ein 2)^enf(^ fann end^ brum fd^elten*
^uonu
©er SBiitl^eric?^ ! 2)er l^at nun feinen ^o1)n !
Ȥat'0 lang tjerbient umS SBolf t?on Unterwalbem 100
I. STuf^ug, I. Scene. ii
SSaumgarten.
2)le ^at irarb xu^ihax; mix trirb nac^gefe^t —
Snbem mx f^^rec^en — @ott — i^errinnt bie Qdt —
(de fdngt an ju bonnern.)
,^ u tt !♦
iSxi\d}f Sa^rmann — fc^aff ben SBiebermann l^inu^er I
atuobu
®e^t nic^t ^in f(^trcre§ Ungeujitter iji
3m ^ngug. 3^r muf t tt)arten»
SSaumgarten,
tgciPger ®ott! 105
3d^ !ann nic^t trarten. 3eber 5luffc^uB tobtet —
,^uoni Qum Sifc^er).
@reif an ntit ©ott ! ^em 01d^ften muf man ^elfcn 3
^g !ann unS atlen ©lei^eg ja Begegnen.
(SSraufcn utib JDonncm.)
muobt.
Set go^ ifl to^, i^r \tf)t n^ic ^oc^ ber ®ec ge^t;
3c^ !ann nic^t fteucrn gegen ®tnrm unb Snellen* no
SSaumgarten (untfaf t feim ^nie).
@o l^elf euc^ ©ott, trie % euc^ mein erBarmet —
SSerni.
(gg ge^t um0 )^et?em ©ei Barm^erjig, &d:^rmann.
Jt u n t.
'0 ijl cin Ǥaugt)ater, unb l^at ffieiB unb ,^inbcr !
(SBieber^ctte 2)onncrf^Idgc.)
muobu
2Bag? 3^ ^a:6' axx^ ein SeBen gu i^erlieren,
12 SBil^elm Sell.
«gaB' SBeiB unb Jtlnb ba^elm, n^ie er — ©e'^t ^In 115
Sale's Branbet, tt?ie eg njogt unb SSirBel jie^t,
Uttb atle SBaffer aufru^rt in ber ^iefe*
— 3^ njotlte gem bctt SSiebermann crretten;
©oc]^ eS ifl rein unmogli^, i^r fe^t felBji*
SSaumgarten (nod^ auf ben ^nien).
@o tnu^ i^ fallen in beS SeinbeS Ȥanb, 120
2)a0 na^e Olettung^ufer im ©eftc^te I
— ®ort liegfg! ic^ fann'S erreic^en mlt ben 5lugen,
jQxnxihx bringen fann ber ©timme ^^aU,
^a ifi ber Mai)n, ber mic^ l^inuBertruge,
Unb mu^ l^ler liegen, l^ulflog, unb oer^agen! 125
^ u n i,
<Bti)tf votx ba fommt I
SKernu
e*a ift ber ^etl anQ SBurglen.
Sell wit ber SlrmBvuft.
3:en.
SBer ijl ber ^anrtf ber l^ier urn ^iilfe fle^t?
^ u n i.
'S ift cin Qir^etler S^ann; er ^ai fein* ^^r'
SSertl^elbigt unb ben 2Bolfenf(5^ief erfc^Iagen,
2)e§ ^onig0 SBurgi^ogt, ber auf OloPerg fa^ — 130
2)eg l^anbijogt^ Oleiter flnb i^m auf ben Serfen,
dx flel^t ben ©c^iffer urn bie UeBerfa^rt;
2)er fiir^t't flc^ J?or bem 6turm unb voiU ni^t fa^ren.
Sfl u b i»
®a ift ber ^etl, er fu^rt bag 0luber au^,
^er fotl mir'0 geugen, ob bie Sa^rt ju n?agem 135
I. 2luf5ug, I. Scene. 13
2Bo'3 0lot:^ ti)nt, ff%mann, Id^t f!c^ atleS tragem
(§efticjc 2)cnnerf^tagc, bet ©ce raufd^t auf.)
01 u b !♦
3d^ foU tttid^ in ben ^bUmxa^m ftiir^en?
©aS t:^dte feiner, ber M @innen ifl,
5)er :6rai?e 3[)?ann benft an ftc^ [elBfl jule^t ;
SSertrau' auf ®ott unb tettc ben SBebrdngtem 140
Otuobu
93om ftc^ern ^oxt Idgt flc^'S gemdc^ttc^ ratten.
2)a ifi ber .^al^n, unb bort ber <See ! SSerfuc^t'g I
3:en.
2)er ®ee fann f!d^, ber :^anbt)ogt nid^t ertarmem
SSerfu^' eg, Sd^rmann !
'^irten unb 3dget*
Sflett i^n ! Sflett xf)n ! Stttt if)n !
muobu
Unb trdr'g mein SBruber unb mein leiHi^ Jtinb, 145
^g fann nic^t [ein; *g ijt T^eut 6imon unb Subd,
^a raft ber ®ee unb triU fein D))fer 'i)abm.
Win eitler Sflebe njirb l^ier nid^tS gefd^afft;
3)ie 6tunbe bringt, bem 2^ann mu^ Ȥulfe njerben*
®^3ri^; Sd^rmann, irlUjI bu fa^ren?
aiuobu
01eln, nid^t ic^ ! 150
14 SB{I£)elm 2:elL
3tt @otte3 0lamen benn ! ®iB l^er ben ^a^nl
^ u p n i.
Ȥa, voadx^x ^ell!
Sernu
2)ag gleic^t bem SBaibgefeUett !
SSaumgarten*
SJ^ein Olettet felb i^r unb mein (Sngel, XtUl
3[Bo^l aug beg SSogta ©eti^alt errett' i^ euc^, 155
-5lug (SturmeS ^lot^en tnu^ ein ^nbrer l^elfem
2)od^ Beffer ift'^, ii)x fattt in ©otte^ ^cin'o
^U in ber SO^enf^en* *
(3u bem §trten.)
:&anbSmann, tropet i^r
S^ein 3[Bei^, trenn mir x)oa^ 2)ienfd^lic^eg Begegnet
3d^ l^ab' getl;an, njag id^ nic^t laffen fonnte, 160
(@i: fpringt in ben ^af)iu)
^uoni (mm gifc^er).
3^r feib ein 2^eifter ©teuermann* SCBag flc^
2)er ^ell getraut, tia^ fonntet i^x nic^t njagen?
muobi.
SBo^^l :6ejfre !Kdnner t^un'g bem XtU nid^t nad^,
^0 giBt nic^t jtxiei, njie ber ifi, im ©ebirge^
5CB e r n i (iji auf ben gc(3 Qejiiegen).
©r pof t fc^on aB, ®ott l^elf bir, Brat)er 6c^n?immer I 165
@ie^^ n?ie bag 6^iff lein anf ben Snellen fc^n^anft !
I. Slufsug, I. Scene. 15
.Jt u n i (am Ufer).
Die Slutl^ Qt1)i bruBer votQ — 3c^ fe^'^ nid^t nie'^r.
2)0^ i)aU, ba ifi eg w^leber ! ^raftiglic^
StrBeitet {!d^ bet SBacfre burc^ bie SBranbung^
© e ^ ^ I.
SeS Sanbijogtg 9lelter fommen angef^rengt 170
Jt u n i»
SBeif ®ott, jle flnb'g ! ©ag n^ar ^ulp in ber ^ot^.
©ill XnH3\) Sanbeiil^crQifd^er flfieiter.
©rfier Sfleiter^
Sen 3)^5rber ge^t ^erauS, ben i^r i?erBorgenI
3 tx) e i t e r^
©eg SBegg !am er, umfonft ijer^e^It il^r il^n*
,^uoni unb Sluobi.
SBen ttieint i^r, Oleiter?
©rper Sleiter (entbccft ben madden).
jQa, trag fe^' i^ ! 3:eufel !
SSerni (oBcnX
Sj^'g ber im SRa^en, ben i^r fu^t? — melt §ul 175
aSenn il^r fri[d^ ^eilegt, :§oIt i^r il^n noc^ eln»
3 tr e i t e r*
5Sern?unfd^t ! ^r ij^ enticif^t.
Srfier (sum §irten unb Sift^et).
3^r ^aBt ii)m fortge^olfen.
5^r font ung ^ugen — Satlt in i^xt ^tx'tt !
2)ie »&utte reiget eln, trennt unb f^Iagt nteberl
((Silen fort.)
i6 SBil^elm SelL
O melttc Sdmmerl
Jtuonl (fotfit).
ffie^ mir, melne Ǥcrbel i8o
ffiBerni.
01 u obi (nngt bic J&dnbe).
®erec^tlg!eit bc0 ^§111x11x013,
2Bantx wirb ber Oietter fomnxen biefem Sanbe?
(gotgt i'^nen.)
Smite Scene.
3u @teincn in ©d^tr^j. ®inc Sinbe \)or beg ©tauffa$cr3 §aufc an
ber Sanbjirafe, nd^jl ber S3ru(!e.
SBerner ©tauffac^cr, $feifer »ott Sujeru
fommcn im ©efprdci^.
$feifet.
3a, Ja, Ȥert 6tauffa(?^er, trie ic^ eu^ fagtc*
<8^tt?ott ixi^t ju Deftreid^, njeixtx i^r'S fonixt ijermeibetx.
Ǥaltet fefl atix Olcid^ utxb iracfer, ttjie bi^^tx. 185
@ott fd^irtrxe euc^ Ui eurer alteix grei^eitl
(JDrucft ii)m ^erglid^ bic §anb uttb h)iU ge^en.)
©tauffa^er.
35IeiBt boc^, 6i8 ttxcitxe SGBirtl^in fonxitxt — i^r feib
a^eirt @ap ju ^^vot)^, i^ itx Su^erix ber (Sure,
^feifer.
SSiet 2)an!! 3J?uf l^eute ©erfau ixod^ errei(^eit.
— 3BaS i^r auc^ ^^njereS ttxijgt ju leibetx l^aBerx 190
I. Slufjug, 2. (Scene* 17
SSott eurer SSogte ®eij unb UeBerntutl^,
5lragt'0 in @ebutb! ©g !ann flc^ dnbern, fd^netl,
^in anbrer .^aifer l^nn an^ Oteic^ gelangen*
(Seib il^r erft Defierreic^^, feib i|)r'3 auf immcr^
@r get)t aB. <Staitjfac^er fe^t fi^ fummcttoon auf cine S3anf imter
ber Sinbe. ©0 ftnbet i^n ® e r t r u b, fcinc grau, bie fi^ neBcn
tl)n jleKt unb iC)n eine Beittang f^ii^eigcnb betrac^tet.
® e r t r u b.
^0 ernfi, mein Sreunb? 3c^ !enne bic^ ni^t me^r. 195
^c^ott ijiele 3!age fc^' i^'iS [c^treigenb an,
SBie jrnflrer 3!ruBflnn beine (Stirne furc^t
5tuf beinem »§er^en brucft ein ftitt ©eBrefien,
33ertrau' e0 niir ; ic^ Bin bein treueS SBeiB,
Unb meinc ^dlfte forbr' ic^ beine^ ©ramS. 200
((Staujfa^er teic^t x^x bie J&anb unb fd^hjeigt.)
$Bag !ann bein »§er§ Beflemmcn, fag' eS mir.
©efegnet ijl bein gleif, bein ©liicfsflanb U\x^,
QSoU flnb bie ©c^eunen, unb ber Oiinber ©d^aaren,
2)er glatten ^ferbe n?ot)Ic;end]^rte 3n^t
3fl i?on ben SBergen glitcfUd^ l^eimgeBrad^t 205
3ur ffiinterung in ben Bequemen (Stdtten*
— ®a fle^t bein »gau§, reic^, trie ein (Sbelfl^ ;
SSon fc^onem (Stammt;otj ijl e§ neu ge^immett
Unb n<x6:i bem Sflid^tma^ orbenttic^ 9^fngt;
S3on t)ieten Senjiern gtdn^t e6 n:o^nIid^, l^etl; 210
SSlxi Bunten SKa^j^jenfc^ilbern ijl'6 Bemalt
Unb ireifen (S^riic^en, bie ber 5Banber§mann
SSeweilenb lieft unb i^ren <Sinn Benjunbert.
©tauffad^et*
SBo^t fte^t ba0 »gaug gejimmert unb gefiigt,
I)0(^ a^ — e^ n?an!t ber ©runb, auf bem njir Bauten. 215
c
i8 2Bil{)elm Siell.
® e r t r u b.
Whin SSerner, fage, n?ie cerfte^jl; bu ba3?
6tauffa(^er»
3Sor biefer Slnbe faf ic^ iuttgj^, trie ^eut,
2)aa [c^on SSotlBractjte freubig u^erbenfenb,
^a !am ba^er t)on ^ufnac^t, [einer SBurg,
2)er SSogt mit feluen S^eifigen geritten* 220
3Sor biefem *§aufe ^ielt er njunbernb an;
2)oc^ ic^ er^oB mid^ fc^neU, unb untewurftg
SCBie ftc^'§ geBu^rt, trat id^ bem »§etrn entgegen,
^er unS beS ^aifetg ric^terlic^e Si^ac^t
33orjtettt im J^anbe. SKeffen ift bie^ ^au0? 225
Sragt' er BoSmeinenb, benn er n^u^t' e^ n?o^L
2)oc^ f^netl Befonnen i^ entgegn' i^m fo:
2)ieg ^aug, »§err 33cgt, ift meineg ^errn beg »^ai[era,
Hub eureg, unb mein £e^en — 2)a ijerfegt er :
„3c^ Bin Oiegent im )&anb an ^faifer^ <Btatt, 230
Unb tx)itl nic^t, ba§ ber SBauer »§au[er ^am
^uf feine eigne ^anb, unb alfo frei
ǤinIeB/ aU oB er Ǥerr n^dr' in bem Sanbe;
3c^ n?erb' mic^ unterfte^n, euc^ bag ju nje^ren.**
5)ieg fagenb ritt er tru^iglic^ i)on bannen 235
3^ aBer BlieB mit !ummert)otler (^eele,
2)a0 ^ort Bebenfenb, bag ber SBofe f:prac^.
® ertrub*
a^ein lieBer *§err unb (^^mixt^ ! 2)?agj^ bu
din reblic^ ilBort t>on beinem 5BeiB i?erne:^men?
2)eg ebeln 3Bergg ^oc^ter rii^m' i^ mici^, 340
2)e8 i?ielerfal^rnen 2)tanng, SBir ©c^ti^eflern fafen,
5)ie SSoUe f^innenb, in ben langen dla(i)Un,
QBenn Bei bem 33ater ft^ beg SSolfeg ^du^Jter
I. Sluf^tig, 2. Scene. ,19
SSerfammeltctt, bie $ergamente lafeit
^er alten »^aifer, unb be3 £anbeS SBo^I 245
SSebac^ten in tiernunftigem ©ef^rdd^.
5Iufmcr!cnb l^ort' ic^ ba man^ flugeS SBort,
SBag ber SSerfidnb'ge ben!t, ber ®ute trunfc^t,
Unb ftiU im ^geqen l^aB' ic^ ntir'0 Bcn^a^^rt.
(So t;ore benn unb d^V auf meine 9tebe, 250
5)enn n?a6 bic^ ^rc^te, ftet;, bag trugt' id^ Idngft.
— £)ir groUt ber ![^anbt)Dgt, moc^te gem birfc^aben,
^mn bu 6ift it;m ein Ȥinberni^, bag flc?^
2)er <Sd^iT3i)3er nic^t bcm neuen gur(!en^au0
SBill untertrerfen, fonbern treu unb fejt 255
SSeim Oleic^ Be^arren, tt?ie bie n^urbigen
5(Itt)orbern e8 ge^^atten unb gef^an. — ^'-^
Sjl'g nid^t fo, aSemer? Sag' e6, trenn ic^ luge!
©tauffa^er.
©0 ift'S, bag ifl be§ ©eflerS ©roll auf mid^^
® e r 1 1 u b.
(^r ijl bir neibifd;, n:eil bu glu(!lic^ njo^nfl, 260
^in freler SOtann auf beinem eignen (ExV
— ®enn er ijat ItinL 93om ^aifer felBfl unb Oleld^
2!rdgjl bu bie6 ^an^ ^u l^e^n; bu barffi eg geigen,
©0 gut ber Oleid^gfurfl feine Sdnber ^eigt;
©enn u^ier bir erfennfi bu feinen »§errn, 265
5ltg nur ben «god^flen in ber gl^rijtentjeit —
^r iji ein jungrer ©o^ nur feineg t§aufeS,
CRi^tg nennt er fein aU feinen Oiittermantel ;
5)rum fle^t er {ebeg SBiebermanneg (^Ihd
Win fd^eeten 5Iugen gift'ger S^iggunjt an. 270
^ i r ^at er Idngjl ben Untergang gefc^troren —
^o(f) p^\t bu untierfe^^rt — SCBidji bu ertrarten,
c 2
20 SBil^elm 2:elL
95U et bie 65[e Sujl an bir geMgt?
2)er Huge SDianit Baut i?or»
6tauffac^er.
S33ag i|l ^u t^un?
© crtrub (tritt ndljer).
<^o ^6re ttteinen S^at^ ! 5)u tret^t, mt ^ier 275
3u (S^ici)^ fic^ aUe IHcblic^en Beflagen
DB btcfea J^anbijogta ®eij unb SKut^ereu
^0 jtreifle nic^t, bag ftc bort bruBen auc^
3n Untertxsalben unb im Urner )^anb
S)e0 2)ran9e3 mub' flnb unb be3 :^attcn 3o(^§ — 280
^mn trie ber ©e^er ^ier^ fo f^afft e8 frec^
5)er !^anben^ergcr bruBen uBeriu @ee —
(S0 fommt feln 5ifc^erM;n ju ung ^erittjer,
5)er nic^t ein neueg Unveil unb @cn:alt^
SSeginnen ijon ben 3S5gten iin^ ijerfunbet. 285
^rum tl;dt' e^ gut, bag euer etltc^e,
2)te'g rebli^ meinen, fliU ^u S^tat^e cjingen,
3©ie man be0 5^'ru^g ftc^ nicest' erlebigen;
@o ad^t' ic"^ n^o^t, ©ott trutb' euc^ nic^t i^erlaffen,
Unb ber gerec^ten ^ac^e gndbig fein — 290
^ajl bu in Uri felnen ©aftfreunb, f^rid^,
5)em bu bein ^gerj magft reblid^ ofenBaren?
©tauffa^er*
©er tradPern SO'^dnner fenn' i^ i^iele bort
Unb angefe^en groge ^errenteute,
Sie mit ge^eim ftnb unb gar n:ot)t ijertraut. 295
((Sr fleljt auf.)
Srau, treld^en (Sturm gefd^^rlic^er ©eban!en
SBeceft bu mtr in ber ftitlen SBrufl! 2)kin 3nnerfle3
\^e^rfi bu ang 2:i^i M S^ageg mir entgegen,
I. Stufjug, 2. Scene. 21
Unb traS ic^ mir ju benfen fiiU t>erBot,
2)u f:pri(^j^'^ mit leister Qnno^t fecflic^ au3* 300
— «§afi bu au^ tro^l Bebac^t, trag bu mir xaii)ft ?
5)ie trilbe S^i^^^*^^}^ ^^^'^ i'^n ^lang ber $8affen
Olufjl bu in biefeg fricbgetijo^nte ^^al —
3[Bir n?agten e3, ein fc^ti^ad^eg SSoIf ber ^irtcn,
3n .^arn^f ju get)en mit bem Ǥerrn ber 2Belt? 305
5)er gute <Sc^ein nur ifl'S, trorauf fte irarteu,
Urn lo^^ulaffen auf bieg arme £anb
2)ie trilben Ǥorben i^rer ^riev3e6mad^t,
Sarin ju fc^alten mit beS <Sieger§ ^^d^kn,
Unb unterm @d;ein gerec^ter S^c^tigung 310
®ie alten Srei^eitehiefe gu J^ertitgem
® e r t r u b.
3:^r feib audi) Scanner, n^iffet eiirc 5(xt
3u fiit;ren, unb bem aJ^ut^igen l^ilft @ottI
©tauffad^er.
D SBei^l Sin furd^tkr trdt^^enb ©c^recfni§ iji
5)er »^rieg; bie »&erbe fd^Idgt er unb ben ^irten. 315
® e r t r u b.
Srtragen mu^ man, tra§ ber «§lmmel fenbet;
UnbiUigeS ertrdgt fein eble^ ^ger^,
©tauffa^er*
®ie3 *§au8 erfreut bi^, ba^ irir neu er^auten*
©er ^rieg, ber ungel;eure, hennt eg nieber*
® e r t r u b.
SBuft* i^ mein «gerj an geitlic^ ®ut gefeffelt, 320
2)en 23ranb n?drf ic^ l^inein mit eigner »&anb*
©tauffa^er.
5)u glauBfl an SKenfc^lic^feit* (i^ fc^ont ber Jtrieg
5luc^ nid^t bag garte «^iub(ein in ber SBiege.
22 SBit^efm XtlU
® e r t r u b^
3)le Uttfd^ulb f)at m Ȥimmel cinen SreunK
— 6ie^ jjowdrtg, SKerner, unb nic^t l^inter bid^ I 325
©tauf father*
Sir SU^anner fontten ta:^fer fec^tenb fier^en^
5CBeI(^ 6d^i(![al aUx wiirb bag eure fcin?
© e r t r u b»
^ie Ie|tc 3Ba^I flel^t au^ bem ^c^njad^jlen offen,
©in <Bpx\\nQ t>on biefer SBru^e mac^t tni^ frei»
(Stauffac^er (fiuqt in i'^rc 5lrtttc).
3Ber fotc^ cin ^gerj an feinen SBufen briicft, 330
^I^er fann fiir tgerb unb ^of niit ffreuben fec^ten,
Unb feineg »^onig0 »§eerma(^t fiirc^tet er —
dUi^ Uxi fai)x* ic^ pe^nben Su^eS gteid^;
^ort le^t ein ©aftfreunb mir, »§err Saltier Surj!,
^er ixBer biefe QnUn benft icie ic?^» 335
%u^ finb' ic^ bort ben ebein 33annerl^crrn
3Son Q(ttingl^au0 — oBgleic?^ i?on ]^ot;em ^^ta'mm,
;^ie^t er bag 33olf unb e^rt bie alten (bitten.
Wit i^nen Beiben ^jfleg' ic^ Otat^g, n?ie man
2)er J^anbegfeinbe mut(;ig fi^ nvod)xt — 340
^th n?ol;t — unb n?eil ic^ fern Bin, fiil^re bu
Wit flugem 6inn bag Olegiment beg »§aufeg —
2)ein ^ilger, ber §um ©otteg^aufe n^adt,
$Dem frommen 2^5nc?^; ber fiir fein Mlo^tx fammett,
®iS rei(5^lic^ unb entla^ i:§n n:o^rge^fIegt» 345
(Stauffac^erg Ǥaug t>ert)ir9t ftc^ ni^t. 3^ du^erfi
^m offnen ^eerujeg fte^t'g, tin n^irt^lic^ 2)a^
giir aUe 3Sanbrer, bie beg 3CBegeg fa^ren.
Snbem pe nad^ bem ^intergtunbe aBgeT)en, tritt 2B i I ^ c t m ^ e 11
mit ^aumgarten vorn auf bie @cenc.
I. 2luf5ug, 3- Scene. 23
J^ell Qu ©aumgartctt).
3^r ^ahi {e|t metner tretter nic^t tionnSt^ctt.
3u ienem ^^aufe ge^et ein, bort voo^ni 350
2)er (Stauffac^er, ein 33ater ber SSebrdngtcit
— ©0^ fle^, ba ifl er feller — Srolgt mir, fommt !
(®e^cn auf i^n ju; tie @cene ijernjanbclt ji^^O
2)ritte ©cene.
Deffcnttt(^cr $(a^ Bei Slttorf.
5luf etner 5ln^6I)c tm ^intergntnb fic!|t man eine Scflc Bauen, mX^t
fc^on fo \mt ^ebic^cn, bag fic^ bie gorm bc^ ©atij^cn bavjlcUt. ^ic
ifintcrc <Sette ifl fcrtig, an bcr ttorbern n?irb cbcn g^thunt, ba6 ©erufle
flc^t no(^, an welc^em bic *IBer!(eute auf unb nieber fieigen; auf
bcm ^cc^iien 2)ac^ (jdugt ber (Sc^ieferbccfer — Slfic^ iji in SSemegung
unb Slrbeit.
Srol^nvogt. SWcijlcr ^tctnme^. ®c fell en unb
J&anblan^er.
Sro^nt»ogt
(mit bent ©tabe, treibt bie Slrbeiter).
Sflidftt tang gefeiert, frif^! 2)ie SfJ^auerjIeine
»&crSei, ben ^al!, ben SD'^ortel jugefa^ren!
SGBenn ber «&err £anbi?ogt fommt, bag er bag 3Berf 355
©enjac^fen fle^^t — 2)ag fd^lenbert trie bie (Bdjmdm,
(3n jnjei ^anblangem, iteld^e tragen.)
»§eift bag gelaben? ©letc^ bag 2)oppe(teI
2Bie bie 3:agbiebe ifire ^flic&t beftefclcnl
H SBil^elm 3;elL
©rj^cr ©efell.
2)a§ if! boc^ 'f)axt, bag mx bie ©tetne fcIBf!
3u uuferm ^»?ing unb ^erfer foUen fa&reni 360
Sa0 murret i^r? ©aS ij! ein fc^Iec^teg SSoIf,
3u nic^tg anpetlig, al^ bag SSie^ ju melfen,
Unb faut l^erum §u fc^Ienbern auf ben SBergen*
filter a^ann (tuljt auO-
3c^ fami nic^t me^r.
Jjro^nijogt (fc^uttclt i^n).
grif^, filter, an bie 5tr6eitl
(Srficr ©efell,
^aU if)x bcnn gar fein ©ingetreib', baf i^r 365
2)en ©reig, bet faum ftd) fclBer fc^te^)3en tann,
3um l^arten gvo^nbienft treiBt? .
SD^eificr ©teinme^ tmb ©efellen,
'0 ifl l^lmmelf^reienb 1
&rol^ni?ogt.
©orgt i^r fur euc^; ic^ t^n\ tx)a0 meincS Qlmtg.
3«^eiter ©efell.
5ro'^ni?ogt, trie irivb bie Sejie benn flc^ nennen,
©ie »ir ba baun?
g r D ^ n ti g t.
3n?ing Uri foil f!e ^eifen; 37°
©enn unter biefeS 3oc^ trirb man euc^ Beugen*
©efellem
3n?ing Uri!
I. Slufjug, 3. Scene. 25
gro|)n^ogt.
Sn^eiter ©efelL
a^lt blefem Ǥau0lein ti^odt i^r Uri gn?ingen?
e-rfter ©efell.
;^a^ fe^tt, trie ^iel man folc^er 3[J?aufeurf6|)aufen
3P^uf ixUx 'nanber fegen, UQ tin SSerg 375
©rau0 n?irb, n?ie ber geringfle nur in Uri!
(Sro^n^ogt ge^t na^ bcm J&intcrgrunb.)
SD^eificr ©teinnte^* /^"^
^en jammer n:erf' ic^ in ben tiefjlen 6ee,
©er mir gebient Bei biefem Sluc^get^dube 1 :t^
%tU unb ©tauffa^cr fommcn.
©tauffac^en
D :^dtt' i(^ nie gelebt, urn bag ju fc^aum!
3:eIL
»&iet ijl ni^t gut fein. )^a^t un8 votiUx Qtfjxu . 380
6tauffa(5^er»
SBln id^ ju Uri, in ber grei:^eit £anb?
SJteijler ©tcinnte^.
D ^err, trenn i^r bie better erfl gefe^^n
Unter ben ^l^urmenl 3a, n?er bie Uvoo^nt,
3)er n?irb ben ^a^n ni^t fiirber frd^en l^oren*
©tauffad^er*
D ©otti
© t e i ti m e ^.
©e^t btefe fflanfen, biefe ©tre6e)3feiler I 385
3)ie pe^n, n:ie fur bie ©wigfeit gebaut
26 2BiIf)eIm 3;ell.
lIBa0 «5dnbe Bauten, fonncn *§«nbe jtur^en.
(9^a(^ ben S3ergcn geigcnb.)
S)a§ «§aua ber Sreiljelt ^at un6 ©ott gegrunbet*
SP'^an I)ort einc Xxommd, e6 Fommen Seute, bie etncn §ut auf etner
©tangc tvagen, cin Slu^rufer folgt t^nen, Seibcr unb Jlinber
bringcn tuniultuarifc^ na(^.
(5rper ©efelL
3Bag njitt bic trommel? ©eBet -^^t!
2)?eijtcr (Steinme^.
Sa§ fur
©in Sa^nac^taaufgug, unb tra6 fotl ber «§ut? 390
9(u6rufer.
3n beS ,^aifer0 Sflamen! Ǥ5ret!
©efellctt,
etltr bo(^! «g5ret!
5lu§rufer»
3t;r fe^et blefen Ǥut, 2^dnner t>on Urt!
^lufri^ten trirb man i^n auf l^o'^er <BmU,
WlitUn in ^Itorf, an bent I;o^fien Drt,
Unb biefeS ijl beg )&anbt>ogtg SBiU' unb 2J?einung: 395
5)em Ȥut foU glel^e @^re, njie i^m felBfl, gefd^e^n.
Wlan foil i^n ntit geBognem ,^nie unb ntit
^ntBIo^tem «§au^t t)eret;ren — ^aran mU
2)er ^bniQ bie ®et;orfamen erfennen.
SSerfatlen ijl ntit feinem SJeiB unb ®ut 400
5Dem t^onige, n?er bag ©eBot ijerac^tet.
(IDa^ 95olf la^t taut auf, bie Xxcmmti tcxxt gerul^rt, fie ge^en
»oruber.)
I. Slufjug, 3. Scene. 27
erjier ©efelL
ffield^ neue0 Unerl^orteS 1)at ber S3ogt
(Sic^ au^gefonnen! 3lBir 'nen ^^ut i^erel^renl
©agt, ^at man je ijcrnommen t>ott bergleic^en ?
SD^eijicr ©tcinmeft*
ffiir unfre ^\mt Beugcit einem <§iit! 405
%xiibt er fein (S:pie( mit ernfi^aft trurb'gen !iJeuten?
^rfler ©efelL
$Bar^§ no* ble faiferli^e ^ron'! ®o ifl'3
2)er Ǥut t)on Deflertei^; i* ^af) i1)n ^angen
UeBer bem ^l^ron, njo man bie Se^en giBt»
SD^eijier 0teinme§»
®er «§ut ton De|!cmid^ ! ®eBt ^l^i, e3 ifi 410
(iin ffattfiricf, un6 an Deprei^ ju ijerrat^en!
©cfellcm
^eln ^^renmann trlrb ftc^ ber <Sc^mad^ Bequcmen*
2JJetjler ®teinme|.
^ommt, laf t unS mit ben 2(nbern ^6reb' nel^men.
(©ie ge^en nac^ ber 5!iefc.)
3! ell Gum ©tauffad^cr).
S^r trijfet nun SBefd^eib* £eBt njot;!, ^err aBerner!
(Stauffa^er^
SGo njotlt il^r ^in? D eilt nid^t fo i?on bannem 415
^eir.
SWein ^au0 ent^el^rt be0 33ater5, :^eBet xt}0%
©tauffac^er,
Wlix ijt bag ^gerj fo voU, mit eucS^ ju reben.
(Stauffa^er.
^0^ fonnteit SBorte un^ ^u 3:!i^aten fii'^ren.
©tauffa^cr.
©oU man ertragen, tra0 unleiblic^ ij^?
2)le fd^netlcn ^errfc^cr fltib'g, bie !uvj regteven^
— S©enn ftc^ ber So^n er^^eBt aug feinen ©(i^Iunben,
!^ofc?^t man bie gcuer aug, bie ©c^iffe fuc^en
^'ilenb0 ben ^afen, unb ber mdd^t'ge ©eift 425
@e^t o^ne (Sc^aben, fpurloS, iihcx bie ^rbe»
©in ieber leBe piU M ftc^ baf)eim;
©em iJrieblic^en Qma1)xt man gern ben Srieben*
©tauffad;er.
SO^eint it;r?
^elL
5)ie ©(^lantje ftic^t nic^t ungereijt
(Sie n:erben enblic^ bocf; t?on felBft ermixben, 430
^enn fie bie )^anbe ru^ig Sleikn fe^m
©tauffac^er,
SBir fonnten ijtel, Jrenn n:ir ^ufammen ftunben^
^ell.
SBeim ©c^ipruc^ ^ilft ber (Sin^elne j!^ Ieid)ter.
6tauffa(5^er.
©0 !alt ijerlaft il^r bie genuine 6ac^^e?
I. Slufjug, 3. ©ccnc. 29
€itt ieber jd^tt nut ftc^cr auf ftc^ felBfl. 435
^tauffad^er^
SSer^unben ircrbcn auc^ bic (S^n?ac()en mdc^^ticj^
$£)er ©tarfe ifi am mdc^tigjlen alleim
©tauffa^er*
<Bo Unn bag SSaterlanb auf euc^ nic^t ^d^ten,
5GBenn e^ ijergtreiflunggi^oll jur S'Iott;tre:^r gteift?
^ell (cjiBt it)m bic §anb).
©er ^etl ^olt ein tierlorneS !^amm i?ont 5ltjgrunb, 440
Unb foUte feinen grcunben ftc^ cntjiet;en?
2)oc^, traS i^r t:§ut, la^t mic^ auS eurem 9latl§!
3c^ !ann ni^t lange ^tufen ober trd^Ien.
SBeburft i^^r nteiner ^u kftimmter %^at,
Z)ann ruft ben ^ed, eg foU an mir ni^t fe^^Ien. 445
(®e"^en aB ju »crf(^iebencn (Seitcn. (5in ^tcjli(^et: 5luflauf entjle^t
um ba^ ©erujle.)
iKcijier ©teinme^ (cilt ^in)
2Ba8 glBt'S?
^rfler ©efell (fommt ^or, rufcnb)
®er ©c^ieferbecfer ifi 5?om Sac^ Qeftiir^t^
S3ert%a jlutjt herein, ©cfotc^*
aSert^a.
Sjl er jerfc^mettert? Olennet, tettet, ^etft —
SBenn »§iilfe tnogli^, xcikt, ^ier ift ©olb —
• (2Birft i^r ©efc^meibe unter bag SSolf.)
30 2Bitf)elm 3;eII.
SDt e i ft e r*
ma eutem ©olbe! mt^ i\t euc^ fell 450
Um ®olb; tcenn il)r ben SSater t)on.ben Jtinbern
©eriffen uub ben a^ann t>on feinem SGBeiBe,
Unb Sammer ^a^t geBrac^t uSer bie Selt,
2)en!t i^x'^ mlt ©olbe gu i?ercjuten — ®e^t !
SSir iraren fro^e 2^enfd)en, e^' i^r Umt, 455
3Dtit eu^ ijt bie SSerjnjeiflung eiuge^ogen.
SBert^a (ju bcm SroI)u»o9t, ber guvudffcmmt).
mt er?
(grol^n^ogt QtBt ein Seii^en be^ ©egeut^eil^)
D unglucffePgeg 6c^lof, mit ffIM;en
(SvBaut, unb Sluc^e n?erben bic^ Ben^o^nen!
(©eljt aB.)
SSierte Scene.
SBatf^et gurjl unb 5lrnotb i?ottt 3)?et^t:^at treten gugUi^
ein, vcn tjerfc^iebenen <Seiten.
SSaltl^er giirjl.
SSenn ntan ung uBerrafd^te!
SBIeiSt, vco i^r feib. SBir ftnb umringt i?on 6^al;ern. 460
SJ^eld^t^aL
SSringt i^r mir nidjtS i?on Urtcrrcalben ? 0lid)t0
^on meinem 33ater? SRic^t ettrag' i^'g Idnger,
I. SlufjUQ/ 4. fe'cene. 31
^lU eln ©efangner mufig l^ier gu liegen.
SBag l^aB' ic^ benn fo 6trdfli^e0 9etl;att,
Um ntic^ gleic^ elnem SD^orber ^u i^erBergen? 465
2)em fred^en SSuBen, ber bie Deafen mir,
2)a^ trefflic^jle ©efpann, i?or meinen ^lugeti
2Beg JToUte treiBcn auf beg SSogtg ©e^^eif,
«&aB' i^ ben Singer mit bent @taB geBrocl)em
SBaltl^er gnrj^.
S^r feib ju rafd^. 2)er 2Bu6e n?ar beg 23ogtg; 470
33 on eurer Dbrigfeit n?ar et gefenbet.
3^r n?art in ©traf gefaden, ntu^tet eu^,
5lBie fc^n:er fte rt^ax, ber 25upe fd;ii:eigenb fiigem
^rtragen foUt* i^ bie leid^tfert'ge 9flebe
3)eg Unijerfd^dmten : „SBenn ber SBauer SBrob 475
^Bottt' effen, ntog' er felbji am $f(uge giel^n!"
3n bie ©eele fdjnitt mir'g, alg ber S5uB bie Dd^fen,
©ie f^onen ^iere, i?on bem ?5fluge fi^annte;
5)um^f BruHten fte, alg l^dtten fte ©efii^l
2)er UngeM^r, unb ftiefen mit ben «&5rnern; 480
5)a iikrna^m mid^ ber gere^te 3orn,
Unb meiner fel^ft ni^t t&err, fd^lug i^ ben SSoten.
SBalt^er Svlx%
D, !aum ^e^tringen irir bag eig'ne Ǥer^;
2Bie foil bie ra[c^e Sugenb ftc^ Uia^mml
a^elc^t^aL
fWic^ {ammert nur ber SSater — ©r tebarf 485
(So fel^r ber $flege, unb fein ©o^n i\t fern.
5)er 3Sogt iji i^m ge^dffig, njeil er ftetg
&iir Ole^t unb Srei^eit reblid^ :^at geftritten.
S^ SBil^etm Sell.
5)rum ttjerben fte ben atten 9)?ann Bebrangen,
Unb ttlemanb i\t, ber i^n i?or Unglimipf f(^u|e* 490
— ' ®evbe mit mir, nja^ \mU, ic^ mug ]^inu13er,
5BaItI;er gurfi*
^nrattet nut unb fagt eucf;> in ©ebulb,
9Bi§ 0lac6ri(^t un0 t;eru6er fomnit i?om 2BaIbe»
Sc^ t;5re flo^jjfen, ge^t — SSietteid^t ein SBote
SSom ;^anbt)ogt — ®el;t f^m'm — 31;r feib in Uri 495
0li^t ft(l;et: i)or beg £anbenBevgev0 ^(rm,
^mn bie ^ijraunen teic^en ftc^ bie ^iin'iit.
®ie lel^ren ung, rrag n?ir t:^un foUtem
^alt^er gurft*
©e^tl
3^ tuf eu(^ njieber, irenn'g l^ter ft^er ift,
(3}?el(^tl)at gel)t ^inein.)
Set Unglu^felige, ic^ barf i^m nlcfit 500
@efte:^en, wa^ mir SSofeg (entrant — SKer fto^jft?
(&o oft bie ^^ure raufc^t, ewart' i^ Unglucf.
SSerrat^ unb ^tgnjo^n lauf^t in alien ©tfen;
SBig in bag Snnerfie ber »&dufer bringen
2)ie SSoten ber ®en:alt; fcalb t^dt' eS ^flof^, 505
SBiv l^dtten <S^Iog unb €fliegel an ben ^^iiren*
(Sx offnet unb tritt crjiaunt ptM, ba Serner <Stauffa(!§ec
^txmtxitt,
SKag fe^^ id^? 3^r, ^gerr Sernerl 0lun, M ©otti
^in tcert^er, t^eurer ®afl — !ein 'Beffrer S^ann
3ft iiBer biefe <8cC)njetle ni?^ gegangen.
(Seib l^od^ njiUfommen unter meinem ®ad^I 510
SCBag fii:^rt eu^ :^er? SKag fuc^t i:^r l^ier in Uri?
I. Slufsug, 4- Scene. 33
©tauffa^er &rti bie §anb teic^enb).
©ie alien S^iten unb bie alte ©djtreig*
aBaItl;er gur^
2)ie Bringt i^x mit euc=^ -— @ie^, ntir n^lrb fo ttjot;!,
SCBarm Qel^t bag »&er§ ntir auf Bei eurem QlnBIitf.
— @c|t euc^, ^en* SBerner — SBie i^erlieget i^r 515
grau ©ertrub, eure angene^me SBirt^in,
2)eg m\\m SBergg l^oc^J^erftdnb'se ^oc^ter?
SSon aUtn SBanbrern aug bem beutfd^en I^anb,
©ie iito SDZcinraba 3^^ nac^ 3BeIfcl;Ianb fasten,
Oltit;mt jcber euer gaftli^ «gau6 — 2)od^ fagt, 520
^ommt il^r fo tUn frifc^ i?on glixelen l^er,
Unb 'ijaU eud^ nirgenbg fonft noc?^ umgefel^n
©^* i^r ben 5Ju^ gefefet auf biefe ©(l;n?ellc?
(Stauffad^er (fe^t jld)).
SBo^^I ein erflaunlid^ neueg 2Ber! l^al)' ic^
a3ereiten fe^en, bag mid^ ni^t erfreute. 525
aSalt^er Surfi^
D greunb, ba ^aU i^r'g gleid) mit ein em S3Ii(!e!
©tauffad^en
^in fotd^eg ijl in Uri nie gctt^efen —
©eit 2)Zenfd^enben!en n?ar idn ^wing'^of ^n,
Unb fejl war feine SBo^nung, aU bag ®raB»
SBaltl^er 5urj!.
(^in ©raB ber grei'^eit ifi'g, 3I;r nennt'S mit Xiamen. 530
(Stauffad^en
^txx SBatt^er %\xx% iC^ n^iU euc^ nid^t i?erl^alten,
01id^t eine mii^'ge 0leugier fii^rt mid^ l^er;
Wli^ t)xMm \^mxt ©orgen — 2)rangfal i)ab' id^
34 SBil^elm Sell.
3u Ǥau3 J^erlaffen, 2)rangfal flnb' ic^ l^ier.
^mn Qan^ unleibli^ ift'g, iraa njir erbulben, 535
Unb biefea ©ranged ift feln 3i^I §« f^^n*
5rei njar ber ©^txiei^er i?on Uralter^ ^er,
ffilr flnb'0 genjo^nt, ba^ man un0 gut Begcgnet^
©p lang nn ^Irte trieB auf blefen SBergem 540
~" ' SBaltl^er gurjl.
3a, eS ip o^ue 25ei[^ier, txiie fle'0 treikn!
Qtuc^ unfer ebler Ȥerr i?on ^tting^aufen,
2)er noc^ bie alten Seiten l^at gefe^n,
SDZeint f^I^er, e§ fn nic^t me^r 311 ertragen.
(Stauffa^er^
*2(uc^ bru6en unterm 5Batb ge^t 6c!^trere0 i?or, 545
Unb Hutig irlrb'S geBii^t — 2)er ^olfenf^ief eit,
2)e0 ^aifer^ 3Sogt, ber auf bem Oioperg l^auf'te,
©elujien trug er nac^ t>erBot'ner ffru^t;
2Bauntgarten0 5Bei6; ber t;au^^dlt ^u ^l^eden,
2BoIlt' er ju freezer UngeBu^r mtpraud^en, 550
Unb mit ber 5lxt ^at i^n ber SWann erfc^Iagen*
ffialt^^er gurjl.
O, bie Oeric^te ©otteg ftnb gerec^t!
— SSaumgarten, fagt i^r ? ein Befc^eibner 2^ann !
^r iji gerettet boc^ unb n^o^l geBorgen?
©tauffac^er*
(Suer (libam :^at ii)n uBern @ee gefluc^tet; 555
S5ei mir ju ©teinen l^alt' tc^ ii)n ijer^orgen —
— ^loc^ ©rduHd^era ^at mir berfelBe 2)Zann
SBeric^tet, nja^ §u ©amen ifl gefc^e^m
2>a3 »Oerj :nu§ jebcm SBiebermanne Hutem
I. Slufsug, 4- Scene. 35
SBaltl^er ffurji (aufmcrffam).
<Sagt an, trag ift'^?
3m a^eld^tl^al, ba, iro ntan 560
C^intritt M JtetnS, ti^o^nt ein gere^ter Wlann,
©ie nennen i^n ten ^einric^ t>on ber ^ alb en,
Unb feine ^tiium' gilt »?aa in ber ©emeinbe*
SBalt^er gurjl
SBer fennt i:^n nld^t! Sag i|i'0 mit i^m? SSotteubet!
©tauffad^er*
®er Sanben'Berger Biif te [einen <^o:§n 565
Urn fleinen Se^ler^ xciUm, lie^ bie Dd^fen,
5)ag Bej^e $aar, i^m au0 bem ^fluge f^annen;
©a f^Iug ber RnaV ben ^nec^t unb tt>urbe flu^tig^
S& alii) ex S'urji (in ^oc^jlcr ©pannung).
®er 3Sater aUx — fagt, n:ie jle^t'0 urn ben?
©tauffaci^er,
©en S3ater Id§t ber SanbenBerger forbern, 570
3ur ©teUe fd^affen fott er i^m ben ©o^n,
Unb ba ber alte SKann niit SBa^r^eit fd^wort,
©r l^aBe i)on bem Sliid^tling feine «^unbe,
©a lap ber ^ogt bie Solterfnec^te fommen —
SBaltl^er ^ux^
(fpringt auf unb loiU i^n auf bie aubeve ^dtt fui^ren).
D jlill, nic^tg me^r!
©tauffad^er (mit jleigenbem Xou).
„3j^ mir ber ©ol^n entgangen, 575
©0 ^a'B' i^ b i ^ !" lap il^n gu SSoben njerfen,
Sen frife'gen ©ta^l i|)m in bie ?(ugen ipl^ren —
D 2
$6 SBil^elm Sied.
SBatm^evj'ger *§immel !
3tt bie ^ugen, fagt i^r?
©tauffad^et (evjlaunt gu Saltier 5ur|l).
SBer ijl ber Sungling?
(fagt i:§tt mit fram^f(}after ^eftigfeit).
3n bie ^ugen? Olebet!
SBaltl^cr gurfr
D ber SSeiammerngn^urbige !
©tauffad^er.
SBer iffg? 580
(S)a SBatt^er gurfl i^m ein Sei^en giBt.)
^er ©0^ ift'0? 5l%re^ter &ottl
Unb id^
2)^uf fente fetn ! — 3n feine Betben 5lugen ?
SSalt^er gurll.
aSejtijinget eud^! (^rtragt eS, n^ie eln ^annl
Itm me liter ©c^ulb, urn tneine^ Stet>el0 ttnllen!
- — 23Unb alfo ! ffiirf Itd^ B I i n b unb 9 a n j geBlenbet ? 585
©tauffac^er.
3^ fagt'S, ©er Ciuetl beg ©el^'ng ift auSgeftoffen,
iDag £lc^t ber ©onne fdjaut er nlemalg tvieber.
Sffialtl^er Surjt
®(^ont feine^ ©^mer^engl
r-
I. Slufjug, 4. ©cene. '>,']
0liemat0! 0lletnalS irleberl
(@r brucft bie §anb »or bte Slitc^cn mtb fc^\i3eigt eintge SDIomcntc;
bann icenbet er ffc^ ttoit bent (linen gu bem 5lnbern unb fpvi^t
mit fanfter, »on Xi^rdncn erflicftcr ©timme.)
D eine eble Ȥitnmelggaie tfl
2)ag S^\6^i beg 5luge0 — 5iae SBefen leBen 590
S3om Sid^te, jebeS gluctUc^e ®ef^5:)3f —
^ie ^flan^e felBjt fe^rt freublg fld^ ^um :i^lc^te.
""Knb er mup flgen, fu^Ienb, in ber 01ac^t,
3m ettjig ginflern — i^n erquicft nic^t me^r
2)er SJ^atteit njarmeg ©run, ber SBIumen ©c^metj, 595
2)ie rotten Sirnen fanit er nic^t me^r fc^auen —
(Stert^en tfl nic^tg — boc^ leBen unb ni^t fe^en,
Sag ip ein Ungluc! — SBarum fe^t il^r mid^
©0 iammernb ^xi'\ 3^ ^aB' gnjel frifdje Qlugen
Unb !ann bem Blinben SSater feineg ge6en, 600
01id^t einen ©c^immer i:on bem 50^eer beg !^ic^tg,
©ag glanjijott, ^lenbenb, mlr ing 5luge bringU
©tauffad^er*
%^, \6) mu^ enren 3ammer noc^ i^ergro^ern,
©tatt i^n ^u ^eilen — ^r iebarf noc^ nie^r 1
5)enn aUeg l^at ber Sanbi^ogt i^m gerauBt; 605
0ll^tg ^at er i^m gelaffen alg ben ©ta^,
Um nacft unb fclinb Jjon ^t)ur gu ^^ur gu njanbern*
S?Jet(^t:^aL
Sflic^tg alg ben ©taB bem augenlofen ©reig!
^Ueg gerauBt unb and) bag !^ic^t ber ©onne,
5)eg Qlermjien atlgemeineg %vX — 3e|t rebe 610
SWir feiner me^r J^on SBIeiBen, t?on SSerlJergenl
-6^
38 SBil^elm 3;ea.
^aS fur eitt fetgcr ^lenber ^In i^,
S)a^ i^ auf meine ^l^er^eit gebac^t,
Unb nt^t auf beine I — beitt gelleBtcS ^au^t
5113 5>fanb gelaffen in beg SBut^ric^g tgdnbeni 615
Seicj^erj'ge S3orfl(l;t, fa^rc ^in — Qluf nic^t^
5110 Hutigc 3Sergeltung will i(^ benfen.
^inuBer mU i^ — ,^einet foil mic^ fatten —
2)e0 2Sater0 5[uge i?ott bent )S^anbi?ogt forbern —
5lu§ alien feinen Olelftgen l^erauS 620
SBIU ic^ it;n flnben — Sfltd^tg liegt mir am !^e^en,
SCBenn i^ ben ^elfen, unge^euren ^^merj
3n feinem £e^eng:OIute fuT^Ie.
(($'r twin ge'^en.)
ffiBaltl^er ffurfl.
SBIeiBt I
2Ba§ fonnt i'^r gegen i1)n^ ©r ft^t ju ©avnen
%nf felner ^o^en ȤerrenBurg, unb f:pottet 635
Dl^nmdd^t'gen 3orn0 in feiner fl^ern Sefle^
S^elc^tl^aL
Unb rt:of)nV er broken auf bent ^iS^atajt
2)eg (S^red^orng ober ^o^er, tx)0 bte Sungfr an
<8eit (^n^igfeit Jjerf^Ieiert ft|t — id^ ma^e
Wix 95a^n ju i^nt; mtt gn^an^ig Sunglingen, 630
©eftnnt njie i^, jerke^' ic?^ feine 5ejle»
Unb vomn mix nientanb folgt, unb n?enn i^x aUc,
Sitr eure •gutten ^ang unb eute ^gerben,
^uc^ bent 2!ijrannen}oc^e Beugt — - bie ^gitteu
SBltl ic^ ^ufantmenrufen tnt ©eBttg, 635
Sort unternt freien Ǥimntelgba(^e; n:o
2)er <Sinn noc^ frifci^ ifl unb bag «§er§ gefunb,
J)ag unge^euer ©rdfUd^e erjd^Ien.
I. Slufjug, 4. ©cenc. 39
©tauffac^er (su SSalttjer gurjl).
^§ if! auf fcinem ®i:j3fel — 2BoIIen tijir
©rtrarten^ Big bag 5lcu^erfi:e —
5©cl(5 5teit^erfle§ 640
3ft tto(^ ^it fur(f)ten, ttjcnn bcr ©tern beg -Stugeg
3n feiner »g5^Ie nic^t me^r ftd^er ifl?
— ©ittb irtr benn tre'^rlog ? SBoju ternten trir
©ie ^tttn^ruft f^annen unb bie fc^trere 2Bu(^t
®er ©treitart fc^tringen? Sebem SGefen irarb 645
^in ^oi'i)Qmtijx in ber S3eqtreijTunc;gangf!,
^g ftetlt ft^ ber erfd^o^fte ^irfc^ imb jeicjt
®er SO'^eute [ein gefiir^teteg ©etrei^;
2)ie ©ernfe tei^t ben Sdger in ben ^Bgrunb —
©er ^flugfiicr felSft, ber fanfte ^ganggeno^ 650
©eg SJtenfc^en, ber bie ungefceure t^raft
Deg Ȥalfeg bulbfam unterg 3od^ ge^ogen,
©^rtngt auf, gerei^t, ire^t fein gciraltig «gorn,
Unb f^Ieubert feinen Seinb ben SBoIfen ju,
aBaItI)er gurfi.
ff3enn bie brei J^anbe bdd;tcn, trie irir bret, 655
©0 moc^ten tcir i^ietleic^t eta^ag termogen*
©tanffad^er.
SGenn Uri ruft, trenn llntern:alben l^ilft,
3)er ©c^tcfijjer trirb bie alten SBiinbe e^ren.
2JZeId)t^at.
®rof ift in llntern:alben meine Sreunbfc^aft,
Unb jeber trsagt mit greuben ^tib unb SBIut, 660
SBenn er am anbern einen Oliicfen ^at
Unb ©c^irm — D fromme SSdter biefeg fianbeg !
40 SBil^elm fJell.
3^ fle^e, nur eiit Suttgling, ^tt)ifc^en eu^,
2)en SSielerfa^rnert — meinc 6timme mu^
SBef^eiben f^n)eigett in ber J^anb^gemeinbe* 665
^i^t, irell i^ iung Bin unb nicl)t tilel erteBte,
3Sera^tet titelnen Olat^ unb meine S^ebe;
0lic^t luflern iugenbti^eS SBIut, mic?^ treiSt
^e§ ^o^flen SammerS fc^merjli^e ©etralt,
SCBag au(^ ben ®teln be^ ffelfen ntu^ er6armen. 670
Si^r felBjl feib 3Sdter, «gdu:pter eineS ^gaufeg,
Unb n^unfd^t euc^ einen tugenb^aften 6ol;n,
®er 'eure0 *§au!|3te0 l^eirge !^ocfen e^re,
Hnb eu(^ ben (Stern beS Qtugeg fromm Beti?ad;e»
O, njeil ii)x felbfl an curem M^ nnb @ut 675
SRoc^ ni^tg eriltten, cure Qtugen ftc^
91oc^ frif^ unb ^ett in it;rcn ^ftreifen regen,
^0 fei euc^ batum unfre 0lot^ nid;t fremb*
5(u^ ti6er eu^ l^dngt ba0 ^i^rannenfcfjn^ert,
3^r ^aBt ba^ )&anb i?on Deftretd; a%n:enbet; 680
Mn anberea voax nteinea SSatera Unred;t,
3^r feib in glei^er 3[)titfd;ulb unb SSerbammnif* ^
(S t a u f f a c^ e r (in Saltier guvfl).
SSefc^lie^et i^r! 3c^ Bin Bereit ^u folgen.
3Bir n^otlen :^5ren, voa^ bie ebein ^^errn
93on ©iHinen, t>on Qltting^aufen ratten — 685
3^r 0lame, benf' i^, n?trb una Sreunbe mxUn.
SBo tfl ein 0lame in bent SatbgeBirg'
^i^rtriirbiger, aU enter unb ber eure?
^n folder 01amen ed}te ^Bd^rung glauBt
©a0 SSol!, f!e ^aBen guten ^lang im !S^anbe. 690
I. Slufjug, 4. Scene. 41
3^r f)abi cln teld^eg ^rB' i?on SSdtertugenb
Unb taBt ca felOer reic^ i?erme^rt — SSag Brait^t*0
©e0 ^belmannS? J^a^t'3 un^ atlelit i?o(Ienbem
HBdren njtr boc^ aMn im ;^anb! 3c^ meine,
SCBir tvotlten un§ fd^on felBft ^u fc^irmen tviffem 695
©tauffa^er^
©ie 0beln brancjt nic^t gleicC;e 01ot^ mit un3;
^er 6trom, ber in ben 0lieberungen wniUt,
SBia ie|t l^at cr bie «§5^n noc^ nt^t erreic^t — •
©0^ i(;re «§u(fc tcirb unS nicl;t entfie^n,
aSenn fie bag Sanb in SBaffen erj^ etSlicfem ' 7^0
aSatt^er gur^
aBdre ein DBmann jn?ifd)en ung unb Oeflrei^,
®o mod)te 0le^t entfc^eiben unb ®efe^.
~5)oc^, ber una unterbrucft, ifl unfer ,fai[er
Unb l^oc^fier 3li^ter — [0 mu^ ©ott una l^etfen
Dur* unfern 5trm. ©rforfc^et i:&r bie SO^dnner 705
3Son <S^n;i)j, Ic^ mU in Uri greunbe njerljen^
3Sen aBer fenben n?ir nac^ Untemalben ? —
2)^et^tl^aL
3Wld^ fenbet l^in — SGem Idg' eS nd^er an —
aBalt:§er gurfl.
3^ geB'a ni^t gu; x1)x feib ntein ®afl, ic^ mu^
&ur eure ©ic^etl^eit gen^d^ren.
£)ie ®^n^e !enn' id^ unb bie Selfenfteige ;
•^uc^ greunbe flnb' i^ gnug, bie mic^ bem geinb
SSer^e^ten unb ein DBbad^ gem gen:d^rem
©tauffacC;er.
^a^i i^n mit ©ott ^inuBer ge^n, Dort bru^en
42 SBil^elm Sell
3jt tdn 23errdtt;er — So i?eral)fd?eut ifi 715
©le 3!t)rannet, ba^ ftc fein ^erfjeug finbct.
5Iud^ ber ^Ijetler fotl un6 nib bem SSalb
©enojfen irerBen unb ba0 £anb erregen.
SBic Bringen voir itn§ ftd^re ^unbe ^u,
©a^ tx)ir ben 5lrgtro^n bet ^ijrattnen taufc^cn? 720
©tauffad^er,
SBtr fonnten un§ gu SSrunnen ober Xxti^
QSerfammeIn, n?o bie ^aufmanSfc^iffe lanben,
ffialtl^er giirj!.
<^o offen biirfen trir bag 2Ber! nic^t trei^en.
— *§5rt nteine 3[)himitig. ^'mU am ©ee, ti^enn titan
0la^ 95runnen fdl^rt, bem 2)^i)i:^enftetn grab' itber, 725
giegt eine ^attt I;cintlic^ im ®el^o%
3)ag Olutii ijd^t fie Bet bem 33olf ber ^irten,
SBeit bort bie SCBalbung an^gereutet njarb.
S)ort tp'g, n:o unfrc )&anbntar! unb bie eure
(3u ^Kel^t^al.)
Sufammen gren^en, unb in fur^er &at}rt 730
(3u (Staujtad^et.)
5!rdgt eud^ ber leic^te Maf)n i?on (^c^tni^g l^eriiBer.
Qluf oben S^faben fonnen voix bat;in
SSei 01ad^t^eit tranbern unb ung j^itl Beraf^en^
©a^in mag jeber ^e^n ijertraute SD^dnner
a^itBringen, bie l^erjeinig ftnb mit ung, 735
©0 fonnen n^ir gemeinfam ba§ ©emeine
SBef^jre^en unb mit ©ott eg frifc^ Befc^Iiefem
©tauffa^er.
©0 fei'0, 3e^t reid^t mir eure Biebre ^t^U^
I. Slufju^, 4. Scene. 43
giet^t i^t bte eure 1)tx, unb fo^ trie voix
Srei ^anntx je^o, untcr ung bie Ǥdnbc 740
Sufammen flec^ten, rebtid), otjne galfd^,
©0 troUett ttjir brei li^dnbcr anCi), gu ©d^u^
Unb Xxui^, gufammen fie^n auf ^ob unb !^eBen.
fBaltf)tx iJurit unb spjeld^t^aL
5tuf 5$:ob unb ^m !
(<Sie l^atten bie J^dnbe nod^ etntgc ^paufen tang gufammengejTci^tcn
unb f(^n?eigen.)
SSIinber, alter SSater,
Su !annft ben XaQ ber Stet^elt ntd^t nte'^r fc^auen, 745
Su fotlfl i:^n 1^ 5 r e n — ^mn i)on ^11)3 gu ^I^
©ie Seuer^ei^en ftamntenb fic^ eri)eBen,
©ie fefien ©^loffet ber ^ijrannen fallen,
3n beine ^utte foU ber (S^treiger njaUen,
3u belnem D^x bie greuben!unbe tragen, 750
Unb l^eU in beiner SRac^t fell e0 bir tagcn!
{<Bit Qc^cn au^einanbcr.)
ARGUMENT.
ACT II.
The second Jet opens with an idyllic scene in the mansion
of the Baron von Attinghausen, who takes his morning cup
in company with his servants. This patriarchal custom is
distasteful to his nephew, Ulrich von Rudenz, who enters,
belted and plumed, that he may bid farewell to his uncle.
The haughty knight is about to join Gessler, the Imperial
Governor at Altorf. In vain the Baron urges him to remain
faithful to the cause of his country. Rudenz is dazzled by
the splendours of the Court, and will rather be the vassal
of a king than the equal of shepherds. So he departs,
leaving the aged Baron to grieve over his desertion of the
sacred cause of liberty.
The events of the second scene take place at night-time on
the Riitli, a secluded upland meadow, overhanging the Lake
of the Four Cantons, and surrounded by rocks and wooded
ground, in the Canton of Uri. The men of Unterwalden, led
by Melchthal, enter with torches. They are soon joined by
Stauffacher, who appears at the head of the men of Schwyz.
While the two parties exchange greetings, Melchthal comes
forward with Stauffacher, telling him of his perilous journey
to Unterwalden, and of the great sympathy shown by his
countrymen with his misfortunes. He had visited the re-
motest parts of his Canton, everywhere stirring up the
peasants to avenge the wrongs of the land. He had even
ventured to explore, in disguise, the castle of Sarnen. The
sound of the horn of Uri now announces the arrival of
Walther Furst and his friends. On the summons of Rossel-
mann, the Pastor, the men constitute themselves a Diet,
ARGUMENT, 45
as the representatives of their three Cantons, and Herr Reding
is elected Landamman, or chief of the Diet. On hearing
Stauffacher's account of the common origin of the inhabitants
of Switzerland, and the close union which formerly existed
between their forefathers, they exclaim that they are one
people and will act as one.
The assembled, after hearing from Konrad Hunn that
nothing can be expected from the goodwill of the Emperor,
declare that, no other course being left open to them, they
must resort to force, drive away the despotic Imperial
Governors, and raze their strongholds to the ground. They
resolve upon a general rising, which is to take place on Christ-
mas day, when the offerings which the serfs bring according
to custom to the Governor, will furnish them with the means
of introducing a number of men, with arms secreted on them,
into the castle. Melchthal will undertake to capture the
castle of Rossberg, by stratagem. By this time day begins
to break. The countrymen involuntarily take off their hats;
then, led by the Pastor, they repeat a solemn vow to trust in
God, and fear no man : they listen to a brief address from
Stauffacher ; and finally disperse in profound calm.
3tt)eiter Slufjug.
Srfte ©cene.
(Sbell^of be^ Stei^errn »on SUting^aufen.
(Sin gof^if^er ^aal, mit 2Ba^^^cnfd^i(bern unb §elmcn tteqiert. JT) e r
grcif)err, cin ®rei^ »on fiiuf unb ac^tjig 5al)ren, »on ()o^er ebfer
/w^ ©tatut, an cinem <Btaht, h)oraitf cin ®emfent)orn^uttb in ein ^d^f
toamm^ gefteibet. ,^mjni unb nod) fe^^ ^nec^te ftc()en um
x^n ^a mit O^ec^en unb ©enfen. lUri^ von €iubenj tritt
ein in Olitterfteibung.
9^ u b e n J,
«&ier tin ic^, D^dm — SBa3 ip euer SBitte?
5(tttng^aufen.
^rlauBt, baf i^ naCi) attem ^auSgekauc^
©en Sru^trun! erfl mit meinen Jlnec^ten t^ettc^
((Er ttinft au^ einem 33e^er, ber bann in ber Olei^e I)ecum9c:&t.)
<Bonft voax i^ felkr mit in 5elb unb SBalb, 755
SD^it meinem Qtuge il^ren S'lei^ regierenb,
SBie fte mein SBanner fii^rte in ber 6d)Iac^t;
Se^t !ann id) nic^tg me^^r alg ben ^d^affner mac{;en,
Unb fommt bie \mx\m ^mm nic^t ju mir,
3c^ fann fie nicfet mei^r fuc^en auf ben 33ergem 760
Unb fo, in engerm petS unb engerm ^reig,
9Bett:eg' ic^ mid^ bem engepen unb le|ten,
2Bo alleg li^eBen ftitt fte^t, langfam ^u.
fSflm 6d^atten Bin id^ nut, Balb nur mein 0lame»
2. Slufjug, I. Scene. 47
Jtuoni Gu Olubenj mxi bem ^t^tx).
3^ Wring's cud^, Sunfer.
(5)a (Rubenj gaubert, ben Seeder gu ne^men.)
^rinfet frifc^ ! m ge^t 765
Slug einem SSe^er unb aug einem ^^ergen*
5ltting]^aufen.
®e^t, ^Inber, unb trenn'g Seieraknb ip,
©ann reben n;lr au^ J?on beg £anb§ ©efc^dften.
(^ned;tc ge^en ab)
Sltting^aufen unb Oiubeng.
5lttingl^aufen,
3c^ fe'^e bi^ gegurtet unb gerupet,
Su n^illjl nac^ Slltorf in bie ȤerrenBurg? 770
S^ u b e n g.
3a, Di)dm, urio l^ barf nic^t Idnger [aumen —
3lttlng:^au[en (fefet fi^).
»&afl bu'g fo eilig? SBie? Sjl beiner Sugenb
2)ie 3^^i fo ^arg gemeffcn, ba^ bu fte
5ln beineui alten D^eini mupt a\paxm^
JR u b e n §•
3^ fe'^e, baf i^r meiner ni^t Beburft, 775
3c^ Bin ein grembling nur in biefem *§aufe»
Sitting:^ a uf en
(ijat i^n tange mit ben Slugen gemujlert).
3a, leiber Bift bu'g. )^eiber ift bie Ȥeimatl^
3ur grembe bit genjorben ! — Ultj ! Uli^ !
3^ fenne bic^ ni^t mel;r. 3n <Seibe prangfl bu,
©ie ^fauenfeber trdc^jl bu fiolj jur <Bc^an, 780
Unb fc^ldgp ben $ur)3urmantel uni bie Sc^ultern;
48 SBil^elm 2:ea.
2)en JiJanbmattn Hicffl bu mit 93erac^tung an,
Unb [^dm|l bic^ feiner trauli^en SBegrupung*
2)ie ^^x\ blc i^m geBu^rt, qcB' i(^ i^m gem;
S)a§ Ole^t, bag er ft(^ nimmt, tieweigr' i^ i^m, 785
Qlttingl)aufem
S)a0 ganje )i^anb liegt itntcvm fc^treren 3orn
2)cg Jlonigg — 3ebe0 SBiebermanneg «§erj
3ft fummerijoll ob bcr ti)vannifcl;en ©erralt
5)le trir crbulben — bic^ aHein rul;rt nic^t
^er atlgemeinc <^d)nuxi — bic"^ ftet;et man, 790
^(Btrimnig J^on ben ^einen, auf ber ©eite
©eS ^anbc^feinbeg fte^en, uufrer 01ot^
ǤoI;nf:pre^enb, nac^ ber leic^ten greube {agen
Unb Bu^len urn bie &urftengunft, inbeg
2)eln 33aterlanb i?on fcf)trerer ©ei^el Hutet. 795
01 u b e n §♦
2)ag l^anb ift fd;iijer :6ebrdngt — SBannn, inein C^eiui ?
Ser ift'g, ber eg geftiirjt in biefe S^otp
®g foftete eitt einjig leic^teg ^ort,
Urn augeuHicfg beg ©rangeg log ^u feitt,
Unb einen gndb'gen Jlaifer gu geti^innen. 800
SSe^ it;nen, bie bem 23ol! bie 5lugen l^alten^
^a^ eg bem ti^a^ren SBeften njiberftre'Bt
Um eignen 33ortl^eilg voiUm ^inbern fte,
^a§ bie SBalbftdtte ni^t ju Dejtreid^ [c^njoren,
SSie tinggum atle l^anbe boc^ get^an* 805
SCBo^I tl;ut eg it;nen auf ber ^gerren^an!
Qn ft^en ntit bem ©belmann — ben Jlaifer
SBitt man jum «&errn, iim f einen ^errn ju fyibm.
5Utingl^au[en.
Wtu^ ic^ bag l^oren nub aug beinem 2??unbe!
2. Slufjug, I. ©cenc. 49
JRubenj.
3^r ^aU mid^ aufgeforbett, la^t mtc^ enbett. 810
— Seiche q^crfott x\t% D^eim, bie i^r felbfl:
^ler ft3telt? *§aBt ii)x ni^t l^o^erit <Stols, atg ^ier
Sanbammann ober SBannerl^ert ju feln
Unb ne:6ctt blefen Ȥirten gu regiereu?
3Kie? Sfl'g ttld^t eine ru^mli^erc ^afjl, 815
3u ^ulbigen bem foniglic^en ^errtt,
^ic^ an fein gtdnjenb !&ager anjufc^Iie^en,
5l(g eurer eig'ncn »^iie^te $alr ju fein,
Unb gu ©eric^t §u fl^cn mit bem SBauer?
5(ttitt9^aufen.
51^ Uli) ! UI^ ! 3(^ erfenne fie, 820
2)ie <Stimme ber SSerfu^rungl @ie ergrif
2)eitt offnea D^r, f!e ^at beln *§er§ ijergiftet.
91 u b e n §•
3a, ic^ ijetBerg* eS nid^t — in tiefer <^eele
©d^merjt mic^ ber ®:pott ber gremblingc, blc un8
S)en SBauernabel fc^elten — 0lic5^t ertrag' i^'g, 825
3nbef bie eble 3ugenb rings um^er
<Bi^ @^re fammelt unter ȤaBgBurgg Sal^nen,
5luf meinem @rB' l^ier mii^ig flitt ju liegen,
Unb Bei gemeinem ^agen^erf ben ^m^
S)e0 l^eBenS ^u t?erUeren — ^InberSnjo 830
©efc^e^en ^aten, eine SBelt bea Olul^mS
SSen^egt flc^ gldn^enb {enfeitg biefer SSerge —
20^ ir rojien in ber Ȥa(le Ǥelm unb 8c^ilb;
2)er ^rieggtrommete mut^igeS @et5n,
S)er ȤerolbSruf, ber jum ^urniere labet^ 835
®r bringt in biefe 3:^dler ni^t l^erein;
Silid^tS als ben ^^ul^reil^n unb ber ^gerbeglotfen
^infprmigeg ©eldut' Jjernel^m' ic^ l^ier.
s
50 SBil^etm Ztll
5ltttng^aufem
SSerHenbeter, s?om eitetu ©lanj t>erfu^rt!
3Serac^te bein ©eBurt^Ianb! ^d;dme bi^ 840
©er uralt frommen <^itte belner ^aUxl
Tilt l^elf en ^l^rdnen ttjirfl bu bid^ bereinfl
t&ellttfe^nett nac^ ben tidterlic^en SBergen,
Unb biefeg Ȥerbenrei^eng 2)^eIoble,
2)ie bu in fioljem UeBerbru^ i;)erfd^md^fl, 845
SJ^it ^^merjengfe^nfuc^t ti^ivb fte bic^ ergreifen,
SCBenn fie bir anflingt auf ber fremben @rbe«
D, mdc^tig ifi ber 5j:rie^ beg 93aterlanbg!
©ie frembe^ fatfc[;e 2BeIt ift nic^t fur bid^;
2)ort an bem fiol^en ,^aifer^of BleiBfl bu 850
^ir etrig fremb mit beinem treuen ^erjen!
2)ie 2BeIt, fte forbert anbre ^ugenben,
%U bu in biefen ^dlcrn bir ertt?or13en*
— ®e^ l^itt, i?er!aufe beine freie ^eele,
0liinm l&anb ju )&e^en, njerb' ein Sixrftenfne^t, 855
©a bu ein ^elBft^err fein fannjl unb ein Srirji
^uf beinem eignen ^xW unb freien SBobem
51^ UI^! ur^I BleiBe M ben 2)einen!
•®e^ ni^t nac5^ 5tttorf — D, tierla^ fte ni^t,
5)ie l^eiFge ^a^e beiiieg SSaterlanb^! 86c
— 3c^ ^in ber ii^e|te/nteineg <Stamm^. SO^ein 0lame
^nbet mit mir« 2)a l^dngen ^etm unb ^^iVo,
S)ie tcerben f!e mir in bag ®raB mitge^en*
Unb mu^ ic^ benfen Bei bem Ie|ten ^au(^,
©a^ bu mein Brec^enb 5luge nur ern^artej^, 865
llm l^injuge^'n t>or biefen neuen ^t1)m^of,
llnb meine ebetn ©titer, bie ic^ frei
S3on ©ott em^jflng, J?on Defireic^ gu em^jfangenl
2. Slufjug, I. Scene. 51
91 u b e n J.
33erge6en0 iriberfirctien voir bem Muxq,
2)ie SBelt ge^ort il^m; n^oHen n)ir aUeiit 870
Un0 eigenftnnig peifen unb i?erflocfen,
5 2)ie !&dnber!ette i^m gu unterSreci^en,
5^ 5)ie er geiraltig tinga um ung ge^ogen?
6ein flnb bie 2^dr!tc, bie ©eric^te, fein
^ie ,^aufmanngflrafen, unb bag (Saumrog felt>j!, 875
^aS auf bem ®ottt;arb gie'^et, mug xf)m gotten.
2Son feinen l^dnbern njie mit einem 0^e^
(Sinb njlt umgarnet ringg unb eingefc^Ioffen.
— 2Birb ung bag Sid^ :6efc^u|en? ^ann eg felBfl
6icS^ [c^u^en gegen Dejlreic^g irac^fenbe ©en^alt? 880
^ilft ®ott ung nid^t^ fein .^aifer fann ung l^elfen.
$Bag ift gu geBen auf ber ^aifer 2Bort,
^^enn fie in ®elb=« unb »^riegegnot]^ bie ^tdbte,
^ie unterm ©c^irm beg ^Iblerg' flc^ gefliic^tet,
^er:^fdnben biirfen unb bem 0lei^ t>erdu^ern? 885
— 51ein, D^eim ! aBo^lt^at iji'g unb ireife ^ox\i^t
3n biefen fc^tceren 3eiten ber ^Parteiung,
@id^ anjufc^Iiefen an ein mdc^tig ^aupt
2)ie t^aiferfrone gel^t ijon 6tamm ju ©tamm,
5) i c ^at fiir treue 5)ienfie fein ©ebdc^tnif ; 890
^0^, um ben mdd^t'gen Q:x^^nn n^o^l xierbienen,
*§eigt ©aaten in bie Sufunft preu'n.
Slttingl^aufem
^ SBifl bu fo n:eife?
mU^ ^etler fe^^n alg beine ebeln SSdter,
2)ie um ber Srei^eit foftBar'n (Sbelj^ein
2J^it ®ut unb SBIut unb »§elbenfraft gef!ritten? 895
— (Sd)iff' nac^ !^ u j e r n l^inunter, frage b r t,
3Bie Deflreic^g Ȥcrrf(C;aft lafiet auf ben Sdnbern!
£ 2
5^ SBil^etmSed.
®ie irerbett fomtnctt, unfre @c^af* unb Sflinber
3u ^d^Ien, unfre Qtt^ijen aB^umeffen,
2)en ^od^ftug unb bag ^od;gen?ilbe Bannen 900
3n unfern freien Sdlbern, %en ^d^lacjBaum
5ln unfre SSriitfen, unfre ^T^ore fe|en,
Win unfrer ^trmutl^ i^^re )i^dnber!dufe,
SD^it unferm SBIute il^re ^ricge ^a^Ien —
— 01ein, n^enn n^ir unfer 95Iut bran fe|en fotlen, 905
©0 fei'g fur una — tto^^Ifeiter faufen voix
3)ie grei^eit aU 'Dk ^nec^^tfc^aft ein!
^ Sft u b e n §♦
SBa0 fonnen mx,
(Sin 33ol! ber »§irten, gegen QlIBrec^tS *§eerel
5ltting^aufem
J^ern' biefea SSoIf ber Ǥlrten fennen, ,^naBeI
3c^ fenn'g, i^ ^aV eg angffu^rt in 6c^la(^ten, 910
3c^ ^aB' eg fec^ten fel^en M ^a'om^.
(&ie fotlen !ommen, ung ein 3oc^ aufjtringen,
2)ag voix entfc^bffen ftnb nic^t ju ertragen!
— O lerne fiii^len, trelc^eg (Stammg bu Bift !
SBirf nic^t fiir eiteln ®Ian§ unb Slitterfc^ein 915
®ie e^te 5^erte beineg 3Sert^eg ^n —
2)ag Ǥau^t ju ^ei^en eineg freien 33oI!g,
2)ag bir aug £ieBe nur.ftc^ ^erjlic^ n^ei^t,
^ag treuli^ §u bir fte^t in ^anipf unb ^ob —
2) a g fei bein ^tolj, beg %elg riil;me bic^ — 920
2)ie angeBor'nen SBanbe !nii:|3fe fefl,
Qlng 3SaterIanb, ang t^^eure, fc^lie^' bid^ an,
5)ag ^alte feft mit beinem gan^en ^er^cn.
'gier flnb \)it ftarfen Sffiurjein beiner ^raft;
©ort in ber fremben SBelt fte^jl bu atlein, 925
2. Slufjug, I. Scene. 53
©in fc^tranle^ 3flo^r, ba§ {eber 6turm jer!nicft.
D fomm, bu l^afl un§ lang nid)t ntel^r gefe^n,
23erfu(^'g mlt una nur einen 5!ag — nur l^eutc
@e^' nic^t na^ ^^Itorf — l^orfl bu? ^eute ni^t!
2)en einen ^ag nur fc^enfe bic!^ ben 2)einenl 930
((Sr fa^t feine §anb.)
01 u b e n J.
3^ gaB mein SBort — !^a§t mi^ — 3c^ Bin ge^unben.
5(ttingl^aufen
(tdft feine §anb to3, mit @rnfl).
©u Biji geBunben — 3a, Ungtucftic^er !
2)u :6ift'g, boc^ ni^t bur^ SBort unb <S^it)ur,
©eBunben Bifi bu burcS^ ber !^ieBe ©eite!
(OJubcnj n?enbet jl^ wec^.)
— SSerBirg blc^, trie bu n:iG|l ©aS Srdutein iji'g, 935
SBert^a i?on SSrunecf, bie gut ^errenBurg
2)i^ jie^t, bi^ fejfelt an be^ ^ai[er6 ^ienft.
2)ag Qflitterfrdulcin njitlft bu bir ewerBen
W\i beinem QlBfall t)on bcm Sanb — SBetrug' bi^ ni^t !
5)ic^ an^ulocfen, jeigt man bir bie SSraut; 940
2)oc^ beiner Unfc^ulb ift fte nic^t Bef(^ieben.
01 u b e n J.
©enug ^aB' ic^ ge^ort ®e:^aBt t\x^ trol^L
(^r 9eT)t aB.)
Qltttng^aufen.
SBatnjtnn'gcr Siingling, Bleib'I ©r gel^t bal^in!
3c^ !ann \\)\i nic^t erl^alten, nic^t erretten —
©0 ijl ber ffiolfcnfc^ie^en abgefaden 945
SSon feiuem Sanb — [0 irerben anbre folgcn;
2)er frembe 3«uBer reif t bie Sugenb fort,
@en?altfam jlreBenb iiber unfre SBerge.
54 SBil^ctm Siell.
— D ungtucfferge <Stunbe, ba baa ffrembe
3tt blefe jlitt fceglucften ^dler fant, 950
2)er 6itten fromme Unfd^ulb ju ^erjiijreul
®a§ ^leue bringt l^ereitt mlt SOtad^t, ba^ 5llte,
5)ag ©urb'ge fc^etbet, anbre QdUn fommen,
©g Ie"6t cin anbergbenfenbeg ©ef^led)tl
2Ba§ t^u' i(^ ^n'^. 6le fmb begraben atte, 955
2)?it benen ic^ getraltet unb gele^t.
Untcr ber ©rbe f^on licgt meine Qdt;
323oI;I bem, ber wit ber n e u e n ntc^t me^r Ixau^t ju lekn 1
(®e^t ab.)
3^eite Scene. ,
^ine SOBtefe t)ott iftc^cn gclfcn unb SKatb umgcBen.
Sluf ben JJelfen jtnb ©tetge ntit ©eldnbcrn, au^ Seitern, »cn benen
man nad:.f)er bie Sanbleute ^erabfleigcn fiel)t. Snt §intergrunbe gcigt
iic^ ber <See, uBer iuelc^em anfang^ ein SD^onbregenbcgen gu fetjen itl
2)en ^rof^ect f^Iie^cn :^oI)e ^ercje, l^inter njeld^cn no^ %^^erc (^i^gc^
birgc ra^cn. (Ss ijt »cllig IJlac^t auf ber @cene, nur ber (See unb bie
n^ei^en ©letfc^er leuc^ten im WloxxUi^t
tWct^t^al, S3auntgarten, SfBinfetrieb, 3)?etct tton
©amen, ^urf^arbt am S3u^el, Slrnolb »on ©eiua,
^lau0 Don ber glue unb ncc^ mer anbere Sanbleute,
aKe Ben?affnet.
^tl^ii)al (no(^ l^inter ber <Scenc).
2)er SSergn^eg offnet ftd^, nur frlf^ mir nac^I
^en Sela erfenn' i(^ unb ba§ ^reujlein brauf; 960
mx flnb am 3tel, ^ier ift bag Olutlu
(Xreten auf mit Sinblid^tem.)
2. STufjug, 2. ©cenc. 55
SBinfelrieb.
©attj leer*
SUJeiet*
'g l|l nod^ feitt )(^anbmattn ba. 5Btr flnb
2)ie (Bx^m auf bem $Ia^,«njir Untetnjalbner.
5Bie njcit iji'a in ber Sla^f^
Saumgarten.
2)er SeuemSd^ter
93om ©eliSBerg l^at eSen 3^^t gerufen* 965
(Wlan f)ott in ber gerne (dutcn.)
©tin I ^or^I
2tm SSul^eL
S)a8 2J?ettengI5tflein in ber 5SaIb!a)3elIe
Jtllngt l^etl l^eruBer aug bem <^c^ti?i9^erlanb»
®ott ber gllie*
2)ie )^uft ifl rein nnb trdgt ben ®d^atl fo n?eit,
SUJeld^tl^aL
©el^'n einige unb jtinben Oteigl^olj an,
2)a5 e0 Io]& Brenne, wenn bie Scanner fommen. 970
(Bttjci Sanbtcute ge^en.)
'S ijl eine fc^one 2)?onbennad^t. 5)er ©ee
i^iegt rul^ig ba, aU wie ein eBner ©:^iegeL
56 aSil^elm 3;en.
©ie l^a^en eine letc^te Sal^rt
SBinfelrieb Getgt na^ bcm ©ee).
ee^t bort^inl ©el;t i^r ntd^ts?
SSaa beutt ? — 3a, voa^xli^ !
©in SflegenBogen mitten in ber 0lad^tl 97S
SD^el^t^al.
©0 ifl bag li^i^t be0 WlonM, bag il^n :6ltbet.
SSon bcr Slue*
2)ag ip etn feltfam trunberBareg S^tc^^nl
if- a^ leBen SSiele, bie bag nic^t gefe^m
i^en^a. , .
^r ifl bo)3^3eIt; fe:^t, ein Hdfferer fie^t brii'6er.
SSaumgarten^
®in 0lad^en fdl^tt fo eBen brunter tt)eg. 980
2)ag ifl ber ©taufac^er mit feinem Staf)n,
5)er 93iebermann Idft flc!^ ni^t lang ern^arten^
(®e^t mit SBautngarten na(^ bem Ufer.)
mtitx.
I)ie Urner flnb eg, bie am Idngflen fdumen,
5lm SSul^el.
©ie miiffen weit umgel^en burc^'g ©eBirg,
^af fie beg Sanbi?ogtg ^unbfd^aft ^interge^em 985
(Xtnterbejfen ^aben bie jn?ei SanbUutc in ber ED^itte be^ $la^e^ ein
geuev angegiinbet.)
2. 2luf5ug, 2. Scene. 57
^FUI^t^al (am Ufer).
®er ijl ha? ©eOt bag SBortl
©tauffac^er (von unten).
ffreunbe beg ^anbeg,
SlKe ge^en nac^ ber J^iefe, ben itontntenben entgegen. 5lug bent ila^n
iieigen ©tauffaci^er, 5tel0iebing, ^an^anfberSWaner,
Sorg im ^^ofe, ^onrab §unn, Ulrt^ ber <Bd^mih,
3o|i »on aSeiUr unb nod^ brei anbere Sanbleute, glei^faU^
bewajfnet.
5111 e (rufen).
5Kitt!ommen !
(Snbem bie Uei>r{^en in ber ^iefe toertretten nnb ftd^ begrufen,
lommt SWel^t^al mit ©tanffac^er »ortt)drt^.)
O ^ert ©taufa^erl 3^ ^aB' i^n
©efe^tt, ber mid^ uic^t n^ieber fe^en fonnte!
5)ie Ǥanb ^aW i^ gelegt auf feine 5lugen,
Unb glul^enb Ola^geful^t ^aB' i^ gefogen 990
Qlug ber erlofd^ncn ©onne feineg SBlidfg.
(Btauffa^tx.
©:pred^t nid^t t»on Otad^e. 0li(^t ©efc^e^neg rd^en,
©ebro^tem UeBel n^otten mx Begegnen*
— Se^t fagt, trag i^^r im Untern:albner ;&anb
©efc^aft unb fixr gemeine ©ac^' genjorBen, 995
2Bie bie l^anbleute benfen, irie i^r felBfl
2)en ©triden beg 23errat:^g entgangen feib.
2)ur^ ber ©urennen fur^tBareg ©eBirg,
5luf tt)eit i?erBreitet oben (Si[egfelbern,
58o mir ber ^eif're )i^dmmergeier frdc^jt, 1000
©elangt' ic^ §u ber 5ll:pentrift, njo fl^
58 SBil^elm Sell.
Qtug Url utti) tiottt ^ngelt^erg bic ^irtcn
5(nrufettb gru^en unb gemeinfam n^eiben,
2)ett 2)urft tntr pmenb mit ber ©letfc^er 3^11^;,
2)ie in ben Olunfeit fc^aumenb nteberquiUt. 1005
3tt ben einfamen (Senn^utten fel^rt' id^ dn,
Wldn eigner ^Sirt:^ unb ©aft 13t3 baf ie^ fam
3u SBol^ttungen gefettig leBenber SO^enfd^em
— ^rf^oUen war in biefett Xi)ahxn fc^on
5)er S^uf beg neueit ®rduel6, ber gefc^el^n, loio
Unb fromme dijxfnx^t fc^afte niir mein Uttgliic!
SSor {eber $forte, tro tc^ w^anbernb fIo))fte»
(gntruflet fanb i^ biefe graben ^eelen
Dh bent getraltfant neuen S^egiment;
2)enn fo njie i:^re ^It^en fort nnh fort 1015
2)iefeIBen ,^rduter nd:^ren, i^re 93runnen
©lei^formtg ftiegen, SBotfen felBft unb 3[Binbe
®en glei(^en ©trid^ untt)anbeIBar Befotgen,
<Bo 'i)at bie alte ©itte ^ier ijom 5l^n
Sum (Snfel unt>erdnbert fort Beftanben. 1020
0li^t tragen fie ii)ertx)egne ^euerung
3m altgetro^nten gleid^en ©ang beg l^eBeng*
— 5)ie t;arten »§dnbe retd^ten fie mir bar,
SSott ben SCBdnben langten fie bie roft'gen <B(^X)onUx,
Unb aug ben Qlugen BIi|te freubigeg 1025
©efiil^I beg Tlni% alg ic^ bie Xiamen nannttf
S)ie im ©eBirg bem ^[^anbmann l^eilig flnb,
3)en eurigen unb SGBaltl^er Siirj^g — Sag euc^
Oiec^t n^iirbe bixnfen, fc^ti^uren fte §u t^un,
(Sud^ f^njuren fie Big in ben ^ob ju folgen. 1030
— <Bt> eilt' i(^ flc^er unternt l^eiFgen ©c^irm
©eg ©aflre^tg i?on ©el^ofte j^u ©e:^ofte —
Unb alg i^ !am ing l^eimatl^U^e ^^al,
2. STufjug, 2. Scene. 59
9Bo ntir bie SSettem ijiel J?erBreitet troBnen —
^I6 ic^ ben 33ater fanb, BerauBt unb Blinb, 1035
5tuf frembetn <Stxo^, t>on ber SBarml^erjigfeit
SPiilbt^dt'ger S^enf^en leBenb —
©tauffa^er^
'gerr im tgimmel!
®a rreittt' id^ nid^t! 01i(^t in o^nmdc^t^gen 3!!§rdnen
@o^ icf) bie ,^raft be§ l^eifen ©c^merjen^ au^,
3n tiefer SSrup, njie einen t^euren ©c&a^, 1040
SSerfc^Iof i^ i^n unb bac^te nut auf ^atem
3(^ !roc^ bur^ atte Jlrummen be§ ®eBirg§,
Jteltt 3:^al ttjar fo ^txft^dt, i^ f^d^t' eg aug;
SSia an ber (Sletfd^er eiSBebecften guf
^rtrartet' ic^ unb fanb Uvoo^nU 'gutten, 1045
Unb iiUxaU, vodi)\n ntein ffug ntid^ true],
Sanb i(^ ben gleid^en Ǥag ber ^i^rannei;
2)enn BIS an biefe lefete ©ren^e felBji
SSele'Bter ©^o^jfung, iro ber parre 5Soben
5lufl^ort ju geljen, rauljt ber SSogte ©eig — 1050
S)ie ^Ser^en ade biefe§ Biebern 3SoI!0
(Srregt^ i^ mit bent ©tac^el meiner 2Borte,
Unb unfer flnb fie aU mit ^gerj unb 2)^unb»
©tauffac^er.
®ro^e0 ^a'Bt i^r in !ur^er Sriji geleiftet.
SD^el^tl^al.
3(^ t^at noc^ me^^r* Sie Beiben geflen f!nb^§, 1055
01 f B e r g unb © a r n e n, bie ber ^anbmann fiirc^tet ;
^mn f)inUx i^ren S'elfennjdllen fc^irmt
2)er Seinb flc^ leic^t unb fc^dbiget bag !^anb.
6o SBilf)etm Xell.
SKit etgnen Qlugen troUt' ic^ c0 erfunben;
3c^ ti^ar ju ©amen unb befa^ bie SBurg. 1060
® tauffac^et*
3^r wagtet euc^ Big in beg ^igerg ^b^U^
3cS^ voax t)er!leibet bort in $ilgetgtra(^t,
3c5^ \ai) ben £anbt)ogt an ber ^afel fc^n^etgen —
Urtl^eilt, 06 i(^ niein Ǥeq Be^n?ingen !ann:
3ci^ fal^ ben Seinb unb i^ erfc^lug ti)n nid^t. 1065
©tauffa^er^
%hxxtiaf)x, bag ©tiicf voax enter ^ii^n^^eit l^olb.
(Unterbejfen finb bie anbern Sanbleute »orn?drt^ gefcmmcn unb nal^em
fi(^ ben beiben,)
3)o(^ je|o fagt mir, njer bie ffreunbe flnb
Unb bie gere^ten SO^^dnner, bie euc^ folgten?
^la^t mid^ Befannt mit iT^nen, baf n:ir ung
Sutrauli^ nal^en unb bie *§erjen pffnem 1070
a^eier.
SCBer fennte eu^ nid^t, ^err, in ben brei )[^anben?
3^ Bin ber S^teier i?on 6arnen, bieg l^ier ifl
Si^ein 6^njefter[o^n, ber 6trut^ s?on ^infelrieb*
©tauffad^er^
3^r nennt mir feinen unBefannten 0lamem
©in SBin!elrieb trar'g, ber ben S)rac^en f^Iug 1075
3m ©um^jf M SSeiler unb fein SeBen lie^
3n biefem ©trauf.
Sffiinfelrieb.
2)ag voax ntein %1)n, Ǥerr SBernen
2, Slufjug, 2. Scene. 6i
^tl^ii)al Qeigt auf gtoet Sanbtcute).
5) i e irol^nen l^interm SBalb, ftnb Jtlofterleutc
3Som (SngelBerg — S^^r trerbet fte brum nl^t
SSerac^ten, ireil fie eigne !^eute ftnb io8o
Unb nic^t, njie voir, frci ft^en auf bem ©rSe —
©ie liekn'g !i^anb, flub fonft auc^ tro^I Berufen,
@ t a u f f a (^ e r (p ben Beiben).
©eSt mir bie *§aub» (5^ )3reife fld^, n^et felnent
S^it feinem ^dU ^fli^tig ift auf ©rben;
2)oc^ 9leblid;!eit gebei^t in jebem 8tanbe» loS;
^onrab Ǥunm
2)a6 ifl «gerr Olebing, unfer ^Itlanbammann.
a^eier.
3(^ fenn' i^n tro'^L ^r ift mein SBiber^jart,
^er urn ein alteS (SrBfliic! ntit mir red^tet.
— ^err Olebing, irir flnb Seinbe ijor ©eric^t ;
•§ier flub njir einig.
(<Sc^utteIt ii)m bie ^anb.)
©tauffac^er*
2)aa ifl Brai) gef|3rod^en. 1090
SBinfelrieb^
»§ort i^r? ©ie fommen. »§ort bag »gorn ijon Uril
(9le(^t0 unb Un!^ iie^t man Betrajfnete fWdnner mit SKinbUd^tem bie
gelfen ^erabj^cic^en.)
5lufber Wilancx.
^tf)i\ ©teigt nid^t felBfi ber fromme £)iener ®otte0,
^er njiirb'ge ^^farrer mit l^eraB? 0ltc^t f^eut er*
3)e6 2Bege§ S^ii^en unb bag ©rau'n ber 0la^t^
©in treuer ^^irte fvir bag 3SoIf ju forgem 1095
6% SBil^elm 2:elL
SSaumgarten^
2)oc^ nic^t ben %zU txhlxd' ic^ in ber Wltno^t.
Satt:^cr gurjl, Oloffelmann, ber $farrcr, ^etermann,
ber @igri(l, ^uoni, ber S^'vci, 2Berni, ber Sdger, Oluobi, ber
gifd)er, unb noc^ fiinf anbere Sanbleute. §l((e ^ufammen, brei
unb brcifig qlxi ber 3ci^l, treten tton\)drtg unb jieUen ftd^ urn
ba6 geuer.
SBalt^er gurj!,
(^0 muffen njlr auf unferm eignen ^xV
Unb t)dterli(^en SBoben ung tierfto^ten
Sufammen fc^lei^en, tt?ie ble SD^orber i^xxn, noo
Unb 6ei ber 0lac^t, bie i^ren fc^ warden 3}?antel
Silnr bent QSerBrec^en unb ber fonnenfc^euen
3Serfc^n:orung lei^et, unfer guteg Oie^t
Un3 ^olen, bag boc^ lauter ift unb flat,
©leic^wie ber glan^i?oII ojfne (8d)oo5 beg ^ageg. 1105
2^eId?t^aL
H^i'^ gut fein, SKag bie bun!(e 01af()t gef^onnen,
(Soil frei unb fri?^Ii^ an bag )^ic^t ber @onnen.
O^offelntann.
^hxi, vod^ mir ®ott ing^erj giBt, ©ibgenoffen!
SCBir fte^en :^ier flatt einer J^anbggemeinbe
Unb fonnen gelten fur ein gan^eg SSoIf* mo
60 ta^t ung tagen nac^ ben alten SBrdu^en
®eg li^anbg, njie tvir'g in rul)igen 3^iten pflegen;
SKag ungefepc^ ifl in ber SSerfammlung,
(gntfc^ulbige bie S^ot^ ber Beit, 2)oc^ ®ott
3ft iiBeratl, tt)0 man bag Otec^t "QtxvooXin, 1115
Unb unter feinem Ȥimmel fte^en xioix*
2. Slufsug, 2. ©cene. 63
©tauffad^er*
^0% la^t un3 tagen na^ ber alien (^ttte;
3ft eS gleic^ 0lac^t, fo leuc^tet un[er Ole^t.
3jl gteic^ bie 2af)l nid)! tiott, ba^ «ger§ ifi :^ier
©eg Qanjen ^olU, bie SB eft en ftnb jugegen* 1120
^onrab t&unn.
<&lnb au^ bie alten SBud^er nlc^t jitr *§anb,
@ie flttb in unfre ^ger^ett elngefcS^tie^en*
9l5ffetmatttt»
ffio^Ian, fo fei ber 9fling foglelcf; geBilbet*
^an ))flan§e auf bie 6(^n;)erter ber ©enjaltl
9luf ber SD^auer*
2)er i^anbegatntnann ne^me feinen $Ia^, 1125
Unb feine SaiBel fte^eu il^m jur ®eite!
© i g r i ji,
Q:^ flnb ber 9SoI!er breie* SCBel^em nun
©eBii^rt'g, bag *§au^t ju geBen ber ©emeinbe?
2^ e i e r»
Urn biefe &)x* tnag ©c^trijj mit Uri jtreiten,
2Bir Unterttjalbner ftel^eu frei inxM, 1130
$Bir jle^'tt gurrt(f ; irir flnb bie &Ie|)enben,
©le ^tilfe ^eifc^en ijon ben mdc^t'gen Sreunben,
©tauffa(^er,
©0 ne{)me Uri benn bag ©(^trert; fein 33anner
3ie^t hi ben 0lomer^iigen ung i?i?ran»
64 Sffiil^elm SelL
^eS ©d^trerteg ©^re trerbe ©c^n;)^§ ju ^^ell, 1135
5)etttt feine^ <Stammeg tubmen voix un3 alle»
Oloffelmann*
^en cbein 5Bettjtreit lagt mic^ freunbli^ fc^Iic^ten:
©^^^S foil im ^at1)f Uri im ??elbe fu^ren.
SBalt^er iJurf^
(rci^t bem @tauifa(^er bic (Sc^itjerter).
©0 tte|)mtl
(©tauffad^cr.
0li^t mir, bent ^Iter fei ble ^^re»
3 m ^ofe.
^ie meipctt 3at;t:e ^d^lt Ulric^ ber ©c^mib. • 1140
5luf ber SO'^auer.
^er Wlann iji tracfer, boc^ nic^t freten ©tanbS;
^eitt eigner 2)^ann faun Oli^ter felrt in ©c^nj^§* '
©tauffad^er, •
©te^t ni^t «§err Olebing l^ter, ber Qlltlanbammann ?
5Ba^ fud^eti wir no^ einen SGSurDlgern?
Saltier ?5urft.
@r fei ber Qtmmann unb beg 3:!age3 ^au:j3t! 1145
5Ber baju jtimmt, er^eBe feine ^dnbe*
(5lltc l^eBeti bie red^te §anb auf.)
gfl e b i n g (tritt in bic mtk),
3(^ fann bie ^anb nic^t auf bie SBiic^er legen,
©0 fd^njor' i^ broken Bei ben en^'gen ©ternen,
^a^ ic^ mi^ nimmer voiU tiont Ole^t entfernen*
(9)?an ri(^tet bie ^hjei ©d^trerter t?or iljtn auf, ber Oling Bilbet ftc^
urn il)n f)er, 'Scfjirt^j :^dlt bie 9>Htte, rc^t^ (ief(t fi(^ Uri unb lin!^
Untern>all)en. Qx jie^)t auf fein @c^lac^tfd)n?eit ge)^ii|tO
a. Slufjug, 2. ©cenc. 65
SBae ifi'3, bag bie brei 255t!er bea ©eBlrgg 1150
^ier an beg (See0 unn?irt^Iid)em ©eftabe
3ufammeufu^rte in ber ©eifterftunbe ?
S©aa fott ber Sn^alt fein bea neuen 2Bunb0,
^en n;ir l^ier unterm ©ternen^^immel ftiften?
(Stauffa^er (tvitt in ben Oiiug).
SBir j^iften feinen neuen 35unb; eg ifl 1155
(i,ixi nralt SBiinbni^ nur i?on SSater 3^^^^
JDag ix)ir erneuern ! . SBiffet, ©ibgenoffen !
DB una ber (8ee, 0^ una bie ^erge fc^eiben,
Unb iebea QSol! flc^ fur flc^ felBjl regiert,
(So ftnb n?ir einea ©tammea boc^ unb SSIuta, 1160
Unb eine Ǥelmat:^ ift'a, aua ber n?ir jogen.
aSinfelrieb.
^0 ifi ea njal^r, trie'a in ben )^iebern lautet,
5)ag n?ir ijon fern l^er in baa )^anb gen?attt?
D tl^eilt'a una mit, n^aa eud^ bat>on Mannt^ ^
5)a^ fic^ ber neue SBunb am alten pdr!e. 1165
(Stauffa^er.
.gort, njaa bie atten ^^irten flc^ erjci^Ien,
— ^a n?ar ein gro^ea 33ol!, ^nUxi \\\\ i^anbc
0lac^ 2)^itterna^t, baa litt i)on fc^njerer ^eurung.
3n biefer 01ot:^ Befc^Io^ bie )^anbagemeinbe,
©af {e ber jel^nte SBiirger nac^ bem )^ooa 1170
©er SSdter l^anb i?erlaffe — ^a^ gefc^a:^ !
Unb gogen aua, tre^flagenb, 5^dnner unb SBeiBer,
dm grower *§eer^ug, nac^ ber 3)tittagafonne,
2)Ut bem ®d)n?ert flc^ fc^Iagenb burc^ baa beutfc^e )i^anb,
^ia an baa 'goc^tanb biefer Sffialbge^irge* 1175
Unb e^er ni^t ermiibete ber 3ug,
F
66 Iffiil^elm XcU.
SBia baf f!e !amcn in ba0 ti^ilbe Xijal,
2Bo ie|t bie ^notta jti^ifc^en SOSiefen rtnnt —
S^ic^t SO^enfd^enfpurett iraren l^ier ju fe^en,
9^ur eine tgiitte fianb am Ufer einfam, 1180
^a fa^ ein 2)kntt, unb n^artete ber Sa^re —
^o(^ :^eftig uiogete ber ^ee unb voat
0lic^t \a{)xhax} 'oa Befallen fte ba^ J^anb
6ic^ na:^er unb geti^al^rten fc^one Siitte
^e^ ^ol^eg unb entbetf ten gute aSrunnen, 1185
Unb meinten, flc^ im lieBen 3SaterIanb
3u ftnben — 2)a Befc^Ioffen fte §u BlelSen,
©rBaueten ben alien Slecfen (Sc^tcijj,
Unb l^atten manc^en fauren XaQ, ben 2BaIb
Win vodt i?erf(^Iungnen SQurjeIn augjuroben — 1190
3)rauf, ate ber SBoben nic^t niel^r ©nugen if)at
3)er 2a1)l be0 33oI!^, ba jogen fte l^lnuBer
3um fc^n?arjen SBerg, {a, Bi0 ang ^eiplanb ^in,
5So ^inter ett)^gem ©ifegn^aU i?erBorgen,
©in anbreg SSoI! in anbern Sungen f^rid^t 1195
3)en Slecfen (Stanj er^Bauten fte am Jlernn^alb,
5)en glecfen 5ia or f in bem ^^al ber ^eu^ —
^o(^ Blie6en fie beg Urfprungg ftetg geben!;
5lu0 all ben fremben <Stammen, bie feitbem
3n a^itte t^reg l^anbg flc^ angeftebelt, ,200
Sinben bie ^^c^n^i^jer 2)?dnner fl^ ^eraug,
(gg giBt bag »gerj, bag 23lut ftd^ ju erfennen.
(O^eid^t ted^t^ unb lin!^ bie §anb l^in.)
Qtuf ber S^auer.
3a, trir flnb tixK^^ ^ergeng, eineg 93Iutgl
^Ile (W ^^^ 'Sanbe teic^cnb).
SBir flnb ein 3Solf, unb einig njoUen n?ir |)anbeln»
2. Slufjug, 2. Scene. 67
©tauffad^er*
2)ie anbern S35t!er tragen frembeg 3oc^, 1205
(Bit ^abm ftd^ bem @ieger untertrorfen.
©g leBen felBjl in unfern ^anbe^marfen
5)er (Saffen ijiel, bie frembe ^flic^ten tragen,
Unb i^re ^ned;tfc^aft erBt auf i:^te ^inber.
^od^ tx)ir, ber alten ^^njei^er e^ter @tamm, 12 10
Wix ^akn ftetg bie Srei^eit un^ Uvodi)xt
SRi^t unter Siirfien Bogen vrir bag ^nie,
SreinjiUig n^ci^lten mx ben (Sd^irm ber ,^aifen
0l5[felmann.
Srei voa1)lkn mx beg 9fietd)eg (Sd^u^ unb ©c^irm;
©0 jle^t'g :6emer!t in ^aifer Sriebric^g SSrief. 1215
©tauffac^er.
^tnn l^errenlo0 ifi auc^ ber Sreij^e nid^t.
©in DBer^au^t ntug fein, ein l^oc^jler SRid^ter,
SKo man bag Otec^t mag fc^o:^fen in bem ©treit.
^rum l^aBen unfre SSdter fur ben SSoben,
5)en fte ber alien SBilbnig aBgerronnen, 1220
5)ie ©^r' gegonnt bem ^aifer, ber ben ^errn
(Bi^ nennt ber beutf^en unb ber n?el[d;en @rbe,
Unb, tt)ie bie anbern Sreien feineg Oleic^g,
@i(^ i^m ^u ebelm SBaffenbienfi geloBt;
^eun biefeg ijl ber greien eing'ge ^flic^t, 1225
2)ag Oleic^ gu fc^irmen, bag fte [elBjl Be[(^irmt*
2??eI^t]^aL
SSag bruter i% ift SO^erfmal eineg ^ned^tg.
©tauffad^er*
6ie folgten, njenn ber *§erit3ann erging,
5)em Qfleic^g^anier unb fc^Iugen [eine ©d^Iac^ten.
^la^ SSelfc^lanb jogen fte gen?a:p)3net mit, 1230
68 SBil^elm %ai
2)a^elm regierten fie ftc^ fro^Iic^ felBfl
^a(^ altem 58rau(^ unb eigenem ®efe^;
2)er l^o(^fle 33tut6ann voax aUdn beg ^ai[er3»
Unb baju njarb ^efietlt ein grower ®raf, 1235
S)er ^atte feinen <Si| ni^t in bem !i^anbe»
SBenn SBIutfc^ulb fam, fo rief man i^n l^erein,
Unb unter offncm »gimniel, fdjlid^t unb flar^
(S^rac^ er bag Oie^t unb o^ne gur^t ber SD^enfc^en*
S33o ftnb ^ier @^uren, ba§ n^ir »^ned)te finb? 1240
3fl einer, ber eg anberg ii^eif, ber rebel
3m ^ofe^
0leln, fo ijer^dlt flc^ aUeg, n^le ii)x frred^t,
@en;)altl^err[c^aft tx)arb nie ^el ung gebulbet*
©tauffac^er*
^em i^aifer fel^ji i?erfagten n?ir ©e^orfam^
©a er bag 9lec^t gu @unfi ber ^faffen Ioq. 1245
2)enn alg ble £eute t)on bem ©otteg^aug
@ in fie be In ung bie ^Ip in ^lnf:pru^ na^men,
^ie n:ir Bea^eibet feit ber SSdter Qiit,
2)er ^Ibt i^erfur^og einen alien 93rief,
2)er ii^m bie l^errenlofe SBixpe f^enfte — 1250
Z>mn unfer ^a\dn 'i)aiit man i?er^et;lt —
^a [))rac^en irir: „©r[c^Iid^en ijt ber SSrief!
,^ein ^aifer fann, tx)ag unfer i|t, J?erfc^en!en ;
Unb txiirb ung S^e^t i?erfagt t>om 0lei(^, n?ir fonnen
3n unfern SSergen auc^ beg Olei^g ent^be^ren." 1255
— <Bo f:pra(^en unfre 3Sdter! ©oUen tt?ir
©eg neuen 3od^eg <Sc^dnblic[;!eit erbulben,
©rieiben ijon bem fremben t^nec^t, n?ag ung
3n feiner ^a(i]i fein ^aifer burfte Bieten?
— aSir l^a^en biefen SBoben ung erf(^affen 1260
2. Slufjug, 2. Scene. 69
©urd^ unfrcr »&dnbe Sleif, beit atten SBalb,
©cr fonji ber SBdren toitbe SSo^mmg trar,
3u einem 6ife fur 3}ten[c^en umgeti^anbelt ;
5)le SBrut beg ©rac^en l^a'Sen trlr getobtet,
©er au6 ben ®um)3fen giftgefc^txsotlen ftieg; 1265
©ie Sile^elbecfe l^aBen n^ir gerriffen,
©ie etrig grau urn biefe S^ilbni^ ^Ing,
©en l^arten S^elg gefprencjt, u6er ben QlSgrunb
©em 30Banber6mann ben ftc^ern ^teg geleltetj
Unfer ift burc^ tau[enbid:^rigen SBeft^ 1270
©er SSoben — unb ber frembe ^erren!nec!^t
<BoU !ommen burfen unb un§ Jletten fc^mieben,
Unb 6c^macl) antl^un auf unfrer eignen (Srbe ?
3)1 feme ^iilfe gegen fot^en ©rang?
((5ine grope 58eit?egung untcr ben l&anbleuten.)
0leln, etne ©renje i)at ^^rannenma^t. 1275
SSenn ber ©ebriicfte nirgenbg Olec^t fann ftnben,
SBenn unertrdglic^ trirb bie ^a^ — greift er
Ȥinauf getrojien 2)tutt;e0 in ben ^immel
Unb ^olt ^erunter feine enj'gen O^ec^te,
©ie broken ^angen unt) erdu^ertic^ 1280
Unb unjerBre^Iic^, n:te bie 6terne felBj! —
©er alte Urjlanb ber ^atnx fe^rt n^ieber,
2Bo 2Renf^ bem 2Jtenfd)en gegeniiBer fte^t —
3um Ie|ten WitUl, votnn !ein anbreg nte^r
SSerfangen vciU, iji i'^m bag ©d)n?ert gege^en — 1285
©er ©liter 1^5c^|teg biirfen irir i?ert^eib'gen
©egen ©etratt — SBir fte^n tior unfer !^anb,
2Bir fle'^n tjor unfre ^eikr, unfre \^lnber!
5tnc (an i^re <S(!^lrerter fc^tagenb).
SBir jtel^n t)or unfre 2BeiBer, unfre ^inber!
70 SBil^elm Siett.
ffloffelmann (tritt in ben (Ring),
(y^' tl^r jum @d^trerte grelft, Bebenft eS tro^ll 1290
3^r fonnt eg frtcblid^ tnlt bem ^aifer ((^lic^ten*
®§ fofiet euc& ein SCBort, unb bie '^^xanmn,
2)te eu(^ ie§t fd^trcr Bebrdngen, f^meic^eln eud^.
— ©rgrelft, trag man cuc^ oft geBoten l^at,
^rennt euc^ t)om SReic?^, erfennet Deprelc^g ^gol^eit — 1295
Qluf ber S^^auen
2!Ba3 fagt ber $farrer? 2Bir §u Deflteid^ fd^troren!
5lm SBiil^eU
Ȥ5vt i^^n nid^t an!
Sinfelrieb.
2)a§ rdt:^ ung ein 33erratl^er,
^In SJeinb be0 Sanbegl
01 e b I n g.
Sflu^ig, (^ibgenoffett I
©en? a*
iEBir Defireic^ ^utbigen, na^ folc^er (^d^ma^!
SSonberfflue^
SBlr ung aBtTo|en laffen but^ ®malt, 1300
^^a6 njir ber ©iite ireigerten!
2?^eier.
©ann njaren
5Bir <BUa^m unb tierbienten eS ju fein!
Q(uf ber fl^auer*
S)er fet geflogen au8 bent SRec^t ber @^tt?etger,
2Ber i?on (SrgeBung f^^rtd^t an Dejterrei^!
— ^^anbammann, id^ Befie^e brauf, bie§ fel 1305
©a0 erjte l^anb^gefe^, bag trir ^ier get?en»
3[^ele^t^aL
©0 fel'3, 3Ber t)on ©rgeBung f^rid;t an Deflrei^,
2. Slufaug, 2. ©cene. 71
®ott red^tloS feln unb aUer (S^ren Baar,
^ein l^anbmann ne^^m' i^n auf an feinem ffeuer^
^11 e (f>eBen bie recite »5anb auf).
SSir njoHen eS, bag fei @efeg!
aiebing (nad^ eincr $aufe).
@g ift'g. 1310
gioffelmann.
3e^t feib % ftei, tl^r feib'^ burc^ bieS ®efe^.
0lid^t bur(^ ©etratt fott Deflerreic^ ertro|en,
2Ba6 eg burd^ freunblic^ 5©erBen nic^t er^ielt —
3o|l t>on 3©eiler.
3ut ^agegorbnung, treiter!
0lebing»
dibgenoffen !
(sinb atle fanften Wlxiitl auc^ t>et[uc^tj^ 1315
QSietleid^t voti^ eg ber ,^onig nid^t; eg ijl
SSo^I gar fein SKiHe ni^t, trag trir erbulbert*
%\x6:j biefeg !^e|te foUten n:ir t>erfu(^en,
®rtl itnfre ,^Iage kingen t>or feln D^^r,
^1^' trir jum (Sc^trerte gteifen. ^Sc^recSic^ immer, 1320
^u^ in gerec^ter <Sad^e, ijt ©etratt.
©ott l^ilft nut bann, njenn 2)?enf^en ni^t mel^r l^elfen.
@tauffad^er (ju ^onrab §unn).
0lun ip'g an end;, 93etid)t ^u gel3em Otebet*
^onrab ^unn,
3(^ n?ar gu Ol^einfelb m beg ^aiferg ^fal^,
SSiber ber SSogte fatten ©rud gu Hagen, 1325
5)en SSrief ju l^olen unfrer alten 5*rei^eit^
2)en ieber neue ^ijntg fonft Beflcitigt
©le SBoten t)ieler (Stable fanb i^ bort,
SSom f(S^n?dB'f(^en )^anbe unb i^om Ji^auf beg Ol^eing^
7^ ' SBil^elm S;cn.
5)ie air cr^ielten it;re ^ergamente, 1330
Hub !e^rten freubig ti^leber in \f)x ^anh.
Mi(^f euren 95oten, tr)ieg man an bic 015%,
Unb bie entliegen nti^ mit leercm Xxoft:
„2)er ^aifer l^aBe bteamal feine Qtit;
„^r n:urbe fonft etnmat trof)l an una bcn!en." 1335
— Itnb aU id) traurig burc^ bie <BaU ging
^er .^ontggBurg, ba fal; ic^ 'Serjog ^anfen
3n cinem ^ir!er n^einenb p'i)n, urn i^n
!S)ie ebein <§errn i?on SBart unb ^egerfelb.
5)ie tiefen mir unb fagten: „^elft euc^ felBp! 1340
„®erecl;tigfeit ern^artet nic()t t)om ,^onig.
„33erauBt er nid)t be0 eignen SBruberg ^inb,
„Unb 1)inkx^alt il)m fein gcrec^tea (SrBe?
„^er ^cr^og flel;t' if)n urn fein TlhtUxli^^^,
„®r l^a:6e feine Sa^re 'ooU, e§ trate 1345
^S^Iun Qni, auc^ Ji^anb unb £eute ju regieren.
„5Bag n?arb i:^m jum SBefd^eib? (Sin ^rdnjtein fefet' if)m
„5)er ^aifer auf: ba6 fei bie Qkx ber Sugenb,"
51 uf ber 3[)?auer*
3l)r ^aBt'3 ge^ort. ^edji unb ®erec^tig!eit
^rnjartet ni^t ijoni ^aifer! ^elft euc^ felBfi! 1350
(R e b i n g,
«nic^tg anbreS UtiU un^ iiBrig. 01un ge^t matf),
SSie njir eg !tug ^um froI;en ©nbe leiten.
SBaltl^er dnxft (tritt in ben (Ring).
QtBtrei^en njotlen trir t>er^a^ten 3^««g;
5)ie alten Olec^te, tt)ie njir fie txnU
SSon unfern 33atern, n^oUen n?ir ^ema^ren, 1355
S"li^t unge^i'igett nac^ bent SReuen greifem
2. Sfufjug, 2. Scene. 73
SSer etnen »§errn '{)at, bien' i^m :t3flid;tgemd^»
3c^ trage ®ut 5?on Deftettet^ §u !^e:(icm
SKaItt)er ffurfl.
S'^r fa^ret fort, Dcftreic^ bie ^flic^t ju leljien. 1360
Soft t>ott SBeiler.
3c^ fleure an bic ^nxn t)on 9^a)3)3ergtreiL
SBalt^er gurfl
3^r faf)xtt fort, ju glnfen unb ju jteuerm
01 offetmanm
2)er gro^en Srau ju 3"^^^ ^tn tc^ i^ereibet
SBaltl^er Surjl.
3t;r ge6t bent Jtlofler, tra§ beS ^loftera ifl.
©tauffac^^cr^
3(^ trage feine !^e^en aU beg Sfleld;^. 1365
5BattI;er Surfl.
5Bag feitt mu^, bag gefcT)et)e, boc=^ nic^t bruiser.
5)ie 33ogte iroKen mx mit it}ren ^uec^ten
SSerjagen unb bie feflett ®(f)loffer Brec^en;
®oc^, trenn eg fein ntag, of)ne 93Iut, ©g fe^e
2)er ^alfer, ba|5 n:ir not!)gebrungen nnr 1370
^er ©^rfurc^t fromme $f(ic^ten atu3eirorfen»
Unb fte^t er ung in unfern (Sc^ranfen Wii^m,
JBiedeic^t kfiegt er {iaatgHng feinen 3orn;
Z)^nn Bitt'ge Surest ern^ecfet ftc^ ein 33olf,
®ag mit bent ©c^njerte in ber Sauft ftc^ nta^igt. 1375
01 e b i n g,
2)0(^ laffet l^oren, n?ie t>otlenben trir'g?
74 SBil^elm Sell.
^g ^at ber Seinb bie 2Baffen in ber ^anb,
Unb ni^t fuwa^^r in grieben tx)irb er ti^eic^eit.
^tauffac^er*
©r ttjlrb'g, trenn er in SKaffen ung erBIi^t;
SlBir uBerraf^en il^n, el^' er fi^ ruflet. 1380
2)Z e i e r.
3jl Batb geftjroc^en, aBer fc^ti^er get^an^
Un0 ragen in bent J^anb gtrei fe|!e (^c^loffer,
2)ie geBen (^c^irm bent S'einb unb trerben furc^tBar,
^enn ung ber ,fonig in baa !^anb foUt' fatten.
Oloperg nnb <Baxmn muf Be^njungen fein, 1385
©^' man ein 6^trert er^eBt in ben brei £anben.
^tanffac^er.
<Ba\xmt man fo lang, fo n?trb ber ffeinb gen:arnt,
3n 33iele flnb'0, bie bag ©e^eimni^ tl^eilen.
a^eier.
3n ben SKalbfldtten pnb't ftc^ fein 3Serrat^er,
Oloff elm a nn.
®er ©ifer anCtj, ber gute, fann i?errat^en» 1390
SCSalt^er gitrfl.
(S^ieBt man e§ auf, fo n?irb ber ^n^ing iJoHenbet
3n Qlltorf, unb ber SSogt Befejligt fic^.
SD^eier.
3^r benft an euc^.
<SiQxi%
Unb i^r feib ungered^t.
2)Zeier (auffa^rcnb).
SCBir ungered^t ! ©ag barf ung Uri Bieten !
01 e b i n g»
9Bei eurem @ibe, Olu^lM
2. Slufaug, 2, ©cene. 75
3a, trenn f!^ (^(^trt^j 1395
3Serfle:^t mit Urt^ tnuffen trir trol;l [^treigem
_^ 91 e b i n g.
3c^ mu^ eud^ treifen t>or ber Sanb^gemeinbe,
^ag i^r mit l^eft'gem <Sinn ben Srieben port!
<Btti)n voix ntc^t atte fur btefelBe (Sad^e?
SBinfcIrieb.
SBetttt trir^S tJerfd^le^en Bi^ pm S^ejt beg ^errn, 1400
^ann 6ringt'3 bie <Biik mit, ba§ aUe <^affen
©em 33ogt ©efd^enfe Bringen auf bag (^c^lo^*
©0 fonnen je^en ^annn ober jrrolf
(8i^ uni^erbdc^tig in ber SBurg ijerfammein,
Die fii^reit l^eimtid^ frife'ge (Sifen mit, 1405
®ie man gefc^trinb fann an bie <StaU flecfen,
Denn niemanb fommt mit aBaffert in bie SSurg.
3und(^fl im SKatb ^dtt bann ber gro^e ^gaufe,
Unb, vctnn bie anbern gliicfU^ fic^ be§ ^l^org
^rmdc^tiget, fo trirb ein Ǥorn geHafen, 1410
Unb jene Bremen au§ bem «§inter^alt»
©0 n?irb bag (Sd^Io^ mit leister 5lrBeit unfer*
5)en 9loperg uBerne^m' i^ ju erjleigen,
^tnn eine 2)irn' beg ©^toffeg ijl mir ^olb,
Unb leic^t Bettor' i^ fte, jum ndc^tlic^en 1415
3Be[u^ bie fc^tranfe ^iittx mix ^u reid^en;
SBin ic^ broken erft, gie^^' ic^ bie greunbe nad).
01 e b i n g.
Sfl'g mUx aSitle, baf t?erf^oBen n^erbe?
(2)ic a)?e^r^eit crfjeBt bie §anb.)
©tauffa^er Odf)U bie ©timmeu).
^g ijl ein S^e^r t>on ^tranjig gegen grcolfl
76 SBiU)elm Siell.
«IQaItt;er Svix%
5I0enn am Beflimmten ^ag bie 33urgen fatTett, 1420
<Bo geBen voix ijon elnem SBerg jum anbern
^ag 3^ic^^i^ niit bem ^m^; ber l^anbj^urm tijirb
QlufgeBoten^ f(f;netl, im '§au^^tort jcbeS £anbe6. >
SCi}enn bann bte 33ogte fe^n ber ^liiaffen (Srnf!,
@tauBt mir, fte ixjerben ftd^ beS (Streita BegeBen 1425
Unb gern ergretfcn friebltc^e^ ©eteit,
Q(u0 unfern )S;^anbegmar!eu ju enttretc^en*
<Stauffa^er»
0lur tnit bcm ®e{5Ier fittest' ic^ fd^treren <©tanb,
ffutc^tBar ijt er tnit Oteiftgen umgeBen;
01ict)t ot)ne SBIut rdumt er bag ffelb, {a, fet^j^ 1430
SSertrieBen HeiBt er furcl;tBar nod; bem )S^anb,
©^trer ifi'0 unb fafi gefd^^rlic^, i^n ju [d;onert*
SSaumgarten*
SSo'a :^a%efd{)rll^ i^ ba ftetlt mic^ f;ln!
5)em ^etl tierbanf ic^ mein gcrettet ^^Un,
®ern fc^Iag' id/g in bie ^c^anje fiir bag )^anb; 1435
SJtein' (S^r' ^aB' ic^ Befc^it^t, mein ^erj Befriebigt.
0{ e b i n g*
©ie Beit !»ringt ^atf), ^rtrartet'6 in ©ebulb.
3[)^an mnf bem QtugenBIicf auc^ tra§ i^ertrauen.
— ©od; fe!)t, inbe^ n^ir ndd}tlid) ^ier no^ tagen,
©tetit auf ben ^oc^pen SBergen fd)on ber 2)?orgen 1440
3}ie glii^'nbe «§oc=^ix)a^t au0 — ,f ommt, la^t unS f^eiben,
©^' una beg ^ageg Seud;ten uBerrafd)t»
SKalt^cr ffurji.
®orgt ntd)t, bte 0la^t n^eic^t langfam a\x^ ben ^t)dlern.
(§irre ^aBen itnu^tKfurlic^ bte .§ute aB^cttontmcn itnb Uixa<^Un tnit
jtiKer (Sammlung bie 3}?orgeurotl)c.)
2. Sfufjug, 2,. ©cene. 77
0loffeImanm
SBel biefem ^i^t, ba3 un^ juerfi Begruj5t__ ""^
SSott aUm SScIfern, ble tlef unter un^ 1445
©(^ttjer at^menb iro^nen in bem Ciuatm ber ©tdbte,
£aft un0 ben ^ib be^ neuen SBunbeg fc^troren,
— 3LBir vooUm fein ein ein^ig 3SoI! t>on SBriibern,
3n feiner 0lot^ ung trennen unb ®efa^r»
(5l((e fpred^en c6 nac^ mit cr:^oBenen brci gingern.)
- — SBir tt)oUen fret fein n^ie bie 33dter traren^ 1450
^^er ben ^^ob, aU in ber ^ned)tfc^aft leBen*
(2Bie cBen.)
— SCir iroUen trauen auf ben 1^5c5^jien ®ott
Unb un0 ni^t fixt^ten 'oox ber SJ^ad^t ber 2)^enf^en»
(3Bie oben. S)ie liJanbleute umarmen einanber.)
©tauffac^er*
3e^t gel^e jeber feineS SBegeg flitt
3u feiner Sreunbfc^aft nnb ©enogfamc. 1455
5Ber Ȥirt ifl, n^intre rut)ig fein.:Ǥerbe
Unb n^erB' im ©titlen greunbe fur ben SBunb.
— 28 a § nod^ BiS ba^in niu^ erbulbet irerben^
^rbulbet'0 I ^a^t bie Oled^nung ber ^^ranncn
5lntrad^fen, Big ein ^ag bie allgemeine 1460
Unb bie Befonbre ©d;ulb auf einmal ja^It.
95ejd^me Jeber bie gere^te 2Butt;,
Unb f:pare fiir bag ©an^e feine Olac^e;
®enn OlauB Begel^t am aUgemeinen ®ut,
2Ber felBjl ftc^ l^ilft in feiner eignen (^ac!)e, 1465
(Sntem jte ju brei verf^iebenen <Scitert in grofter 0?u"^e aBget)en,
fdUt ba^ Drd}cfier mit cinem ^rac^t^ctlen ©^n?ung ein; bie lecre
<Scene Heibt nod) cine Beitlang offen unb ^eigt ba^ ©^aufpiel ttr
aufge^enoen <Sonne uber ben ©i^geHrgen.)
ARGUMENT.
ACT III.
The events of the third act pass in three different places :
still they are, in some respect, connected with each other.
T\iQ Jirst scene reveals to us the idyllic home circle of Tell,
who is engaged at some carpenter's work, whilst Hedwig, his
wife, busies herself with the performance of domestic duties.
Their children, Walther and Wilhelm, play in the background,
as young archers, with the cross-bow, which circumstance
gives rise to a conversation between Tell and his wife, who
expresses her anxiety at the deeds of daring and adventure
which Tell is said to perform during his perilous excursions
over the frozen mountain steeps; but Tell expresses his
reliance in God, and in his own strength and watchfulness.
He then prepares to leave for.Altorf, where he has promised
to meet his father-in-law, Walther Fiirst. But Hedwig,
whose heart is filled with anxious forebodings, implores him
to keep away from Altorf, where Gessler just then happens
to be staying. Tell, however, persists, and, to reassure
Hedwig, tells her that not long ago he met Gessler on a
lonely spot, where it was quite in his power to take his full
revenge on account of the severe punishment which the
Governor had inflicted upon him 'for a trifling offence/
Gessler saw his own helpless condition and trembled, but
Tell scorned the very idea of a cowardly vengeance ; hence
he considers himself safe from the Governor. In vain Hedwig
tells her husband that Gessler will never forgive him for
having seen him trembling in his weakness ; he has promised
to go, and is bent upon keeping his word. Walther, the true
* child of the mountain,* accompanies his father, whilst his
gentler brother, Wilhelm, stays at home with his mother.
The next scene is laid in a retired part of the forest, and
the romantic character of the scenery is indicated by brooks
ARGUMENT, 79
dashing in spray over the rocks. Bertha von Bruneck
appears in a hunting-dress, and is follov^^ed immediately by
Ulrich von Rudenz. A long conversation ensues, from which
we learn that the Baron von Attinghausen was right in think-
ing that the hand of that noble lady was held out as a bait for
his nephew by the Imperial party. Rudenz now confesses to
Bertha that in joining the partisans of Austria he had hoped
to gain her good graces. But the patriotic maiden scorns
the thought of ever being united to a man who betrays his
country. These generous sentiments arouse the nobler feel-
ings which had only been slumbering in the heart of Rudenz,
and the valiant knight determines to bid adieu to the phan-
toms of his ambitious folly, and to find his happiness among
his own people.
Bertha admonishes him to ' stand by the people whatever
may happen,' but is interrupted by the sound of hunting horns
which are heard in the distance, and the two part leaving
in different directions.
The place of action is now transferred to a meadow near
Altorf, where the whole of the third scene passes. At the
back of the stage is seen the strange spectacle of a hat placed
upon a pole, to which the people had been bid to do homage,
and two soldiers, Friesshardt and Leuthold, keep watch before
what looks like a scare-crow, to see that the order is obeyed.
Tell has now arrived, with his son Walther, at Altorf.
They pass the hat without noticing it. The father explains
to his son, that the reason why the Swiss prefer toiling amidst
the wild and barren mountains, instead of going down to the
delightful land which is fair as any garden, is because they
prize freedom above all.
Tell's attention is called to the hat by his curious son, and
as he is hastening away, determined not to take notice of it,
he is stopped by Friesshardt. The soldiers are about to drag
Tell into prison, when upon the cries of Walther the priest
Rosselmann and the sacristan, with three other men, rush
upon the scene. They are soon joined by Walther Fiirst,
Melchthal, and Stauffacher. Their indignation is roused by
8o ARGUMENT.
the determination of the soldiers to thrust Tell into prison
as a traitor. Now follows a tumultuous scene, which is, how-
ever, all but stilled by the influence of Fiirst and StaufFacher,
when the malicious Friesshardt utters the cry of * Riot and
Insurrection:* and this he repeats still more loudly, when
hunting horns are heard from without, and the approach of
the Governor is announced.
Gessler appears, accompanied by Rudolph der Harras,
Bertha, Rudenz, and a numerous train of armed attendants.
The cause of the uproar being explained, Gessler reproaches
Tell with flagrant disloyalty, and instead of graciously accept-
ing the latter*s candid apology, he inhumanly bids the archer
shoot an apple placed on his own child's head ; if he miss the
aim his own head shall be forfeited. In vain the unfortunate
father implores the mercy of the Governor, in vain are the
heartfelt appeals of Bertha and the energetic remonstrances of
Rudenz ; Gessler remains inexorable. But even while Bertha
casts herself between the incensed Governor and the indignant
Rudenz, Tell takes aim and shoots the apple from the head of
his son,
Gessler is amazed at the daring deed ; and Tell sinks to the
ground exhausted. All present are deeply aflfected, and while
they are about to lead off* the agitated father, Gessler asks
him what he meant to do with the second arrow which he
had placed with some seeming design in his belt. Tell, in
reliance upon the Governor's promise that his life should be
spared, avows that with the second arrow he meant to have shot
Gessler himself, in case the first had hit his darling child.
Tell has scarcely uttered that manly declaration when
Gessler gives the order to seize and bind him, declaring with
treacherous ingenuity that he granted Tell his life, but not
his freedom. Tell is to be removed to the Governor's ship,
and he will himself see him safely lodged at Kiissnacht.
Amidst the heartrending exclamations of agony from those
present. Tell resolutely tears himself away from his sympa-
thizing friends, sending to his anxious wife the message : * The
boy is uninjured: God will succour me I*
Xxitttx Slufjug.
©rjie (Scene.
§of »or XtU^ §aufe.
5!ctl tft tttit ter Sttnmetart, §ebit?tg mit etner l^auglid^ctt
SlrBeit bef^dftigt. SBalt^er imb SKit^clm in ber S:iefe
fpielen mit einer fleinen SlrmBrufl.
$Batt^er (fmgt).
SD^it bent 35feil, bent SBogen,
^utd^ ©eBirg unb 2^al
,£ommt ber ®d^it^ Qe^ogen
grii^ ant 2)?orgenjtral^l.
SGie im Olei(^ ber Sufte M7o
^onig iji ber SBei^ —
2)ur(^ ®e:6irg unb ,^Itiftc
Ǥerr[^t ber (S^u^e frei*
3^m ge^ort baa 5Beite,
SKa6 fein 5^feil erreid^t; 1475
®a§ ifl feine SSeute,
SBag ba flengt unb freud^t
(Stommt gcfprungen.)
^cr ©trang ift ntir ent3n:et. SKad^ mir i^n, SSater^
G
S2 SBil^elm 2;en.
(^naben cntfernen fi^.)
©ie t^na^en fangen'geitig an §u f^legem 1480
ffru^ iiU f!c^, n?a0 ein 2^elfter w^erben njitl*
«§ e b tx> i g»
51^, ttjoate ®ott, fte lernten'g niel
®ie foUen adeg lernen. Ser bur^a !^e^en
6id^ frif^ n^iU fc^Iagen, mu^ gu 6c^u^ unb ^ru^
©erujiet feln^
«§ e b n? i g»
5lc^^ eg ii?irb feiner felne Olu^' 1485
3u 'gaufe finben.
2:eIL
abutter, i^ fann'g auc^ nic^t
3um *§lrten l^at 01atur mic^ nic^t geSilbet;
Olafllog mu^ ic^ tin fliic^tig 3t^t i^erfolgem
2)ann erfl geniep' i^ nteineg !^eBeng rec^t,
SBenn i^ mir'g jeben 3!ag aufg neu erBeute. 1490
Ȥ e b tx) i g.
Unb an bie Qlngfi ber Ȥaugfrau benffi bu nici^t,
!Die fl^ inbeffen, beiner n^artenb, l^drmt,
©enn mic^ erfuUt'6 mit ©raufen, trag bie ,^ned^te
SSott euren 2Bagefa|)rten fld^ erjd^len.
SBei iebem 5lBfc^ieb gittert mir bag ^erj, 1495
S)a§ bu mir nimmer »?etbejt n?ieber!e^rem
3- Slufjug, I. Scene. 83
3d^ fe^e bic^, im U)ilben ^i^geBitg'
3Serirrt, i?on einer ^li)3:|3e §u ber anberit
®en S'e^lf^rung t1)nn, fe^', n^ie bie ©emfe bid^
Slucffpringenb mit ftc^ in ben^QlBgrunb reift, 1500
SBle eine SBlnbtoine bic^ i?erfc^uttet,
SBic unter bir ber trugerifc^e fflrn
(SinBri^t, unb bu l^inaBflnfjl, ein leBenbig
SBecjtaBner, in bie f^auerlid^e ©ruft —
^^, ben t)ern?egnen 5ll:peniageir|afc^t 1505
^er 3^ob in l^unbert n^ec^felnben ©eflalten!
^ag ijl ein ungliicffelige^ ®mtxV,
2)a0 l^alggefd^^rli^ fii^rt am 5l6grunb ^uu
SGer frifd^ um^erftjal^t mit gefunben ©innen,
5luf ®ott ijertraut unb bie gelenfe Mxa\t, 1510
2)er ringt fld^ lei^t aug jeber gal^r unb 0lotl^;
©en fc^recft ber SSerg ni^t, ber barauf geBoren.
((ir l^at feinc 5ltbeit t)oI(enbct, legt ba^ ©erdt^ f)imt)e^.)
Se^t, mein' ic^, ^alt baS ^^or auf 3a^r unb ^ag.
2)ie 5lrt im t§aug erf^art ben Siintt^ermanm
(S'limmt ben §ut.)
»& e b w i g«
mo ge^fi bu l^in?
5leIL
9la(^ 5lltorf ju bem Sater, 15 15
^ e b n? i g.
©innfl bu auc^ nid^ta ©efd^rlic^eg ? ©efie^' mir'0*
^ell.
SBie fommjl bu barauf, grau?
G 2
84 SBil^elm %ai
•§ e b tr i g^
QkQtn bie 355gte — Q(uf bent Olutti tcarb
©etagt, id^ n?eif, unb bu Hjf au(^ im 23unbe»
3^ trar nid^t tnlt ba^ei — bo^ trerb^ i^ mic^ 1520
5)em Sanbe ni^t entgiel^en, trettn eg ruft
«&ebtx)ig.
6ie n^etbeit bic^ l^infietten, n^o ©efa^r ifi;
^a§ ^^n^erfte n^irb beln 5lnt^eU fein, it)ie immer*
3:eIL
din jeber tx)irb Bejleuert nac^ SSermogen,
Ȥ e b tx> i g,
^en Utttetiralbner ^a|t bu oud^ im (Sturme 1525
UeBer ben <See gefc^aft — ^in SBunber n^ar'S,
r^ 5)a^ ii)x entfontmen — ©ac^tefi bu benn gar nt^t
^n ^inb unb SQBeiB ?
^elL
!^ieB 2Bel^, i(^ bac^t' an euc^;
®rum rettet' td^ ben 3Sater feinen ^inbern,
Ǥ e b n^ i g^
3u fc^iffen in bent tritt^'gen <&ee! 2)a6 ^ei^t 1530
SRi^t ®ott i?ertrauen ! ©aS l^eigt ®ott i?erfuc^en I
3:eIL
2Ber gar ^u i?iet tebenft, trirb tcenig leiflem
Ǥ e b U) i g*
3a, bu Kji gut unb l^iilfreic^, bienejl atlen,
Unb n?enn bu felBfl in 01otl^ foinmjl, l^ilft bir feiner.
3- Slufaug, I. Scene. 85
^tx^nV cS ®ott, ba§ i^ ni^t ^giilfe Braud^e! 1535
((Ir nimmt btc Slrmbrujl unb $feilc.)
Ȥ c t) n? i g,
SBag tritljl bu mtt ber 5(rml3ru|l? :^ag fie ^ier*
3}Jir fe^lt ber 2lrm, ^i^enn mir ble SBaffe fel^lt.
(!Die J^naBctt fcmtnen jjuriidf.)
3Sater, n?o gc^^ft bu :^ln?
01ac^ 5lItorf, JlnaBc,
Sum (S^ni — aBidfl bu mlt?
3a, frcilic^ trill i^.
Ǥ e b n? t g,
©er )i^anbi?ogt tjl jefet bort. SSIeiB ireg i?on Qlltorf, 1540
^r ge^t, no^ l^ute,
»&ebtx)ig»
2)rum laf i^n crfl fort fein»
©cma^n' i^n ni^i an bi^. 2)u irei^t, er gvotlt uu3.
2)^ir foU fein 6ofer SBitle ni^t i?iel fd^aben;
3c^ t:^ue rec^t unb fc^eue feinen Seinb*
»&ebn?ig.
I)ie re(5^t t'^un, eBen bie l^aft er am meiften^ 1545
^elL
SBeil er ni(?^t an fie f ommen fann — ^id) trtrb
2)er Olitter njol^I in Srieben laffen, mein' i^*
86 SBil^elm 3;eIL
«§ e b tr i g»
80, tretgt bu bag?
©g [ft ni^t lattgc fier,
2)a glng ic^ {agen burc^ bie n^ilben ©runbe
2)ea @(^d(^ent^al6 auf ntenfc^enleerer (^pur, 1550
Unb ba i^ einfam einen ffelfenfleig
3SerfoIcjte, tco ttlc^t auS^utreic^en trar,
5)enn nhn mix l^ing fc^rof bie Selgtranb l^er,
Unb unten taufc^te furc^terli^ bet <B^a^m,
(2)ie ^naBen brangen ii^ re^t^ unb tin!^ an t:^n nnb fc^cn mit
gefpannter S^eugier an i^m l^inauf.)
5)a fam "bet !&anbi?ogt gegen tni^ ba^et, 1555
^r gan§ attein mit mir, ber atic^ aHein trar,
9BIo§ 2^enfd^ ju Wlm\(^, unb nel3en un0 ber QtSgtunb.
Unb aU ber Ȥerre mein anftc^tig trarb
Unb niic^ etfannte, ben er !urj jut>or
Urn fleiner Urfa^ njitten (dfen^er Q^Ui^t, 1560
Unb fa^ mic^ mit bem flattlic^en ©en^el^r
^a^er gefc^ritten fommen, ba i?erHa^t' tx,
^ie t^nie tierfagten il^m, ic^ \af) e6 fommen,
2)a^ er ie|t an bie Selgn^anb n^ixrbe fin!en»
— 5)a iammerte mic^ fein, i^ trat ju i'^nt 1565
SBef(S^eibentlid^ unb frrac^ : 3^ Un'^, 'gerr !^anbt)ogt,
^r a13er fonnte feinen armen ^ant
5i[u§ feinem 2J?unbe ge^en — Tlit ber »ganb nur
SKinft' er mir fc^n^eigenb, meineg 9Beg0 gu gel^n;
^a ging i(^ fort, unb fanbt' il^m fein ©efolge* 1570
»§ e b nj t g»
^r ^at t)or bir ge^ittert — $Be^e bir 1
7^ 2)a^ bu il^n fc^n?ad^ gefefin, i^ergiBt er nie»
3- Slufjug, I. Scene. 87
2)rum metb' i^ l^rt, unb er mx'o mic^ ni^t fu^em
Ǥ e b IX) i g.
SBtciB' ^eute nur bort treg. ®e:^' lieBer {agen^
2Bag fdm blr ein?
»§ e b tt) I g»
a^id^ dngfligt'g. SBIeiBe n^eg^ 1575
ffiie fannjl bu bid^ fo o^ne Urfad^' qudtcn?
^ e b n? i g.
SBetrs feine Urfac^' l^at — ^eU, Wei^e ^ier.
Sc^ l^aB'g t)erf)3rod^ett, lieBeg SBeiB, ju fommen.
Ǥ e b tr i g.
9^u^t bu, fo ge^* — nur laffe mlt ben ^na6en!
Saltier.
0lein, ^Kutter^en. 3c^ gel^e mit bem SSater. 1580
Ǥ e b tt) i g.
ffidlt^, t?erlaffen tt?itl|t bu beine 33Zutter?
SBaltl^er.
3^ Bring' bir auc^ trag <&uBf^eg mit t>om @I;nU
(®e^t mit bem SSatet.)
SBil^elm.
2)tutter, id^ HeiBe M bir!
.& c b «3 i g (umarmt i'^n),
3a, bu Bifl
SD'^ein lieBeg Jtinb, bu HeiBfl mir noc^ aUtinl
(@ie gcl^t an ba3 §oftf)or unb folgt ben Slbgel^enben tange mit
ben Slugen.)
88 aBil&elm XelL
3tt)eite Scene.
(Sine cingcf(!^Iojfene, tvilbe S©albc;egenb, ©taubbdd^e fluv^cn tton
ben gelfen.
S3 c r t '^ a im SagbHeib. ©leid; batauf 01 u b e n j.
aSert^a.
©r folgt tnir, ©nbli^ fann i(^ mi^ erfldren^ 1585
S^ubenj (tritt raf^ ein).
grduletn, {e|t enblid^ flnb' ic^ eud& aHein^
^IBgrunbe f^Iie^en tingS um^er un§ ein;
3n biefer Silbnif furc^t^ i^ feinen B^ugen;
SSom *§erjen U)dl§' ic^ biefeg lange (Sc^tx)eigen —
aSertl^a.
6eib i^r gen^if, ba^ un§ bic Sagb nidjt folgt? 1590
9^ u b e n ^.
^ie Sagb ift bort l^inaug — 3e|t ober nie !
3c^ mu^ ben t^^euren ^ugenBlic! ergreifen —
©ntf^ieben fel;en ntuf ic^ ntcin ®efd}icf,
Xtnb foUt' e§ mi^ auf etrig i?on euc^ fc^eiben,
"— D, iijaffhet eure gixt'gen SBIicfe nid^t 1595
SDHt biefer finfiern ^trenge ! SKer Bin ic^,
2)a^ i^ ben fii^nen SOBunfc^ ju eu(^ er^eBe?
SJ^ic^ l^at ber Olu^m no^ ni^t genannt ; ic^ barf
Wi(^ in bie 0lei^' nid^t fteUen mit ben Olittern,
5)ie flegBerii^mt un'o gtdnjenb eu^ umnjerBen, 1600
£Ri^t§ l)aW i^, aU mein »§er^ 'ooU Xxni unb SieBe —
95ert^a (ernjl unb ftreng).
2)urft i^r t>on !^ieBe reben unb t)on ^reue,
3- 2tuf3ug, 2. ©cene. 89
5)er treulo0 \mh an feinen ttdc^j^en $fl[ic^ten?
(Oiubenj tritt ^urucf.)
2)er @!Iai?e Defierreic^g, ber flc^ bem Srembling
SSerfauft, bem Unterbritcfer feineS 3Solf^? 1605
31 u b e n j.
93ott tn(^, meln S^raulein, ^5r' i(^ biefen 33ortcurf?
aSen fud^' ic^ benn, aU euc^, auf jener <SdU ?
a^icl) ben!t i^r auf ber <BtiU beg SSerrat^g
3u finben? ^^er tx)oIlt' id^ meine ^anb
^em ©e^ler felbjt, bent Unterbrucfer fc^enfen, 1610
QllS bem naturs?ergeffnen ^ol;n ber 6d^trei§,
<£)er flc^ gu feinem ^Serf^eug mac^en tmn I
01 u b e n 5*
D ®i?tt, it^aS mup ic^ l^oren?
SBertl^a.
SBie? 2Ba§ liegt
2)em guten 3J?enf(^en ndjer alg bie <Seinen?
©iB^t'^ f^onre $flic^ten fur ein ebleS ^n^, 1615
%U ein SSertl^eibiger ber llnfd)ulb fein,
©ag Oiec^t be^ Unterbrixcften ^u ^ef^trmen?
— 2)te <Seete Blutet mir um euer 3Sol!,
3c^ leibe ntit i^m, benn i<^ muf eg lieBen,
2)ag fo Bef^eiben ift unb bo^ t>oll ,^raft; 1620
^g jiel;t mein ganjeg ^er§ mtc^ gu if)m l^in^
SO'^it iebem ^age lern' i^'g nte^r t>ere^ren.
— 3^r a^er, ben 0latur unb 9ftittervpic^t
3^m gum geBorenen 2Befc^u|er gaBen,
Unb ber'S i^erld^t, ber treulog ukrtritt 1625
3nm Seinb xinti MttUn fd)miebet feinem )^anb,
90 SBitfietm 2;eII.
3^r fcib'3, ber mtd^ t)erle|t unb !rdn!t; id^ ntu^
SDf^ein ^gerj ^e^tringen, baf ic^ euc^ tiid^t ^affe.
S? u b e n J,
mm i^ benn nid^t ba0 93efie tneinea SSoIfg?
3^m unter Deflreic^a mdc^t'gem 6ce))ter n^t 1630
iDctt Srieben —
^ne^tfc^^aft X)ooUt i^x i^m Berelten!
®ie ?Jrei^eit trotlt il^r aw§ bent le^tcn ^Sc^lof,
®aa i^r no^ auf ber ^rbe Hie^, i:)eriagett»
©as SSol! ijerfle^t ftd^ Beffer auf fein @Iuc!,
,^ein (S^ein t>etfu^rt fein fid^ereS ©eful^L 1635
^ud^ ^a^en fte baS S^Ze^ unt6 »§au:j)t gen^orfen —
91 u b e n §♦
.SBertl^a! 3^r l^aft ntid^, il^r i?eracl;tet m\^\
SBert^a.
^dt' i^'0, ntir trdre Beffer — 5lBer ben
SSerac^tet fe^en unb t)era^tunggtcert^,
2)en man gem lieBen moc^te —
01 u b e n §.
SSertl^a! SSert'^a! 1640
S^r ^elget ntir ba§ l^o^jle ^gintntelSgliicf
Unb jiitrjt ntid^ tief in einem 5lugenBIid
0lein, nein, ba0 ^ble iji ni^t ganj erfiicft
^3n euc^ ! ^6 f^Iummert nut ; i^ n?itl e0 n:e^en,
3^r mit^t ©etratt augitBen an euc^ felBfl, 1645
©ie angeflamntte ^ttgenb ju ertobten;
2)oc?^, tro^I en^, f!e ift mdc^tiger aU \f)x,
Unb tto^ eud^ felto feib i^r gut unb ebel!
3- Slufjug, a. Scene. 91
(R u b e n j»
Sl^r glauBt an nti^ ! D SBert^a, atleg taf t
fSfli^ eure ii^ieBe fein unb tretben !
S5ert:^a.
®eib, 1650
SBoju bie l^etrltd^e 0latut cnc^ nta^te 1
^rfuttt ben $Ia|, voo^in fie euc^ fjefietlt,
3u eurem SSoIfe fte|)t unb eurem !^anbe,
Unb fam^jft fur euer l^eilig Ole^tl
91 u b e n §♦
SBe^ miv!
3Bie !ann i^ eu<^ ertingen, eu(^ ^eft^en, 1655
SBenn id^ ber S^ac^t bea Jtaiferg triberflreBe ?
Sfl'S ber SSertranbten mdd^t'ger SBiUe nt^t,
^er uBer eure Ȥanb t^rannifd^ iraltet?
SBert^a.
3n ben SBalbfldtten liegen nteine Outer,
Unb ijl ber ©d^weijer fret, fo Bin au^ ic^'3. 1660
91 u b e n J.
SBertl^a, tretc^ einen 9BIi(! tl^ut i^r mir auf !
SBertl^a.
»gofft nid^t burd^ Dejlretc^g (Sunjt niid^ §u errlncjen.
^lai^ nteinem ^rBe ftrecfen fie bie Ǥanb,
2)a0 mU man mit bent grofen ^xV i?ereinen;
DiefelBe Ji^dnbergier, bie eure Srei^eit 1665
SSerfd^lingen voxH, fie bro'^et auc^ ber nteinen !
— D Sreunb, ^unt D))fer Bin i^ auSerfe^n,
SSietleid^t um einen ©unjiting ju Belo^nen —
2)ort, voo bie galfc^'^eit uub bie 9ldn!e n?o^nen,
^in an ben ^iferl^of tt?ill man mid^ jie^n* 1670
9^ SBil^elm Zai
3)ort l^arren mein i>er^agter (g^e ^etten;
Sie ^kU ttur — bie eure faun mi(i) tetten !
S^ u b e n §.
S^r fonntet eu^ entfc^lief en, l^ter ju le^en,
3n meinem SSaterlanbe mein ju feln?
D SSertl^a, aU mein 6el^nen in bag ^nk, 1675
SSag n:ar eS, aU dn @treBen nur nad^ eu^?
©u^ fud^t' ic^ ein^ig auf bem SSeg beg 3^ul^mg,
Unb aU mein ^^rgelj n^ar nur melne l^leBe.
^ount i^r mlt mir eu^ in bleg ftltle Sijal
©Inf^Ik^en unb ber ©rbe @lan§ entfagen — 1680
D bann ift melneg 6trel)eng 31^^ gefunben.
Z)ann mag ber (Strom ber it)llb6etx)egten SBelt
5lng |!(^re Ufer blefer 23erge fd;lagen,
^eln flix^tlgeg SSerlangen ^aW id) mel^r
^Sinaug^ufenben In beg £eBeng SKelten* 1685
2)ann mogen blefe Selfen um ung l^er
©le unburc^brlngtlc^ fejie Si^auer Brelten,
Unb bleg i?erfd^Ioffne fel'ge X^al aMn
3um j§lmmel ofen unb gelic^tet feln I
25ert:^a,
3e|t U^ bu gang, n?ie blc^ mein a'^nenb *§erj 1690
©etrdumt, mic^ ^ai mein ©lauBe nlc^t Betrcgeul
01 u b e n §♦
ga^r' Jjin, bu eltler SBa^n, ber mlc^ ^et^ort!
3^ foU bag ©lixc! in melner «§elmat^ ftnben*
«gler, n:o ber ^nab^ fro^lld^ aufgeBlii^^t,
2Bo taufenb Sreubef^uren mlc^ umgeben, 1695
SSo atle dueUen mlr unb SBdume leBen,
3m SSaterlanb wlUft bu ble 3[^elne tx)erben!
3- Slufeug, 1. 6cene. 93
5td^, tro^I ^a'S' i^ eg jtet§ gelle'Bt! 3^ fulcra,
^S fe^Ite mir ju jebem ©lucf ber ^rbem
SS.ert^a.
aCo trdr' bie fePge Snfel aufjufinben, 1700
SBenn fte nic^t ^ler ifl, in ber Unf^ulb :^anb?
»gier, tro bie atte 5!reue ^eimif^ tro^t,
aSo ft* bie 5alfd):§eit no^ ntc^t ^^ingefunben ?
2)a triiBt !ein 0leib bie Ciuetle unferS ©liitfa,
Unb etrig ^etl entflie^en un3 bie 6tunben, 1705
— ^a fe^' id^ b i d^ im ec^ten SJ^dnnertrert'^,
Sen ^rjten i?on ben gteien unb ben ©leic^en,
W\i reiner, freier ^gutbigung i?ere:^rt,
®rof, trie ein «^omg n^irft in feinen 9leic^en»
91 u b e n 5.
©a fe'^' ic^ bic^, bie ^rone atter ffrauen, 17 10
5n weiBIic^ rei^enber ©efd^dftigfeit,
3n nieinem «§au§ ben »§immel mir er'Sauen
Unb, trie ber Srii^ling feine SStumen jireut,
W\i f^oner 5lnmut^ mir bag I^eBen f^nmtfen
Unb aUeg ringg WeBen unb :6egliic!en! 1715
23ert:^a.
®ie^, tl^eurer Sreunb, ttjarum i^ trauerte,
51IS i^ bieg l^oc^fte Seknggliitf bic^ fell^fi
3erfloren fa:^ — SBel^ mir ! SBie ftixnb'g um mic^,
SBenn ic^ bem floljen 9litter miif te fotgen,
©em !&anb^ebriitfer, auf fein ftnpreg (S^Io^ ! 1720
— ^ier ift fein ©d^Io^, 2^ic^ fd^eiben feine 2)^auern
SSon einem SSolf, bag ic^ :6egtricf"en fann!
01 u b e n §•
©0^ njte mi* retten — n^ie bie ®*Iinge lofen^
5)ie i* mir t:^ori*t felBft \\\\\% ^au^t gelegt?
94 2BiIf)elm Xell.
Serrei^e jte mit mdnnlid^em ©ntf^Iu^ ! 1725
3Bag aud^ braug irexbe — flel^' gu beinem SSoIf!
(£3 ijl bein angeBorner $Ia^»
(Sagb^^orner in ber gerne.)
5)ic 3agb
Jtommt nd^er — fort, n?ir miiffen fc^eiben — ^dm:i3fe
5ur^ QSaterlanb, bu fdm^ffl fur beine ^kU !
@3 ift cin Seinb, i?or bem irir aUe jittern, 1730
Unb eine Sreil^eit mac^t un^ atte freil
(®c^en aB.)
3)ritte ©cenc.
SSiefe bei Slltorf.
Stn SSorbcrgtunb ©duntc, in ber Xiefe ber §ut auf eincr ©tange.
2)cr $rofpect n)irb becjrcnjt burc^ ben S3annBevg, uber xod^tm tin
(Sd)ncegebirg empcrragt.
grief^arbt unb Seut^^olb fatten 2Bad^e.
grie^^arbt.
aBir ^a^m auf umfonji, ©g tritt f!c^ niemanb
ǤeranBegeBen unb bem Ȥut fein^ ^leijerenj
(Srjelgen. 'S war bo(5^ fonfl n?ie 3al^rmar!t ^ier;
Se^t ifl: ber gauge 5lnger trie ijerobet, 1735
©eitbem ber 5^o:pan§ auf ber <^tange ^dngt
l^eutl^olb.
01ur fc^Ied^t ©eflnbel Idgt f!^ fe^n unb fc^wingt
Hug jum SSerbrie^e bie gerlum^jten 2^vi^ett^
3- 2Iuf3ug, 3. Scene. 95
SBag xt^U ^tnU finb, bie mac^en lieBer
5) en langen Umireg um ben l^alBen Slecfen, 1740
©^' fie bj^n Stixcfen :6eugten t?or bem «§ut.
Jfriefl^arbt.
6ie muffen u'Ser biefen $Ia^, irenn fie
SSom dlat:^|)aug fommen um bie aJtittaggfiunbc^
^a meint^ ic^ f^on, ^nen guten Sang gu t^nn,
2)enn felner bad^te bran, ben ^ut ju grix^em 1745
2)a fte^t'g ber $faff, ber moffelmann — tarn iufi
33on einem ^ran!en l^er — unb fttUt ft^ l^ln
S^it bem ^oc^trurbigen, grab t»or bie <Stange —
^er @igrift mugte mit bem ©locflein fc^eHen,
5)a flelen atl' aufg ^nie, ic^ felber mit, 1750
Unb grii^ten bie 2Jionpranj, boc^ nic^t ben »§ut. —
Seutl^olb.
^ore, ©efett, e0 fdngt mir an ju bdud^ten,
SCBir jie^en ^ier am ^^ranger t)or bem *§ut;
^g i|l boc?^ ein @^im)3f ftir einen Oleiter^mann,
6^ilbn?a(^ ju pe^ t)or einem leeren «§ut — 1755-
Unb ieber recite «^erl muf un§ ijera^tem
^ie 9^et)erenj §u mac^en einem ^^ut,
— & ijl bo^, traun, ein ndrrifc^er 95efe^I I
— Srief^arbt.
SBarum nic^t einem leeren, l^o^Ien 'gut?
25uc!ji bu bic^ boc^ ijor man^em ^ol^Ien ©c^dbeL 1760
^ilbegarb, ^t^ttfil'o unb @ U b c t ^ treten auf mit ^iubern
unb jieHcn ji^ um bie ©tange.
liJeut^oIb.
Unb bu U^ auc^ [0 dn bienfifert'ger ®^urfe
Unb kdc^tefl voadxt ^mU gem ing Ungluct^
96 2BiI^cIm SeH.
SDJag, trer ba voiU, am ^ut ijoruBerge^n,
3c^ briicf' ble Qlugeit ju unb fe^' ni^t l^in^
SD^ec^tl^ilb.
®a l^dngt ber !^anbi?ogt — ^aBt S^ef:|3ect, il^r SBuktt! 1765
5lBotlt'0 ®ott, er glttg' unb Ile^' un6 feinen »§ut;
(S§ fotttc brum nic^t fc^Ie^ter pe^^n um^ Sanbl
g r i e ^ :^ a r b t (»erf(i^eu^t fic).
aGom i^r i?om $Ia^I SSewunf^teg SSoIf ber ^BeiBerl
SSer fragt nac^ euc^? (S(^i(ft eurc Scanner ^n,
SKenn fie ber SOiut:^ ^i^t, bem SBefe^l gu tro^en. 1770
(2BeiBer ge^en.)
X c n tntt ber SlrntBrujl tritt auf, ben ^naBen an ber §anb fMjrenb ;
fte getjen an bem ^nt sorbet gegen bie »orbere Scene, o^ne barauf
ju allien.
SBalt^er (getgt nad^ bem SBannSerg).
35ater ifi'0 ira^r, ba^ auf bent 35erge bort
fDie 33dume Gluten, n^enn man einen (Streic^
3)rauf ful^rte mit ber Qlrt —
5:eIL
SBer fagt bag, ^na^e?
SBalt^er.
^er 2J?eifler »girt er§d:§It'g — ^ie SBdume feien
©e^annt, fagt er, unb ttier fie fc^dbige, 1775
^em tt?ad^fe feine «§anb |)eraug §um ©ra^e*
^ell.
2)ie SBdume flnb ge^annt, baa ijt bie ^af)xf}dt
— <Bk^ft bu bie girnen bort, bie n^eif en Corner,
2)ie ^od^ Ha in ben Ǥimmel ftc^ ijerlieren?
3. SKufjug, 3. ©cene. 97
5)aS flttb bie ©letfc^er, bie beg S^ad^tg fo bonnern, 1780
Uttb un^ bie ©c^Iaglanjiuen nieberfenbeiu
^elL
<So ift'g, unb bie ;i^ati?inen l^dtten Idngji:
5)en Slecfen ^Itorf unter i^rer l^aft
2Serfd;ixttet, ttsenn ber 5Balb bort oBen ni^t
5110 eine Ji^anbn?e^r ftc^ bagegen jieHte* 1785
SOBaltl^er (na^ einigem S3efinnen).
©ibt'g )iJdnber, SSater, m nic^t SSerge ftnb?
SBenn man l^iuunter jieigt "oon unfern *§5^en
Unb immer tiefer jleigt, ben ©tromen nac^,
©elangt man in tin grogeg, eBneg i^anb,
SBo bie SKalbiraffer nicS^t me^r Braufenb fc^dumen, 1790
©ie Sliiffe ru^ig unb gemdc^U^ ^i^^n;
*£)a [iti)t man frei nac^ alien ^immel^rdumen,
2)ag i^orn voa^ft bort in langen fc^onen *2luen,
Unb wie ein ©arten ijl bag Sanb §u [c^auem
SBalt^er.
^i, SSater, n?arum fieigen njir benn nicS^t 1795
©efc^trinb ^inab in biefeg fc^one ^an^o,
®tatt ba^ voix ung :^ier dngfiigen unb )3lagen?
3:eIL
2)aS I^anb if! f^on unb giitig, n?ie ber Ǥimmel;
^0^, bie'g BeBauen, fie genie^en ni^t
©en ©egen, ben fie ^jflanjem
SBalt^er.
SBo^nen fte 1800
Sli^t frei, trie bu, auf i^rem eignen ©rk?
H
98 2Bia)elm Xai
^a8 &clb ge^ort bem SBifc^of xmb bem StbniQ.
(Bo burfen fte bod^ frei in ^Salbcrn jagen?
5)em «§errn get;5rt baS $BiIb unb ba0 ©efleber^
<©ie burfen boc^ frei fifc^en in bem ©trom? 1805
^eir.
5)er ©trom, bag 2)?eer, bag (Sal§ ge^ort bem ^5nig.
S©alt:^er»
SSer ijl ber ^onig benn, ben aUe fiird^ten?
^ell.
(Sg ijl ber (Sine, ber fte f^ii^t unb nafjxU
SSalt^er.
(©ie fonnen flc^ nic^t mut^ig felBjl kfd^ii|en?
^elL
^ort barf ber SRac^Bar ntct;t bem 0lac^^ar trauem 181 o
SKaltl^er.
S3ater, eg n^irb mir eng im njeiten l^anb;
^a n^o^n' ic^ liefer unter ben ]i^an:inen.
^elL
3a, iro^t ijl'g ^effer, ^inb, bie ©letfc^er^ergc
3m ^Mm ^aUn, aU bie :6ofen SHienf^en*
(@ie ir>oI{en »oruBergeljen.)
SCBaltl^er.
(5i, SSater, ftel^ ben ^nt bort auf ber ©tangc* 1815
3- Slufsug, 3. ©ccne. 99
2Ba§ fummcrt un6 bcr ^itt! »^omm, lag un§ gc'^en.
(Snbcm cr aBge'^cn h?Uf, tvitt t^m grieg'^arbt ntit vorgetjaltencr $ife
entcjegen.)
& r i c 5^ t; a r b t.
3n beg Jtaiferg Seamen ! ^alki an unb ftel^t !
3:cll (Qveift in bic $i!c).
ffiag troUt t:^r? SQarum ^altet i^r mic5^ auf?
grieg^arbt.
3^r fca^t'g 2^anbat tierle|t; i^r mugt un6 folgcn,
;[!eutl^oIb.
5!^r I;abt bem ^gut ntc^t Otetierenj Beanefen. ' 1820
greunb, lap mi^ ge^en.
5 r i e g ^ a r b t.
gort^ fort in§ ®efangni§J
5KaItl^er,
5)en 33ater tn§ ©efdngnig ! ^gulfe! ^ulfe!
(3n bic (Scene ntfenb.)
Ȥcrtjci, i^^r Scanner, gute ^eutc, l^elft !
©etralt! ©eiralt! fie fii^ren if)n gefangem
(Oioffclmann, ber 55farrer, mtb $etermann, ber (Sigrijl,
fommen I;cvbei, ntit brei anbern aWduncrn.)
©tgrip,
SSa§ gi^t'g?
Sloffelmann.
5Bag Icgj^ bu Ǥanb an biefen !Kann? 1825
griegl^arbt.
(5r if! ein &einb beg ^aiferg, ein SSerrdtT^er!
H 2
loo SBil^etm SclL
^ell (faft i^uMtts).
SRoffelmatttt*
5)u irrft bic^, greunb. 3)aS ifl
©er 3!etl, elu ©^reumann unb guter SBurger.
(erBIicft Saltier gurj!en unb tilt if^m entgcgen).
©xg^mUx, l^ilfl ©emalt gef^ie^t bem SSater.
Sriefl^arbt^
3nS ©efdngni^, fort!
SSalt^^et Surji fterbeieitcnb).
3^ leijle SBurgWaft l^altet! 1830
— Urn ©otteg n^itlen, ^eE, njag ift gef^el^en?
93?etd)t^at unb ©tauffac^cr tommtn*
SJrlef l^arbt.
2)eg Sanbijogtg oBer^errlic^e ©etralt
SSera^tet er, unb iriU fte nic^t erfenneiu
(Stauffa^er^
2)aa 1)atV ber ^ett get^an?
5)ag lugfl bu, 95uBe!
I^eut^^olb.
(Sr ^at bem •gut ni^t Sflei^erenj Benjiefeu. 1835
SBaltl^er gurj!.
Unb batum foil er in6 ©efdngnip? greunb,
0limm ntelne SBurgfc^aft an unb la^ il^n lebig*
Srie^^arbt,
3Burg^ bu fur bid^ unb beinen etgnen Mil
SCBir t^un, n?ag un[er0 5(mte0 — gort mit il^m !
3- ^lufaug/ 3-^'^^'^^- I'oi
SOi^eli^tt^al Gu ben Sanbleutcn).
0lem, ba0 ijl fc^reienbe ©etralt! (Srtragen n^ir'g, 1840
2)a^ man i^tt fortfu:^rt, frec^, ijor uitfern Qtugen?
6 i g r i fl,
5iBir f!nb bie (Stdrfern. Sreunbe, bulbet'g nic^t!
SBir l^aBen cinen 3^uc!en an ben anbetn,
g^rief :^arbt
SBer njiberfe^t fic^ bem SSefe^I beS SSogtg ?
01od^ brei i^anblcute (^erBeiellenb).
®ir ^clfen euc^. SBa^ giBt'^ ? ©d^Iagt fie gu 35oben. 1845
(§i(begarb, 3?^cc^t^ilb unb (Sl^Betl^ fcmmen jurutf.)
^elL
3c^ l^^elfe mir fd;on felBfl. ®c^t, Qute ^mU,
Wldnt \i)x, vomn id) bie ^raft gekaud^en n:oIlte,
3c3^ njutbe mid^ i?or i^ren ©^tegen furd;ten?
3)^el(^t:^al (gu grief §arbt).
SBag'g, i'^n auS unfrer S^^itte ireggufiil^ren !
SSatt^er Surfl unb ©tauffac^er*
©elaffenl aiu^ig!
ffricf^arbt (Wreit).
^(ufrul^r unb ®m)3orung! 1850
(Wlan f)6xt Sagb^orner.)
SBeiBer*
3)a fommt ber SanbtJogt!
5 r i e p 1^ a r b t (er^eBt bie ©timnte).
SUteuterei! ^m))orung!
©tauffacS^en
©^rei, Big bu kx\t^% ©d^urfe!
loz ^il5ill}clm %ai
Otoffelmann nub Wltl^i^aL
mU^ bu [cJ^iijeiBeu ?
Srte^l^arbt (ruft nc^ (auter).
3u ^ulf, in ^ixlf ben ^ienern bea ®e[e§e0!
^a ifl ber 3Sogt ! 2Be^' ung, voa^ tvirb baa trerben !
©e^lcr in ^fcrb, ben 5«Iffn auf ber Saujl, Oiubol|)^ ber
^arra^, S3ert^a unb Oi u b e n j, ein gro^e^ ©efclgc »cu
bewajfneten ^nec^ten, tt?elc^e eitien ^rei^ vcn $i!en um bic gan^e
€cenc f(^Uefen.
Oiubol^^ ber ^arrae*
q3ta^, $Ia^ bem Sanbijogt!
© e p I e r*
^reiBt f!e au6einanber! 1855
$Ba0 lauft ba3 SSoI! ^ufammen? ^er ruft ^itlfe?
(5l%meine (Stitte.)
3Ber n:ar'0? 3^ wiU eg n?iffen»
(3u griefljarbt.)
2)u trltt ijorl
©er 5l|l bu, unb voa^ ^altft bu biefen 2)knn?
(@r gibt ben Sal!en einem 2)iener.)
^-^" Srle^^arbt.
©ejtrenger *§err, \6) t»in bein SBaffenfnec^t
Unb njo^lBeftetlter SBd^ter f>ei bem Ǥut. i860
biefen 3)?ann ergriff i^ uBer frif^er Vi)<xi,
SBie er bem «gut ben ©^rengrug i^erfagte*
3}er^aften troUt' ic^ SS^jXi, trie bu Befa^^lft,
Unb mi ©cwatt njitt i^n bag SSolf entreifcn^
3- Slufjug, 3. Scene. 103
© e ^ I e r (na^ ciner 5^aufe).
SSerad^tefl bu fo beinen Jtalfer, ^ett, 1865
Unb mic^, ber ^n an feiner <Btati geBletet,
2)a^ bu bie d^x' t>erfag|l bent ^nt, ben i^
3ur $rufung be0 ©e^orfamg aufge^angen? ^^
2)ein 6i)[e0 ^rac^ten l^ajl bu mir oerrat^em
33erjei'^t mir, lieBer «§etr! 5lu§ UnSebad^t, 1870
SRic^t aug QSerac^tung eurer ifl'^ gefc^e^;
ffidr' ic^ Befonnen, l^ie^' ic^ nic^t ber ^ett.
3c^ Bltt' unt ©nab', eg foil nic^t me^^r Begegnen.
©e^Ier (na(^ einiQem ^StUtfc^imgen).
2)u Bift ein SJieij^er auf ber ^^IrniBrufl, ^eU,
SD^an fagt, bu ne^m'fl eg auf mit jebem S^u^en? 1875
SBalt^er ^elL
Unb 'tia^ mu^ n^a^r fein, Ǥerr, 'nen ^^fet fc^iept
2)er 23ater bir 3?om 23aum auf l^unbert ©c^rittc*
©e^Ier.
3)1 bag bein ^naBe, ^eU?
3a, lieBer «5crr*
© e f I e r.
^aft bu ber Jtinber me'^r?
^elL
Qvod JtnaBen, »§crr»
©e^ler,
Unb wetter ijt'g, ben bu am meijlen lieBjt? 1880
^elL
Ǥerr, Beibe itnb fie mlr gleic^ UeBe Jtinber*
I04 SBiIf)eIm Sell.
dlnn, %tUl mdl bu ben ^l^fel trifffi i?om 33autne
5luf l^unbert <S^xiit, fo trirft bu beine ^unfi
5Sor mir Bet)^dl;ren muffen. 0limm bte ^rmBruft —
2)u l^afl fte gleid^ §ur ^ganb — unb mac^' bi^ fertig, 1885
bitten ^Met i?on beg JtnaBen Jlo^f j^u [c^iegen —
5)o(^, iritl i(^ ratten, jiele gut, baf bu
5)en ^:pfel treffeft auf ben erften ©c^u^;
2)enn fe^Ijt bu i^n, fo ift beitt .^o^f i?erIoren.
(5ltte gcben Bet^en beg ©d^reden^.)
:^eIL
^err — ti^elc^eg Unge!)eure flnnet i:^r 1890
SH^ir an ? — 3c^ foU ijont »§au^te tneine0 JtinbeS —
— 01etn, ttein bocf;, lieBer ^nx, baa fomntt end; ni^t
3u <Sinn — 33er^ut'g ber gndb'ge ®ott — 2)aa !onnt il;r
3m (Stnjl t)on einem 35ater nicf;t ^ege^ren!
''^' ©e^Ier.
5)u trirft ben Ql^fel fc^ie^en i?on bem Jto^f 1895
2)ea ^na^en — ic^ bege^r'g unb njiU'g,
^elL
3^ [on
Wit nieiner 5lrmBrufl auf bag lietje »gau:^t
5)ea eignen ,^inbeg gielen ? ©^er jterl?' 1(5^ !
©efler,
^u f^lefefi ober fitr6|l mit beinem ^natem
^eir.
3d) fotl ber SO^orbet n?erben nteineg ^inbS! 1900
»gerr, i^r ^aU feme ,^inber — tviffet nicS^t,
3Saa fid; t)ea^ei3t in eineg SSatetS ^erjen^
3- Slufsug, 3. ©cenc. 105
©e^Ier.
(Si, ^etl, bu Bij! fa )?I5^Iic^ fo kfonncn!
ai'^an fagte niir, ba^ bu ein ^rdumer feifl
Unb blc^ entfernft t)on anbrer 2)Zenf(^en SBeife. 1905
2)u Ikhft ba§ ©ettfame — brum 'i)aV i^ je^t
©in eigen SBagflit^ fiir bid^ au^gefud^t.
(Sin anbrer voo^ Bebdd^te fic^ — bu brutfjl
®ie Qtugen gu, unb grelfjl eg ^erj^aft an.
Sert^a.
<S(^erjt ntd^t, Ǥerr, nut biefen armen !i^eutenl 1910
3^r fe^t fte Bleic^ unb gitternb fte^n — fo n^enig
6inb fte ,^ur^n:eilg getro^nt aug eurem 2)iunbe.
© e 5 1 e r»
SiBer fagt euc^, ba^ ic^ fc^^tje?
(©reift na^ eiuem SSaumjtveige, ber uBer i^n ^ert)dngt )
^ier ift ber ^p^th
Wlan mac^e Olaum — er ne^me feine 2Beite,
33ie'g SBrauc^ iji — ac^tgig ©^rltte geB' id^ il^m — 19 15
dli^t ttjeniger, noc^ me^r — ©r rfi^mte ft^,
-5Iuf i^rer ^unbert feinen 2^ann ^u treffen —
Sefet, ed^ule, triff, unb fe^lc ni^t bag 3iel !
Olubol:|3l^ ber «§arra§.
®ott, bag ujirb ernfl^aft — SaUe nieber, ^mU,
@g gitt, unb flet/ ben !&anbi^ogt urn bein ^^Unl 1920
SBaltl^er ffurfi
(Beifeite gn SJJetc^t^al, ber !aum feine Ungebulb Bejn?ingt).
*§altet an eu(^, ic^ fte^' eucS^ brum, UdU ru^ig!
SBert^^a Gum Sanbuogt).
^a^t eg genug fein, «gerrl Unmenfc^Uc^ iji'g^
io5 SSilfjelm Xai
Wit eine6 ©aterg Qlngjt alfo ju f^neleiu
SBeim biefer arme 3[)Zann auc^ Mh unb l^eBen
3Senx)irft burc^ feine leicfete (^c^utb, Bei ©otti 192$
^r l^citte ie^t j^e^nfad^en ^ob em:pfunbeu»
^ntla^t i^n ungefrdnft in feine ^utte,
(5r ^at euc^ fennen lerneii; biefer @tunbe
SBirb er unb feine .^inbe^finber benfen^
(Seller.
Deffnet bie ©affe — Srifc^, \va^ ^auberfl bu ? 1930
2)ein !^eBen tft ^mmxtt, ic^ fann bi(^ tubten,
Unb fte^, ic^ lege gncibig bein ©efc^id
3n beine eigne, funftgeiiSte '^an^.
2)er fann ni^t flagen uUx I;arten ©pru(^,
5)en man ^um S^eifter feine^ 6c^itffal^ inacl;t 1935
2)u xui)m]t bic^ beineg fid;ern mid^. 2Bo^tari I
^ier gilt eg, @c^ii^e, beine ^unf^ ju ^eigen;
2)a§ 3i^^ i]^ iciirbig, unb ber $rei0 ifl grog*
2)aa 6c^amr^e treffen in ber 6d;ei6e, baS
^ann an(^ ein anbrer; ber ift mir ber ^d\ttx, 1940
2)er feiner t^unfl genjtg ift iiBeraU,
^em 'S ^erj ni^t in bie ^Sanb tritt no^ ing Qluge.
SSaltt)er ffiirft (mrft ft^ ^or i(;m nieber).
Ǥerr !^anbt)ogt, n:ir erfennen eure ^o^eit;
5)oc^ laffet ^xml)' fiir Oiec^t erge^en! 01el;mt
^ie «galfte meiner ^aBe, ne^^mt fte gan^, 1945
0lur biefeg ©raglic^e eriaffet einem 33ater!
Saltier ^elL
®ro^i?ater, fnie' nic^t i?or bem falfc^en SJ^ann!
(BaQt, njo ic^ ^inpe^n \oU. 3c^ fiir^t' mid^ nid)t
5)er 33ater trifft ben 33ogel ia im Slug,
@r njirb nic^t fe^len auf ^a^ ^er^ be^ ^inbeg* 1950
3- Sluf^ug, 3. Scene. 107
©tauffa^er.
Ȥerr !^anbt>ogt, ru^tt eu^ nic^t M JtinbeS Unfd^ulb?
S^5 f f elm a nn.
D benfet, bag ein @ott im ^immet iji,
©em i^r miipt Sit'o^ fle^n fiir eure ^^atett.
® e f I e r (jeigt auf ben ,^naben)*
^an Binb' i^^n an bie !^inbe bort!
SBalt^er ^elL
Wxd) !)inben!
0lem, i^ ttjitt ni^t geBunben [ein. 3^ ii:itt 1955
(BiiU fallen trie ein )^amm, unb ai:c^ nid^t at^men.
$Benn it)r mic^ Binbet, neln, fo !ann i^'0 nic^t,
(So trevb' i^ toBen QCQm meine 35anbe.
Olubol^^ ber <§arra6.
2)ie 5tugen nur lag bir t>erBinben, ^mk I
SBalt^er ^elL
5Karum bie ^lu^eu? 2)en!et i"^r, ic^ fiird;te i960
2)en $feil i?on 3Saterg ^anb? 3^ irid i^n fejl
(Srtratten unb nic^t jutfen mit ben SKim^ern.
— i^xi\d), SSater, ^eig'g, bag bu ein ©cl;ii^e :6ijl I
@r glauBt bir'^ nic^t, er benft m\^ 311 t>erber6en —
2)em ^Biit^rid^ jum SSerbruffe fd^ieg iinb trijf! 1965
(@r Qe^^t an bie Siube, man legt i^m ben 5lpfet auf.)
2)Zetc^t^aI (ju ben Sanbreuten).
ffiag? ©on ber greijet fld^ i?or unfern ^tugen
QSottenben? ffioju ^aSen trir gef^n:oren?
©tauffac^er.
(56 ij! umfonft. 5Bir t)aBcn feine SBaffen;
3^r fe^t ben SBalb t>on l^anjen urn una ^er.
io8 aSil^elm SielL
D, l^dtten trlr^f titit frifc^er Xf)at t>oUenbct! 1970
^Serjei^'g ®oit benen, bie jam Qluffc^uS rietl^m!
©e^Ier Gum Xdi).
^tt6 SBer!I S^an fu^rt ble SSaffen ulc^t i?erge^en§.
@efdl^rli(^ iji'g, eln Si^orbgen^e^r gu tragen,
Unb auf ben 6d^u|en f^ringt ber $fell jurucf^
^iea ftolje 3^ec^t, ba0 f!c!^ ber 25auer ntmmt, 1975
SBeleibiget ben l^od^ften 'germ bea li^anbeS.
@en?affnet fei niemanb, alS n?er geBietet*
ffreut'g cnc^, ben $felt ju fuljren unb ben SBogen,
^0% fo n?itt ic^ bag 3i^I ^^^ j^^qU geben.
^ell
(fpannt bie SlrmBvuj! unb (egt ben $feil auf).
Deffitet bie ©ajfel q]Ia^! 1980
<Stauffa^er,
5[8ag, ^ea? 3^r n^otltet — 0limmerme:^r — 3^r gittert,
2)ie «ganb erBebt eu^, eure Rnm iranfen —
5: e n (la^t bie SlrmBrufl ixnfcn).
3}?ir fc^tijimmt eg i?or ben Qtugen!
aSeiBer,
®olt im ^immel!
S^ell Gum Sanbvogt).
©riajfet niir ben 6^u^. »§ier ifl mein ^er^I
(@r reift bie Srujl auf.)
dinft eure 0leif!gen unb [top mi^ nieberl 1985
©egler.
3^ voiU bein SeBen nid^t, i^ n^itt ben ©c^u^.
— J)u fann|l ja aUeg, 5!e(l, an ni^tg i^er^agft bu ;
3- ^^^m^ 3' Scene. 109
S)a0 (^teuettuber fu^tji bu trie ben SBogen,
2)ic^ fd^rcdt !eln <Sturm, inenn e0.ju retten i3ilt
3e|t, Otetter, :^ilf bir felBft — bu retteji atle I 1990
(XcK jlcl)t in fut(i^tcrtid^em ^am^f, mit ben J&dnbcn gucfenb irnb
bie ronenben Slugett balb auf ben Sanb»ogt balb jum §imme(
geric^tet. — ^'lo^lic^ grcift er in feinen ^oc^er, nimmt einen gmeiten
$feil :^erau^ unb |iccft H)n in feinen ©oHer. S)er l^antvojt bemerft
alie biefe ^eitjegungen.)
^alt^tx ^cU (unter ber Sinbc).
SSater, f^ie§ jul 3^ fittest' mic^ nid^t.
^§ im^l
((Sr rafft fi^ gufamnten unb (egt an.)
9tubeng
(ber bie ganjc Beit uBcr in ber Ijeftigficn (S^annung gejlanben unb
mit @en)alt an fi^ getjalten, tritt l^ervor). '~~
§etr li^anbtJogt, tneiter trerbet i1)x'^ ni^t trei^en,
3^r tcerbet n i (^ t — ©g trar nur eine ^riifung —
2)en Qvotd ^aU i^r erteic^t — Qn mit getrieBen
3Serfe^U bie ^trenge i^re3 treifeti 3^^^^/ 1995
Unb atljuftraff gef:pannt gerf^ringt ber 23ogen»
©efler.
3^r fi^treigt, U^ man euc^ aufruft
91 u b e n §.
3^ trill reben,
3^ barfs ! S)e6 ^onigg ©^re ift mir l^eilig;
2)0^ folc^eg Otegiment mu^ ^a^ ertrerBen*
2)ag i|t beg ^onig6 SBiUe nic^t — ic^ barf 3 2000
SBe^aui^ten — ^ot^e @raufam!eit rerbient
SD^ein SSoI! ni^t; baju ^<xU xi)x feine ^oUma^t
©e^len
^a, i^x erfii'^nt eud^l
no 2BiI{)elm 2:en.
01 II b e n §♦
3u aUm fd^mrcn ^akn, bic ic^ fal^;
9J?ein [et)enb Qluge l^aB' id^ ^ugefd)Ioffen, 2005
Winn uBerfc^treHenb unb em:j35rte§ ^erj
^aB' i^ l^ina^gebriidEt in ntetnen ©ufen,
2)0^ Idnger ((^n^eigen irdr' 33errat^ S^tgleic^
5(n mcinem ^aterlanb unb an bem ,^aifer.
SSertl^a
(n)irft fi(^ gtinfd}en i^n wnb ben Sanbvogt).
D ®dtt, U;r rei^t ben 5ButI;enben noc^ mel;i\ 2010
Oluben^.
!Dteln ffiolf t>erlie§ id), nicincn 25Iut0J?ern^anbten
(gntfagf x^, aUt SSanbe ber S^atur
3erri^ id), urn an euc^ mic^ anjufdjiief en —
5)ag 23efle atler glauBt' id^ gu :6eforbern,
2)a ic^ beg Jlaiferg ma^t Befeftigte — 2015
!£)ie SSinbe fdUt i?on nteinen ^ugen — 6d;aubernb
(Se^' id^ an elnen Q(6c5runb mi^ gefu^rt —
^dn freteS Urtl^eil l^aSt i:^r irr geteitet,
9J?ein reblic^ «§erj t>erfii^rt — i^ trar baran,
Wldn SSoI! in Befter 2}teinung ju i^erberBem 2020
©e^Ier.
93ern?egner, biefe (^^rac^e beinem Ǥerrn?
01 u b e n J,
5)er t^aifer ift mein ^err, nid^t ii)x — 5rei Bin i^
Sffiie il;r geBoren, unb ic^ meffe mi^
S^it eud^ in jeber tttterlid^en ^ugenb.
Unb flitnbet ii)x nid^t I;ier in ,^aifer0 CRamen, 2025
S)en ic^ tiere^re, felBft tro man i|n fd^dnbet,
3- Slufjug, 3. Scene. 11 1
©en ^anbfd^u^ n:drf' ic^ i?or end) ^in, \i)x foUtet
Dlac^ ritterlic^em SBtanc^ ntir ^(nttrort gekn.
— 3a, mnfi mx enten Oieificjen — 3c^ pel^e
^i^t tre^rIo§ ba, n?ie b i e —
(5luf ba^ SSoIf jetcjenb.)
3c^ ^aB' ein ©c^irert, 2030
Unb njer mlr na^t —
etanffac^er (ruft).
2)er ^l^fel ift gefaUen!
C3nbem fi^ aUe nad^ bicfer €cite (ie\i3enbet, unb S3crt^a gnnfdf>en
(Rubeng unt ben SanbwoQt fic^ gewcrfen, f)at XeK ben 5>feil ai^cbrucft.)
Oloffelmann.
5)er ^nal-^e Ie6t I
SSiele <Stimmen.
©er ^^fel ift getroffcnl
(SBalt^er Jutj! fd^\t?an!t unb brcl)t gu fmfen, ^Bert'^a l^att ir)n.)
©eg let (erfiaunt).
^r ^at gefd^ojfen? SKie? ©er Slafenbel
SB e r t ^ a.
©er ^na:6e leBt! ^ommt ^n enc^, gnter SSaterl
SSalt^er ^ell
(!ontmt ntit bcm 5l^fel gefprnn^en).
SSater, l^ier ift ber ^Ipfel — SGBngt' ic^'^ ia, 1035
©u njiitbeft beinen JlnaBen nic^t i^erle^en.
^lell
(jianb ntit ttorgcBcgcnent SciBe, aU tccUV er bent 5^fetle fcTcjen —
bie Slvntbtuj^ entfinft feiner ^anb — n?ie er ben ^uaben fommen fie()t,
eilt er tf)nt ntit au^gebveiteten airmen entgegen nnb I)ebt ifjn ntit
l^eftiger Snbrunjl ju feinent §erjen tjinauf ; in biefer ^teKunfi jinft er
fraftlo^ jufantnten. SlHe fte^en geru^rt).
iia SBil^elm 3;etf.
2BaU|>er Surft (ju SSater unb <So^n).
«^lnber ! meine ,^inber !
@tauffa(^er*
®ott fel getoBtl
)i^eut^oIb.
^ag trar ein @c^u§! ^at)on
2Birb man noc^ reben in ben [)3dtjlen QdUn,
OiuboI:p^ ber Ǥarrag.
(grjd^^Ien trtrb man i?on bem @d;u^en XtU, 2040
60 lang bie SBerge fte^n auf U;rem ©runbe,
(Oieic^t bem Satib^ogt ben Slpfet.)
©e^ler.
S3el ®ott, ber Ql))fel mitten bur^ gef^offen!
©g wax ein SD^eifterfc^ug, ic^ mu^ il;n lokn*
Oioffelmann.
2)er (Sd^u^ voax gut; boc^ n^e^e bem, ber ii)xi
2)aju getrieben, baj^ er ®ott i^erfuc^te! 2045
©tauffac^er*
^ommt ju eud^, %tU, fte^t auf, il)r ^a^t euc^ mdnnlici^
®db% unb frei fount i^r na^ ^aufe ge^em
01 of [elm a nm
t^ommt, fommt unb Ijringt ber WntUx i^ren ©o-^nl
(6ie tocKen i^n toegfu^ren.)
©e^Ier.
%^U, l^ore !
5$!en (fommt ^urucf),
SCBag kfe^tt i^r, ^err?
©e^er,
2)u ftetftefl
^0^ einen jn^elten ^^feit ju blr — 3a, ja, 2050
^d) fa^ e§ iDO^I — SSag melntep bu bamit?
3- Slufjug, 3. Scene. 113
3!ell (ttertefien).
<gerr, ba3 ijl alfo Brduci^lic^ Bei ben 6(6u|ett.
S^eltt, ^^ett, ble 2tnttt?ort la$ i^ bit nid^t getteu;
& ttjirb irag anbreg tro^I Bebeutet :^a6ett*
@ag' mir bie ^aijx^tit frtfc^ unb fro^Iic^, ^ett; 2055
$Ba6 eg aud^ fei, bein ^^eBen flc^r' ic^ bir.
^CBoju ber gweite $feil?
5$:en.
SBo^Ian, ^gerr,
9Beil i'^r mid^ memeg SeBeng l^aBt geftc^ert,
(^0 tritt id^ euc& bie ffia^r^eit grunbli^ fagen,
(@r jic^t ben $feU au^ bcm ©oKcr unb fte^t ben Sanbttcgt mit
einem furc^tbaren S3(icf an.)
SD'^it biefem gweiten $feil burc^fc^o^ i^ — e u c^, 2060
SBenn i^ mein lieBeg ^inb getrofen ^atk,
Unb eurer — voai)xli^, i)atV i^ nid^t gefe^It*
©egler.
So^I, ^etl! be0 !i!eBeng i^ab' id^ bid^ geftc^ert,
3d^ gaB mein 9littern?ort, baa n^itt id^ ^alten — •
2)0^ njeil ic^ beinen Bofen ®inn erfannt, 2065
ffiitt i^ bic^ fix^ren laffen unb ijernja^ren,
So ireber 2)Zonb nod^ 6onne bic^ Befc^eint;
I)amit x^ fidget fei tior beinen ^^feilen.
(Stgreift i^n, ^nec^te! SBinbet xijnl
(Xili wirb geBunben.)
©tauffa^er*
aSie, «gerr?
©0 !5nntet i^r an einem SD'^anne l^anbetn, 2070
Qln bem fi^ ©otteg »§anb flc^tBar i?erf dnbigt ?
©efler.
8ap [e^n, 06 (le ifen ^weimat retten itirb.
I
114 SBil^cIm Zai '
— ^an MnQ^ i^n anf ntein ^c^iff ! 3^ fotgc naC^
9ft off elm ann.
2)a§ biirft i^r ni^i, ba^ barf ber ^aifer nid^t, 2075
2)aS txiiberftreltet unfern ffrei^eit^Briefen !
©e^Icr.
2Bo ftnb fie? ^ai ber ^aifer fie Beftdtigt?
(Sr l^at fte nid^t Beftdtigt — biefe @unft
Wln^ erft ertrorBen trerben bur^ ©e^orfam,
OleBetlen fcib i^r aUe gegen Jlaiferg 2080
©eri^t unb nd^^rt i^erti^egene ^m^orung.
3(^ !entt' eucf; atte — i^ burc^fd^au' end) ganj —
2) en ne^^m ic^ Je^t ^eraua aug eurer 93^itte;
^o(^ atle feib i^r f^elttjaft feiner <S(^uIb.
^er !Iug ift, lerne fd)welgeu unb ge^or^em 2085
(@r entfernt [i^, 33ertt)a, Oluben^, §arrag unb ^^ncc^te folgeu, griefs
Ijarbt unb l^eutt)clb bleiben juriic!.)
SKalt^er giirft (in I)ef%m e^mcrg).
@g ift i:)or13ei; er l^at'S Befc^^loffen, mi(^
S^iit ttteinem ganjen ^aufe gu t)erberBen!
(Stauffa^er (jnm ^eK).
D, voaxum mn^tet i^r ben ^ut^ri^ reijeni
^elL
1^ SBe§n?inge fl^, trer meinen ©d^merj gefu^It 1
©tauffa^er,
D, nun t|i atle§, atleg ^in! S[)?it euc^ 2090
(Sinb ttjir gefeffelt atle unb geSunben!
lU n b I e u t e (umringcu ben %tU).
Wit mdj ge^t unfer letter 2!rofl ba^^in!
3'8lufa^g, 3. Scene. 115
)[^ e u 1 1} 1 b (nd^ert fid^).
XtU, eS er^armt mic^ — bod; ic^ mu^ gel^orc^en.
^ell.
Mt irot;I!
2BaItl;er XtU
(ji(^ mit l^cftigent ©d^mcr^ an i^n f^miegcnb).
D 3Sater! SSater! !^ieBer SSater 1
(l^cbt tie 5lrmc gum §immel).
2:;ort broBen ift bein 33ater ! 2)cn ruf an ! 2095
(^tauffad)er.
ileU, fag^ i^ eurem SBeiSe nid^tg i?on euc^?
(^eBt ben .^naBen ntit Snnbrunfl an fcinc S3ru(l).
2)er Mnah' ift unijerlegt, mtr irirb ®ott l;elfcn.
(OJeigt jtc!^ fd^nea to3 unb fclgt ben SBaffenfnec^ten).
I 2
ARGUMENT.
ACT IV.
The opening scene of the fourth act is laid amidst the wild
scenery of the shores of the Lake of Lucerne. A thunder-
storm is coming up. Kunz von Gersau tells the fisherman
and his son what had occurred at Altorf, and that Tell was
being carried in the Governor's ship as a prisoner to Kiissnacht.
This news, and the tidings that the Baron von Attinghausen
was on the point of death, greatly saddened the fisherman.
Kunz leaves to seek quarters in the village, the storm not
allowing his departure, and while the fisherman, in a wild
outburst of despair, expresses his horror at the violent deeds
of Gessler, bells are heard ringing on a mountain. This
is an admonition, the boy thinks, to the devout to pray for
some vessel seen in distress, and ascending a rock he descries
a ship bearing down from Fliielen. He soon recognises it as
the vessel of the Governor of Uri, and prays for its safety —
not for Gessler's sake, but for Tell's, who is on board. The
ship being driven by the wind under the great Axenberg, is lost
to sight, and the fisherman fears she will be wrecked on the
dangerous Hackmesser. * Tell alone,* he exclaims, * is the man
who could save the bark, but he is bound hand and foot.'
Suddenly Tell appears on the scene in great agitation,
throwing himself upon his knees and stretching out his hands
towards heaven. Recognised by the fisherman he gives a
vivid account of his marvellous escape from the ship, and
although the former implores him to conceal himself with-
out delay, he is bent on going to Kiissnacht. Having begged
the fisherman, who is one of those who had taken the oath at
the Rutli, to bear the news of his deliverance to his wife, Tell
indicates by some significant expressions that he harbours a
great design in his mind, and retires, accompanied by the
ARGUMENT. II J
fisherman's son, who is to show him the nearest way to Kiiss-
nacht.
The second scene passes in the baronial mansion of Atting-
hausen. The Baron, who lies dying in his arm-chair, is sur-
rounded by Walther Fiirst, StaufFacher, Melchthal, and
Baumgarten. Teirs boy, Walther, kneels before the dying
man. Walther Fiirst thinks that he has breathed his last, but
he is only plunged into a calm sleep, which is now watched by
his anxious friends. In the meantime Tell's wife forces her
way into the room. She embraces her child, so miraculously
saved, with tender emotion, and gives vent, first to her feelings
of indignation against Tell for aiming an arrow at his boy's
head, and then to bitter reproaches against those present for
patiently standing by, when her husband, the ready protector
of oppressed innocence, was dragged away a prisoner.
Now the Baron awakes, and anxiously asks for his nephew
Rudenz, whom he wishes to bless before he dies. The
dying man is cheered by the announcement that his nephew
has spoken like a hero for his native country, and that the
three cantons have concluded a league * to drive the tyrants
from the land.' The Baron pronounces a solemn blessing
on the head of Walther Tell, and a prophetic utterance
as to the future deliverance of their native country, and
expires amidst his sorrowing friends. Their calm sorrow
is interrupted by the sudden appearance of Rudenz, who
rushes in to receive the blessing of his uncle. When he
sees that he has arrived too late, he loudly expresses his
grief, and solemnly avows that he will abjure henceforth
all alien ties, and for ever devote himself to the cause of
his country. He tells his countrymen that he is aware of
the league they have formed on the Riitli, and that they
did wrong in putting off the rising of the country. Tell
had already fallen a victim to their delay, and even Bertha
von Bruneck had been kidnapped by the vile tools of their
country's oppressor. Rudenz now implores their help for
her deliverance, and the citizens resolve to proceed to action
Il8 ARGUMENT,
without any delay, and to undertake the rising under his
command.
The scene now changes to the pass near Kussnacht. Rocks
rise all round. Tell enters and expresses in a soliloquy his
unalterable determination to take the life of Gessler in order
to protect his wife and children from the rage of the
Governor, and at the same time his regret at being driven to
commit an action which his peaceful nature abhors. Whilst
he is musing mournfully on his design, lively music is heard in
the distance, which comes gradually nearer. Shortly after, a
marriage train appears and proceeds up the pass. Whilst he
is gazing at the spectacle, which forms such a striking contrast
with his own mood, he is joined by Stiissi, the watchman of
the fields, who bids him banish any cares which may oppress ,
his heart, and join the wedding feast at Kiissnacht. *The
times are gloomy now,' says Stiissi, *and strange events
are reported from all sides, which are considered to bode dis-
aster to the country.' He bids Tell farewell, and recognising
in him a man of Uri, he makes the passing remark that the
Governor of that Canton is expected there to-day, but a
traveller who happens to pass by informs them that they
must not expect the Governor that day, the floods caused by
the storm having swept away all the bridges. This news
seems to alarm the peasant woman Armgard, who now comes
forward declaring that her intention was to wait for the
Governor in the pass, since he could not escape her there.
Gessler, however, is coming after all. Friesshard announces
his arrival, and summons the people to make way for him.
Whilst Armgard goes down the pass, the Governor and Ru-
dolph der Harras appear upon the heights on horseback.
Tell has in the meantime disappeared, and after a short con-
versation between Stiissi and Friesshardt, Gessler and Ru-
dolph der Harras enter on horseback. The Governor
declares his firm intention to adhere to his strict rule and to
assist the Imperial House of Habsburg in reducing the ' petty
nation' to subjection. The two knights are about to pass on,
ARGUMENT. II9
when Armgard throws herself before Gessler, imploring his
mercy on behalf of her imprisoned husband. Rudolph der
Harras intercedes with the Governor in her favour, and
endeavours to persuade the poor woman to make room for
the latter and to bring her suit to the castle. The despair-
ing woman, however, heeds neither entreaties nor threats, and
throws herself and her children before Gessler, vehemently-
demanding from him justice for her husband. The Governor
in answer asks where his servants are, that they may free the
passage ; but Rudolph explains that they cannot do so, the
pass being blocked up by a marriage party. Gessler now
declares his determination to * crush the spirit of liberty within
the Swiss,' and at the moment when he is about to give
expression to the new rigorous measures he intends to in-
troduce, an arrow suddenly strikes his breast. Armgard
exclaims that he has been shot through the heart, and Ru-
dolph, springing from his horse, admonishes him to commend
his soul to God as a dying man. *That shot was Tell's!*
Gessler cries out, and drops from his horse into Rudolph's
arms. Tell appears upon the rocks, and proclaiming his deed
declares that henceforth the country will be free, and inno-
cence secure from the tyrant. The music of the returning
marriage party continues, but is suddenly stopped by com-
mand of Rudolph.
Gessler betrays his passionate temper even amidst the ago-
nies of death, while Armgard points him out to her children
that they should see *how a tyrant dies.* Rudolph der
Harras asks those round him to help him to pull out the
torturing arrow from Gessler's breast, and on receiving a pro-
voking reply draws his sword. But Stussi seizes his arm,
declaring that they will brook no violence now, the country
being free! The people join in the cry, *The country is
free ;* and as Rudolph der Harras is going out with the
soldiers to secure for the King the fortress of Kiissnacht, six
monks of the Order of Mercy appear, singing in solemn tones
a funeral dirge over the dead body.
SSierter Slufjug.
(Srfte ©cene.
DejlUd^eg Ufer be^ aSiertijalbjldtterfee^.
2)ic fettfam gcflattctcn fd^roffen ??ctfcn im SKeflcn fc^tiegcn ben
^rof^ect. S)er @ee ijl bemegt, ^eftiqcg Oiaufd^en unb Xofen, ba^
gn)ifc^en ^li^e unb 2)onnevfc^ld9e.
^ung »on ©crfau. Sif(^cr unb gif^erfnabe.
3c^ fa^'S mit 5lugen an, i^r Bnnt tnlr'S glauBen;
Sifter.
2)er ^eH gcfvingen a^gcfu^rt na^ ^u^nac^t, 2100
^er U\tt SD^ann im £anb, ber Brat>fie Qlrm,
ffienn'g einmal gelten fotlte fur bie ffrei^eit.
^unj.
2)er )^anbi?ogt fu^rt i^tt felBfl ben <^ee l^erauf;
(Sie iraren eSen bran, fi(^ einjuf^ifen,
Q(t0 ic^ t>on S^luelen a6fu^r; boc^ ber @turm, 2105
5)er eBen ie^t im 5ln^ug ift, unb ber
^u^ mid^ gejnjungen eilenbg i)ier ^u lanben,
9[)?ag i^re 5l6fa^rt njo^I i>er^inbert l^aBem
gifc^er.
S^er %tU in ffeffeln, in beg 33o9t0 ©enjalt !
4- 2Iufjug, 1. Scene. 121
D glauBt, er irirb i^n tief gcnug ijcrgra^en, 2 no
5)a^ er be§ ^ageS !^i^t nic^t trieber fle^t!
^enn furc^ten mu^ er tie gered^te ^aC^t
^eg freien 3[^anneg, ben er f^trer gereyt
^ung.
^er Qntlanbamman aud>, ber eble Ȥerr
3Son 5ltting:^aufen, fagt man, lieg' am ^obe* 2115
Stfc^er.
©0 Bri^t ber Ie|te 5(n!er unfrer ^offhung!
3)er n^ar e8 noc5^ atlein, ber feine (Stimme
©rl^eBen burfte fur beS 23oI!eg Ole^tel
Jtunj.
2)er ©turm nimmt uBer^anb. ©e'^a^t end^ n?o^II
3d) ne^me «§erBerg' in bem ©orf; benn ^eut 2120
3jl bo(^ an feine 2lBfal^rt ntel^r gu benfen.
(®et:;t ab.)
f?i[^er»
5)er ^etl gefangen, nnb ber Steil^err tobt!
(ixi)^W bie freeze ^tixm, ^ijrannei,
SBirf atle ©d^am l^intreg ! 2)er Si^unb ber SBa^rl^eit
3jl l^umm, bag fe^'nbe 5luge i|i geBIenbet, 2125
©er 5lrm; ber retten foUte, ift gefeffelt!
(gg l^agelt fd^trer. Jtommt in bie *§utte, QSater,
^0 ift nic^t fommlid^, l^ier im Srelen l^aufen.
gif^er.
Olafet, i^r SBinbel glammt ^erab, i^r 95Ii|e!
3l^r SBolfen Berfiet! ®ie^t l^erunter, ©trome 2130
S)eg Ǥimmelg, nnb erfduft baa Sanb! B^tj^ort
3m ^eim bie unge:6orenen .©efc^le^ter ! ^
.-/
122 SBit^elm 2:ea.
3^r trirbctt ©Icmeitte, ti^erbet «gerr!
3^r 95dren, fommt, ii)x alten 3©oIfe irtcbcr
2)er gro^en 5Bufte! euc^ ge^ort bag :^anb. 2135
SIBer trirb 1)kx leBen tx)oIIen o^ne greil;eit!
^ n a 6 e.
.§ort, trie ber QlBgruub toj!, ber $BirBct BruUt;
60 ^aVQ no^ nie gerafi in biefem (Sd;IuubeI
5'ifc^er.
3u jielcn auf beg eignen Jlinbeg ^au^t,
(Bold]^^ n?arb feinem 3Sater noc^ ge^oten ! 2140
Unb bie 01atur [ott nic^t in njilbeni ©rimm
<Sic^ broB emiporen, -7- D, niic^ foU'g nic^t irunbern;
SSenn ftc^ bie Selfen Bixcfen in ben 6ee/
2Benn jene 3^^^^/ i^ne (Sifegt^^iitme,
2)ie nie auft^^auten feit bem 6cl;o^fung§tag, 2145
3Son i^ren ^o^en .^ulmen nieberf^meljen,
^enn bie SBerge bred^en, n:enn bie alten ^Iiifte
^inftitr^en, eine jti^eite ©unbflut^ aHe
5Bo^nftdtten ber i^ebenbigen sjerf^Iingt!
(CDJan l)6rt Iduten.)
^bxt \f)x, fie Iduten broken auf bem 9Berg» 2150
@etx)i^ ^at man ein (Sc^iff in 0lot^ gefe^n
Unb giel^t bie ©locfe, ba^ gebetet n:erbe.
((Steigt auf dnt ^Iriijo^t.)
Sifc^er*
5Be^e bem ??a^r^eug, bag, je^t unternsegg,
3n biefer fur^tSarn SBiege n?irb gen^iegt !
Ǥier ifl bag 6teuer unniil unb ber (Steurer, 2155
2)er 6turm ifl SJieifter, S[Binb unb SSette f^pielen
SBatt mit bem S^enf^en. 5)a ift na^ unb fern
4. Slufsug, I. Scene. 123
J^eln SSufen, ber if)m freunblic^ ®^u§ gen^d'^rtel
«ganbIog unb fc^roff anfleigenb fiarren l^m
^ie Selfen, bie unnjirt^U^en, entgegen 2160
Unb njeifen if)m nur i^re fteinern fc^roffe SSrufl,
^naBe (beutet UufO-
SSater, ein ©d^iff! eg fommt i?on Sluelen l^cr,
Sifter.
®ott ^eip ben armen )^euten ! ^tnn ber ©turm
3n biefer SCBafferfluft fi^ erp tievfangcn;
2)ann rafl er itm fl^ mit beg OlauBt^ierg %no,% 3165
5)aS an beg ©itterg (SifenjidBe f^Iagt!
^ie $forte [uc^t er ^eulenb ft^. i?erge6en3 ;
2)enn ringgum f^rdnfen i^ bie 5elfen ein,
S)ie l^immpl^o^ ben engen $a§ i?erniauern»
((Sr jleigt auf bie Slu^of^e.)
^ n a B e.
^g ifl bag ^errenfd^iff i?on Uri, QSater, 2170
3d^ fenn'g am rotten 2)ad^ unb an ber Sa^ne*
Sifc^er*
©eric^te ©otteg! 3a, er i|^ eg felBfl,
2)er ;&anbt)09t, ber ba fa^xt — ©ort f^lfft er l^in
Unb fix^rt im ©c^iffe fein 33erBre^en mit!
(Bennett ^at ber Qlrm beg S^dc^erg i^n gefunben; 2175
3e|t fennt er iikr f!c^ ben ftdrfern Ǥerrn.
2)iefe SBeden geBen nic^t auf feine ©timme,
5)iefe Selfen Uidm i^xt t§du^iter ni^t
Q3or feinem ^nU — »^na6e, Bete niCtji,
©reip ni^t bem Olic^ter in ben QlrmI 2180
,^ n a B e.
3c^ Bete fiir ben Sanbi?ogt ni^t — 3^ Bete
5ur ben %cU, ber auf bem ©d^iff fl^ mit Bepnbet.
124 aBir^elm Sell.
Slfc^er.
D Un^nnnnft beg Hinbctt ©lement^!
Wlu^t bu, urn einen (Sc^ulbigen §u treffen,
©a0 ©d;lff mit fammt bem <BUmxmann J?erberBen ! 2185
»f n a B e.
(^iel^, fle^, f!e traren glucflic^ fd^on ijorBei
Qtm SBuggiggrat; bo^ ble ©etralt bea 6turm3,
©er i?on bem ^cufelgmunfier triber:|3rattt,
SKirft fie jiim gro^en ^j:enBerg luxM.
— 3c^ fe^' fie ni^t mt%
««..=. Sif^er^
2)ort ift ba§ *§a^meffer, 2190
SBo f^on ber ©d^iffe me^rere gekod^en.
^enn fie nic^t n?elgli^ bort ijoruBertenfen,
(So irirb bag ^d)i^ gerf^mettert an ber 5Iu^,
2)ie fld^ 9^^fio|ig aBfenft in bie ^iefe.
— <Bit l^aBen einen guten (ateuermann 2195
5(m SBorb; !onnt' einer retten, tt?ar'g ber ^etl;
2)oc^ bem flnb QIrm' unb Ȥanbe Ja gefeffelt.
SBtl^etm Xelt mit ber 9lrmkiifi.
((St !ommt ntit rafc^en ^d^ritten, Uidt erilaunt umtjer unb jcigt bic
i;cftigjle ^etoegung. SKenn er ntittcn auf ber @ceue x% mx\t er \i^
niebcr, bie §anbe ju ber @rbe unb bann jum §immel au^breitenb.)
^na^e (Bemerft i^n).
©ie^, 33ater, njer ber SDJann ifl, ber bort fniet,
Sifter.
dx fa^t bie ©rbe an mit feinen ^gdnben
Unb fd^eint ii?ie aufer fl^ §u fein. 2200
^na^e (fommt vorh^drtO*
SBag fel^' ic^! abater! 3Sater, fommt unb fe^t!
4. Slufjug, I. ®ccne. 125
sjSer ijl e§? — ®ott im ^immel! ffiag? bet .^etl?
aSie fommt i:^r ^ie^er? ^ebet!
,^ n a B e.
Sort auf bem ®c^iff gefangen unb QeBunbeu?
3^r trurbet nic^t tiac^ M^nac^t aBgefu'^rt? 2205
^ell (Wt auf).
3^ Bin Befrelt.
Sifter unb ^naBe.
SSefreitl D SBunber ®ottc§!
^ n a B e*
ffio lommt i1)x l^cr?
2)ort aua bem ©c^iffe.
gifd^cr.
9Bo ijl ber Sanbi?ogt?
5luf ben SBetten ixdU er.
Sifter*
3ft'3 moglld^? %Ux il^r? trie feib i^r l^ier?
®eib euten SBanben unb bem @turm entfommen? 2210
3:eIL
®urc^ ®otte3 gndVge ffiirfel^ung — ^ort an I
Sifc^er unb ,^na6e»
O rebet, tebet!
126 SBil^elm fSelL
©as in ^Itorf f!^
SSegeBen, n^l^t i|>i*'0?
5ltle§ n:eip ic^^ rebet!
xai
2)a^ ttti(^ bcr SanbiDogt fallen lie^ nub ^inben,
0la^ feiner SSurg gu .^u^nad^t troUte fu^^ren. 2215
&i[c!^er.
Unb ftd) mlt euc^ ^u Sluelen cingefd;ifft.
ffiir ii^iffen aUe6. (^:|3red;t, njie i^r entfommen?
Sd) lag im (&^iff, mit (Stvtcfen fefl geBunben,
3Bel^rIo6, ein aufgegeBner Tlann — SRic^t l^offt' i^,
2)ag fro^e £id;t bcr ^onne me:^r ^u fe^n, 2220
2)er ©attin xmb ber ^inber lie^eS 5(ntli^,
Unb troftloa Hidt' ^ in bie SSaffern?ujie —
Sifc^er.
O armcr SD^ann!
<^o fasten mx ba^in,
2)er SSogt, Olubol^^ ber Ǥarraa unb bie ^ned)te.
SDZein ^oc^er aBer ntit ber ^IrmBruft lag 2225
^m l^intern ©ranfen M bem <8teuerruber.
Unb aU voir an bie ^cfe Je^t gelangt
SBeim fleinen Qlren, ba i^er^dngt' eg ®ott,
©a^ folc^ ein graufam morbrifd^ Ungen^itter
©d^IingS ^erfiirka^ au0 beg ©ott^arbg (^^lunben, 2230
®a^ atlen O^uberern bag t&erj entfan!,
Unb meinten aUt, elenb ju ertrinfen.
Sa l^ijrt' i^'g, n?ie ber 2)iener einer flci^
4. Slufjug, I. (Scene. 127
Bum )^anbt»oc;t trcnbet' itnb bie SBorte ftirad^ :
3^r fet;et eure ^otf) unb unfre, Ǥerr, 2235
Unb ba^ ti^ir atl' am Otanb beg ^obeg fd^w?e6en — l^c^,.^>^
^ie (Steuerleute a^er iriffen ftd^
3Sor grower Surest nid^t 9Rat:^ unb ftnb be§ 5at;reng
?Rid)t n:ol^l Berid)tet — 01nn aBer ift ber ^ett
(Sin ftarfer SDtann unb ti^ei^ an @d;iff ju flcuern. 2240
ffiie, trenn n?ir feln ie|t Braud^ten in ber Dlotl^?
5)a ^pxad) ber 93ogt gu mir: ^eU, treim bu bir'g
©etrautefl, unS gu l^elfen aug bem (Sturm, dL*"^ . u^^tvC'^
<So mi?c^t' ic^ bic^ ber SSanbe tro'^I entleb'gen.
3(5^ akr f^rac^: 3a, <§err, mit ©otteg ^gulfe 2245
©etrau' ic^ mir'g unb l^elf ung iro^I ^iebannen.
@o trarb i^ meiner SSanbe Io3 unb jianb
Qlm ©teuerruber unb fu^r rebllc^ ^in.
^oc^ fd}ielt' i^ [eiln^drtg, njo mein ^d^iefjeug lag,
Unb an bem lifer merft' ic^ f^arf um^^er, 2250
SBo ftc^ ein 33ort:^eiI auftl^dt' gum ^ntf^ringen,
Unb trie ic^ eine§ Selfenrip gerrat)re,
2)ag a%)3lattet i?orf:|3rang in ben @ee —
JJif^er^
3c^ fenn'a, eg ijl am 5u^ beg gro^en 5Iren,
5)oc^ ni^t fur mogli^ ac^t' ic^'g — fo gar fieil 2255 / -4 ^y
©e^t'g an — i?om ©c^iff eg f^rtngenb aBjureid^em ^- *f
3:eIL
©^rte i^ ben .^nec^ten, !)anbli(^ guguget;n, -^
SSig ba^ n^ir t>or bie 5elfen:^latte Mmen,
!£)ort, rief i^, fei bag ^ergfie uBerj^anben —
Unb alg mx fte frif^ rubernb Balb erreid^t, 2260
gle^' id^ bie ©nabe ®otteg an unb briide,
Wit aUtn CeiBegfrdften angeftemmt,
128 SBil^elm Sell.
Sen ^inUxn ©ranfen an bie SelStranb l^in — ,
3e^t, f^neU meln ©d^ie^jeug faffenb, f^tx)ing' i^ felBfi
tgoc^f^ringenb auf bie $Iatte mid^ l^inauf, 2265
Uttb mit geti^alt'gem S^u^o^ l^inter mlc^
©d^teubr' i(5^ bag (S^ifflein in ben (^c^Iunb bet 5GBaffer —
2)ort mag'0, wie ©ott trill, auf ben 3©ellen treiSen!
^0 Un ic^ l^ier, gerettet aug beg (^turmg
©enjalt unb aug ber [c^limmeren ber SD'^enf^en. 2270
ff if^er*
XtU, XtUl ein fl^tBar 2Bunber ^at ber ^err
5ln euc^ get:^an ; taum glaub' ic^'g meinen (Siunen —
^0^, faget, tro gcbenfet i^r ie|t l^in?
2)enn ©ic^er^eit ift nidjt fhx euc^, trofern
2)er Sanbi;)ogt leBeub biefein 6turm entfommt 2275
^ell.
3c^ f)bxV if)n fagen, ba ic^ no^ im Sd^if
©eButtben lag, er irott' Bei SBrunnen lanben,
Unb uUx <^^vo^^ nac^ feiner SBurg mi^ fii^ren.
Sifc^er*
SSitt er ben SBeg ba^in ^u ^anbe ne|)men?
^elL
©r benft'S.
Sifc^er^
D, fo i^erBergt euc^ o^ne ©aumen! 2280
0li^t gtreimal ^ilft euc^ ®ott aug feiner »§anb.
3:eIL
S'lennt mir ben nd^jten ^eg na^ 5lrt:^ unb ,^u^nac^t.
Slfc^er.
5)ie offhe ©tra^e ^k^t ftc?^ iiBer ©teinen;
4- Slufjitg, I. Scene. - 129
S)od^ etnett fur^ern 2Beg unb l^eimlid^ern
^anit eud^ mein ^naBe uBer )i^otx)erj ful^ren. 2285
2! ell (QiBt i^m bie §anb).
©ott lo^tt' eu^ eure @utt:^at. )^eBet n:o^L
(®el)t unb fe^rt tt)iebec urn.)
— »§atjt il^r nic^t aud^ im Olutii mitgefc^njoren ?
33^ir bau^t, man nannt' euc^ mir. —
gifc^en
3^ njar battel
Unb |)a6' ben ©ib beS SBunbeS mit Befd^njoren.
(So eilt nad^ SBurgten, t^ut bie i^ieB* mir an ! 2290
SD^ein ffieib i^erjagt urn mic^; Derfunbet i^r,
©af ic^ gerettet fei unb n:o^I geBorgen^
Sifc^er.
£)od^ n:o:^in fag' ic^ il^r, ba^ i:^r geflo^n? "^^
^elL
Sl^r w^erbet meinen 6^tx)d:^er Bei i^r finben
Unb anbre, bie im Oiiitti mit gefd^njoren — 3295
@ie fotten traifer fein unb guteS SUZutl^S,
2)er ^ell [ei frei unb feineg 5(rme3 mac^ttgj
SBalb irerben fte ein SBeitreS tion mir l^oren*
Sifi^er^
aSaS l^aBt i^r im ®emut^? ^ntbecft mir'S freU
3ft e8 getl^an, n^irVg auc^ jur 9lebe fommen. 2300
(@c^t ab.)
Sifc^er.
3eig' i'^m ben 2Beg, Senni* ®ott flel^' i^m Set!
<£r fu^rt'g §um 3iel, txiaS er aud^ unternommen.
(®e^t a6.)
130 SBilfjelm %ai
3u>eite Scene.
(Ebet:§of ju Sltting'^aufett.
^tx%xti^txt,xn cincm Slrmfeffet, jicrBenb. 9Batt:^cr gurft,
(Stauffarf)er, 2)iel(^t^al unb ^aumgartcn urn % Befc^dftigt,
2B a 1 1 1^ e r X e U, fuieenb »or bem ^terbenbeu.
SOSalt^er gurjl*
dS ijl t)orBel mit il^m, er ifi l^lnuBer*
©tauffad^er.
(gr tiegt nlc^t trie ein ^obter — ^e'^t, bie Seber
^uf feinen Si^^pett regt f!^ ! Olu^ig ijl 2305
'^ein 6c^la5 unb friebli^ tcic^etn feine 3uge.
(^aumgarten ge^t an btc i^^^urc unb fpndjt mit jemanb.)
3[Balt]^er giirft Qu JBaumgarten).
ffiev ijl'g?
SSaumgartcn (!ommt guvucf ).
©g ifi ffrau ^ebtrig, eure %od}Ux}
©ie trill eu^ f)3rec^en, triU ben ,^naBen fe^n*
(SSalt^er 2;en rici^tet fic^ auf.)
3Salt]^er gixrji.
^ann i^ fie trofiett? ^aB' ic^ felBer ^rofi?
»&duft aHeg ^eibett ft(^ auf meinem »§au:^t? 2310
Ȥ e b tr i g (^creinbringcnb).
SBo ifi inein ^inb? £a^t tnic^, ic^ mug e0 fel^n —
©tauffac^er*
5apt eu^ ! SBeben!t, bag il§r im ^an^ M ^obeS —
Ȥ e b tr i g (fiu^t auf ben JlnaBcn).
SD^ein ffidlt^ ! D, er le:6t mix !
4- 2lufjug, 2. Scene. 131
SBalt^er ^ell rtancjt an %).
5trme Sautter 1
Ǥ e b tt^ i g*
3fi'0 auc^ gemf ? SBift bu tiiir uni)erte|t?
(S3etrad)tet i^^n mit dngfitid^er <Scrgfa(t.)
Uub ifl eS moglic^? *^onnt' er auf blc^ gielen? 2315
SS I e fonnt' er'g ? D, er ^at fein *§er§ — er !onnte
S)en $feil aBbru(!en auf feiii eigneg ,^inb !
SBalt^er gurji.
^r t1)aV^ tnit ?tngfi, mit fc^mer^^erriper ©eele;
@e§n?uncjen ii)at er'g, beun e0 gait ba^ Se^etu
«§ e b tx> i g»
D, l^dtt' er elneg SSaterg "gerg-, e^' er'0 3320
©et^an, er n?dre taufenbmal gejtorBen!
©tauffac^er*
3^r foUtet ®otte§ gndb'ge ©d^lcfung pxd\tn,
2)ie eg fo gut gelenft —
^ e b IX) I g.
Jtann id^ ijergeffeit,
2Bie'8 l^dtte fomnten ! 5 n n e n ? — ©ott beS «§immel§ !
Unb le^t' i(^ a^tjig Sa^r — id^ fel^' ben ^naBen en?ig 2325
©eBunben f^e^n, ben SSater auf ii)n gielen,
Unb en?ig fliegt ber $feil mix in bag ^^erj.
Srau, njuf tet l^r, n:ie i^n ber SSogt gereijt!
Ȥ e b n? I g.
D, ro^eg ^erj ber 2)Jdnner ! SBenn i^x ©totj
SBeleibigt tt:irb, bann ac^ten fie nlc^tg mti)x; 2330
6ie fe^en in ber Hinben 3But^ beg ^:^ielg
5)ag ^au^)t beg ^inbeg unb bag ^gerj ber Sautter!
K 2
lS^ SSil^elm Sell.
3|i eure0 2^anne0 2ooQ nic^t l^art genug,
2)a^ i^r mlt fc^trerem ^abel ii)n noc^ !rdn!t?
5ur fcine M'Dm ^aU \i)x !ein ©efu^l? 2335
(fe^rt ftd^ na^ iijm nm unb fte^t t^n mit cinem gtof en 93(ic!e an).
.§aft bu nur ^^rdnen fur be^ Sreunbe^ Ungliic!?
— 2Bo txiaret il^r, ba man ben ^reffli^ett
3n SBanbe fd^Iug? SSo tt?ar ba eure Ȥulfe?
3^r fa^et gu, i^r liegt bag ©rdglic^e gefc^e^^it;
©ebulbig Uttet i^r'g, ba^ man ben Sreunb 2340
Qtu3 eurer SOiitte fix^rte* ^at ber ^ell
5lnc^ fo an eucS^ ge^anbelt? (^tanb er anC[}
95ebauernb ba, aU i)inUx bit bte Shelter
2)eg )^anbi?ogtg brangen, aU ber njut^'ge (^ee
SSor blr crBraufte? 0li^t niit mu^'gen ^rdnen 2345
S5e!Iagt' er bi^, in ben ^a^tn f:|3rang er, SQdb
Unb «^inb t>erga^ er, unb :6efreite bi^ —
aSalt^er gurjl.
2Bag fonnten n^ir §u [einer Olettung njagen,
2)ie Heine 3^^^^/ i'i^ un^etraffnet n?ar!
«&ebn?ig (yoixft jic^ an feine ^rufl).
D SSaterl Unb au(^ bu l^afl i^n i?erIorenI 2350
®ag Sanb, njir atle l^a^en i^n J?erIoren!
Un0 alien fe^tt er, ac^, tcir fe^Ien i^m!
®ott rette feine (Seele t)or SSerjtceiflung !
3u ti)m ^inab in0 obe SSurgtierlie^
5)ringt !einea greunbeg ^xoft — SBenn er er!ran!te ! 2355
5lc^, in be3 ^erferg feuc^ter Sinjlerni^
SD^uf er er!ran!en — SBie bie Qtl^enrofe
aSIei^t unb i?er!iimmert in ber 6um))fegruft,
4- Shifjug, %. ©cene. 133
(So ifl fur i^n !ein !&eBen al§ im !^ic^t
^cr @onne, in bent SBalfamflrom ber ^iJuftc. 2360
©efangen! ©rl (Sein ^It^em ijl bie ffreii)eit;
^r fann ni(^t leBen in bem 'gaud^ ber ©riifte.
(Stauffac^er*
SBerul^igt euc^. 5Bir atle n^oHen ^anbeln,
Uni feinen ^crfer auf^ut^^um
^ e b n? i g.
SBa0 !5nnt i ^ r f^affen o^nc i^ ? — <So tang 2365
5)er ^etl no^ frei n^ar, ja, ba njar noc^ ^offnung,
5)a ^atte no^ bie Unfc^ulb timxi ffreunb,
^a 1i^<xiit einen Ȥelfer ber SSerfoIgte,
(5u(^ ade rettete ber ^etl — 3^r atle
3ufammen fonnt ni^t feine ffeffein lofen! 2370
(2)er ffrelfjerr crlt^ad^t.)
SSaumgarten*
(5r regt j!^, flim
5ttting'^aufen (n^ aufn^tenb).
SBo ifl er?
©tauffac^er.
ffiBer?
Slttingl^aufen.
(gr fe^rt mlr,
35erlaft mt(^ in bem lefeten ^lugen^Iicfl
©tauffac^er»
©r nteint ben 3un!er — ©c^idte man nac^ i'^m ?
^Balt^er giirft^
^g ifl na^ it;m gefenbet — ^roflet euc^ !
©r l^at [ein ^erj gefnnben, er iji unfer. 2375
134 SBil^elm Sell.
Sltting^aufen.
^at er gcf^ro^cn fur fein SSaterlanb?
(Stauffad^er^
Wit ^efbenfu^n^^eit,
5lttingl^aufett.
SBarum fomtnt er ntc^t^
Urn meinen Ie|ten (Segcn ju em^jfangen?
3c^ fut;Ie, baf e^ f^Ieunig tnit mix enbet*
<&tauffa^er»
0ll(^t alfo, ebler ^gerr! 5)er fur^e (^(^laf 2380
^at euc^ erquicft, unb tjtU ift cuer SSIltf,
^ttingl^aufem
^er ®c^mer§ ifl Se'Ben, er i^erltef mt^ auc^*
®a0 l^eiben i\t, fo njte bie «§offnung, au6.
(@r bcmer!t ben ^uaBen.)
aSer ift ber ^na6e?
SBalt^er gurfi.
6egnet iljn, ^gerr!
©r ifl mein (Snfel unb ijt t>aterto6» 2385
(§ebn)iij fin!t mit bem ^naBen »or bem <SterBenbcn nfebcr.)
5(ttittgl^aufem
Unb i?aterlo0 laf Id^ euc^ atle, atte
Surutf — 5Be^' mir, ba^ meine Ie|ten Slicfe
2)en Untergang beS SSaterlanbS gefe^nl
SO^u^t' i^ beg !^eBen0 ^O(^fte0 2^a^ errel(^en,
Urn gan§ mit aUen »§offnungen gu jlerBen? 2390
e t a u f f a ^ e r (su Saltier gurjl).
6otl er in biefem finjtern ^^urnrner fc^eiben?
^ri^etten n?ir il)m ni^t bie le^te ©tunbe
4. Slufiiug, 2. Scene. 135
^dt fc^onem ©tra^I ber «§offnung ? — (^bler ffrell^err I
(^xijtM curen ©eijil 2Pir ftnb nid^t ganj
SSerlajfen, flnb nt^t rettungSloS tierlorem «395
Stttittgl^aufen.
5Ber foU eud^ retten?
mx una [elBji. IBernel^mt!
^g ^ahm bie brei )i^anbe ftd^ bag 2Bort
©egeBen, bie 5!^rannen gu ijeriacjcn,
©efc^Ioffen iji ber SBunb; ein fceiPger (Sd^wur
SSerBinbet unS, @3 n?irb gel^anbelt irerben, 2400
^^' nod^ ba§ Sa^r ben neuen ^retg 'Beginnt.
©uer ©tauS n^irb ru^n in einem freien J^anbe*.
51 1 1 in gl^au fen.
D faget mir! ©efd^Ioffen iji ber 93unb?
Q(m gleic^en XaQt njerben atle brei
SBalbftatte fld^ er^e^en. %m ijl 2405
SSereit, nnb ba§ ©e^eimnif tro^IBetra'^rt
SSiS ie|t, oBgleic^ t>iel Ǥunberte e6 tl^eitem
Ǥo^l ifi ber SBoben unter ben ^^i^rannen,
©ie 5^age il^rer «§errf(?^aft finb ge^d^^lt,
Unb Balb ip i^re (S:|3ur nic^t ntel^r gu finbem 2410
5lttingl^aufen.
©ie fejien SBurgen a^er in ben )^anben?
S^eld^t^al.
(Bit fatten atle an bem gleic^en ^ag»
Qltting^aufem
Unb flnb bie ^betn biefeg SSunbg t^eil^aftig?
13^ 2Bilf)elm flelL
<Stauffa^er.
S©ir t)axun i^xt^ SBelftanbg, trenn e§ gilt;
3e|t aBer l^at ber Sanbmann nur gefc^njoren. 2415
5ttting^aufen
(rti^tet ft^ tangfam in bie t^c^c tnit grojjcm (frfiaunen).
Ȥat ftc^ ber l^anbmann folder Xi)at imvoo^m,
Qtu6 cignem WitUl, o^ne «§ulf ber ©bein,
»§at cr ber eignen Jlraft fo J^iet J?ertraut —
3a, bann Bebarf e^ unferer nid^t me^r;
©etrofiet founen n?ir §u ©rate fteigett; 2420
©g Iel>t n a (^ ung — burc^ anbre ^rdfte irilT
^a0 ^errli^e ber 3[)^enfc^:^elt flc^ er^alten.
((Bx legt feine §anb auf ba^ ^au^t be^ ^itibe^; bag »or i^m ouf ben
Stnimx tiegt.)
^lu^ biefem Ȥau:|3te, n?o ber ^^fel lag,
SStrb euc^ ble neue, 6effre Srei^eit grunen;
3)a§ Qllte ftiir^t, eg dnbert flc^ bie 3eit, 2425
Unb neueg )&e6en Blul^t aug ben ^tuinen*
e t a u f f a d^ e r Ou Saltier gurfi).
<Bti)t, \vdCt)tx ®Ian$ fl^ urn ^dn 5tug' ergieftl
2)ag Ift nic&t bag ©rlof^en ber 0latur,
2)ag ijt ber @tral^I fd^on eineg neuen ^eBenS*
^tting^aufen.
^er Qlbet peigt i?ott feinen alten SBurgen, 3430
Hub f^trort ben ^taUm feinen SBurgereib;
3m Ue^tlanb [c^on, im ^^^urgau l^at'S tegonnen,
S)ie eble SSern er^ebt il^r l^errfc^enb ^au:|3t,
ffreiBurg ifl eiue flc^re SBurg ber Sreien,
5)ie rege 3u^i^ n^affnet i^re Sunfte 2435
3um friegerifc^en <§eer — eg Bric^t bie aJ^ac^t
£)er ^ijnige flc^ an i^ren ew'gen QBdUen —
4. Slufaug, %, Scene. 137
(S'r fpn^t t)a3 goTgcnbe tnit bent 2!on cine^ (Setjer^; feine 0!cbc
jteigt Big ^ur iBegeitlerung.)
5)ie gurjten fe^' i(^, unb bie ebeln ^errn
3n ^arnifc^en ^^erangc^ogen fommcn,
^in :^armIo§ SSoIf i?on »§lrten ^u Befriegen. 2440
^uf iob unb !^eBen tx)irb gefdm^^ft, unb :^errlid^
SSirb ntanc^er $a^ bur^ Huttge ©ntfc^eibung.
©er !iJattbmann ftur^t ftc^ mit ber nacften SBrujt,
^in freieg D^jfer, in bie 6c^aar ber Sangem
©r Bri^t fie, unb be§ Qlbelg SBmt^e fdtlt, 2445
@g |>eBt bie Srei^eit ftegenb i^re ga^^ne,
(SBatf^er gurjl^ unb (Staujfac^erg §dnbe faffenb.)
®rum l^altet feft jufammen — fep unb etrig —
^ein Drt ber Srei^eit fei bem anbern fremb —
t^od^tra^ten jiedet au§ auf euren SBergen,
— Sa^ ftc^ ber SBunb gum SBunbe raf^ ijerfammie — 2450
©eib einig — einig — einig —
(@r fdl(t in bag ^x^va gurucf — feine §dnbe 'fiatten entfeelt nod& bie
anbern gefaf t. giirjl unb €tauffa^er betrad^ten il)n noc^ eine Beit
lang fd^n?eigenb ; bann treten lie i)intreg, jeber feinem @cf)merj ubers
laffen. Unterbeffen ftnb bie ^nc^te jiiU l^ereingcbtungen, (le nd^ern
fid^ mit Seic^en eineg jiiKern cber fjeftigern <Sc^meqeng, einige fnieen
bei i^m nieber unb n?einen auf feine §anb ; njd^renb biefer ftummen
©cene irirb bie ^urgglocfe geldutet.)
Olubeng ju ben 93 rig en.
8iuben§ (raf^ eintretenb).
ge6t er? D faget, !ann er mic^ noc^ :^oren?
SBalt^er gtirfl
(beutet I)in mi n3eggett»anbtem ©ejtd^t).
3^r feib Je^t unfer \^e^en0^err unb ©c^irmer,
Unb bie[e0 ^^lof ^^\ ^xxiKXi anbern 0lamem
138 SBil^elm Siell.
Oi u b e n J
(etBtic!t ben ?ei(^nam uub jie^t »on fjeftigem (^(^mcrj cv^riffcn).
D gut'ger ®ott ! — ,^ommt meine Oieu^ ju fpdt ? 2455
^onnt' er nic^t n^en^ge $ulfe langer leBen,
Um meln gednbert ^erj ^u fel^n?
SSera^tet ^aB' ic^ feine treue (Stimme,
£>a er no(^ tranbelte im !^i(^t — ^r ifl
©a'^tn, ifl fort auf tmmerbar unb (dp mtr 2460
®ie fc^were, unBeja^Ite <S(^uIb! D, fagct!
(^d)ieb er bal^in im Unmutl^ gegen mic^?
© t auf fact; er,
^r ^5rte fierBenb noc^, it)a§ xf)x Q^t^an,
Unb fecjnete ben 2)^utt;, mit bem i^r fprac^t
9^uben§ Ottiet an bcm ^obten nteber).
3a, ^eit'ge Olefte tim^ t^euren 5D^anne^! 2465
©ntfeelter ^elc^nam! l^ter geloB' ii^ bir'0
3n beine falte 3:obten^anb — Serriffen
^aV i^ auf etrig atte fremben SSanbe;
3uru(fgegeBen Bin i^ melnem SBoI!,
(Sin (Sc^n^eijer Bin id}, unb id) triU e0 fein 2470
33on ganjer ^eele
(5luffle:^enb.)
^rauert nm ben S^reunb,
®en SSater atler, bo^ i?er§aget ni(^t!
S^ic^t BIo^ fein (SrBe ifl mir jugefaUen,
^a fleigt fein 'gerj, fein ©eift auf mic^ l^eraB,
Unb leijten foil eu^ meine frifc^e Sugenb, 2475
SS}a§ euc^ fein greifeg filter f^ulbig BlieB.
— (S:^rnjiirb'ger SSater, geBt mir eure ^anb I
@eBt mir bie eurigel 2)^el^tt;al, auc^ i^^rl
I 4. Slufjug, 2. (Scene,
139
SSebenft eiic^ nic^t! D n^enbet m^^ ni^t n?eg!
^m:|3fanget meinen (B^voux unb mein ©eluBbe. 2480
malfijtx Surfl.
©e^t i^m bie »ganb, ©ein xrieberfe^renb ^erj
^erbient 33ertraun,
3^r l^aBt ben £anbmann nicT^t^ geac^tet.
(^)3re(^t, ircjfen foil man fi^ ^u euc5^ t)erfe^n?
SR u b e n J.
D, benfet nic^t be3 Srrt^um^ meiner Sugenbl
©tauffac^er Ou mW¥l).
(Seib eintg, n?ar bag le^te ffiort beS 9Sater3» 2485
©ebenfet beffenl
Ȥier ifl meine ^anbl
:£)e§ SBaucrn ^anbfd;Iag, ebler ^err, ijt au^
^in 2^anne§n?ort 3Bag ifl ber Oiitter o^ne un3?
Unb unfer ©tanb ift alter aU ber eure^
Olnbenj*
3c^ etjr' i^n, unb ntein <Bd^mxt foU il^n ^efc^u^en. 2490
^er Qtrm, <gerr Srei^err, ber bie ^arte ^rbe
©i^ untertrirft unb i^ren <Sc^oo^ Befru^tet,
^ann auc^ be0 2)?anne§ SBruj^ Befd;u|en»
91 u b e n §♦
3^r
(^oUt meine SBrufl, t(^ n^iH bie eure fc^u|en,
<So ftnb n?ir einer burc^ ben anbern |!art 2495
— Soc^ n?oju reben, ba bag QSatevlanb
I40 SBil^elm 2;en.
©in ^axib nod^ ifi ber fremben ^f^rannei?
SGSenn er|^ ber SBoben rein ift t»on bent Seinb,
£)ann tt?otten trir'^ im Srieben fc^on t>ergtei^en.
(Sflad^bcm er cinen 5lugenBlidf tnne ge"^attcn.)
3^r f^treigt? S^r f)abt mix nic^tg gu fagen? Sie? 2500
3Serbien' ic^'a noc^ ni^t, ba^ itix mir i^ertraut?
<Bo mu^ i^ njiber euren SBitlen ntic^
3n bag ©e^eimni^ eureS 23unbe0 brdngem
— 3^r ^aht getagt — gef^troren auf bent ^nili — ^,j
3c^ mi^ — n?et^ atleS, njaS ii)x bort t>er^anbelt, 2505
Unb, voa^ mir nic^t tion euc^ i^ertrauet n?arb,
3^ ^aB'g Betxsa'^rt glei^n?ie ein l^eilig $fanb.
0lie voax i(^ nteineg £anbe§ ??einb, glauBt mir^
Unb niemalg :^dtt' id) gegen euc^ ge^anbelt*
— ^od^ utjel t^^atet i^r, eg ju t>erfd}ieBen ; 2510
2)ie 6'tunbe brdngt, unb rafd^er Xi]at Bebarf 6 —
2)er ^ed fc^on njarb bag D:pfer eureg ©dumeng —
©tauffad^er*
^ag S^riflfefi atjun^arten fc^n^uren n:ir.
91 u b e n j» •
3c^ trar ni(^t bort, i(^ ^aB' nic^t mitgef^ttioren.
SBartet i^r ab, i^ l^anble.
a^elc^t^aL
«IQag? 3^r wotltet — 2515
SI u b e n J.
S)eg Saitbeg SSdtern jd^^P ic^ nti^ {c|t Bet,
Unb nteine erjie $flic(?t ijl, euc^ 3U fc^it^en*
Saltier giir|l.
2)er (Srbe biefcn t^euren 6tautj ^u geben^
3j^ eure ndc^j^e ^flic^t wnb t;eiligjle»
4- Slufjug, a. Scene. 141
91 u b e n J.
SBenn trir baS IS^anb Befreit, bann legen tx)ir 2520
©en frifc^en Jtranj beS 6iegg i^m auf bie SSal^re*
— D greunbe ! eure ©ad^e ni^t aHeln,
S^ l^aBe melne eigne au§jufed)ten
a^it bem ^i^rannen — «§ort unb n^igt I SSerf^wuuben
3fl meine SBertl^a, ^eimlid^ tijeggerauBt ' ^^^^-^y-^^ 2525
aj^it fecfer S'reijeltl^at au3 unfrer SU^ittel c^w^v..
©tauffac^er*
©ol^er ©etraltt^at l^dtte ber ^i^rann
SBiber bie freie ^ble flc^ i?ern?ogen?
91 u b e n 5.
D nteine Sreunbe! eud^ J^erfprac^ i(^ ^iilfe,
Unb ic^ juerfl muf fie i?on euc^ erfle^n. 2530
©erauBt, entriffen ifl mir bie ©elieBte.
aBer n?ei^, n?o fte ber 3Ktit^enbe ijerBirgt,
5BeI(^er ©etralt fie frei?elnb fic^ er!ii:^nen,
3^r »§er§ ju gnjingen §um i^er^^agten SBanb!
SSerla^t mid^ nic^t, l^elft mir fte erretten — 2535
®ie lieBt euc^I fie l^at'g 5:)erbient um'g Sanb,
2)ap atte 5lrme ftd^ fiir fie Ben^affnen —
aSalt^er gurj^.
®ag njottt i:§r unterne^^men ?
aiubenj.
aSei^ ic^'S? 5(c^I
3tt biefer 0lae^t, bie i^r ©efd^icf um^iim,
3n biefeg S^^eifet^ unge^eurer ^ngfi, 2540
SBo ic^ ni(^t8 gefleg ^u erfaffen m\%
3fl mir nur biefeg in ber ©eele flar:
Unter 'i>txi ^riimmern ber ^^rannenmad^t
142 SBil^elm Siett.
5lIIein fann fie l^erijorgegraSeii ti^erben;
^ie gefien aUe muffeti n?ir Begii^ingen, 2545
OB tt)ir t>ietleic^t in i^ren ^erfer bringem
^ommt, fu"^rt mi^ an\ ^ix folgen eu^. 5Barum
25t0 morgen f^aren, n^a^ mx l^eut i^ermogen?
ffrei tear ber X^ti, aU mx im Olutli f^njuren,
^aS Unge^eure ti^ar noc^ nic^t gefd^e^eit. 2550
a^ Bringt bie ^tit ein aubereg ®efe^;
2Ber ift fo fetg, ber ie|t noc^ fonnte ^agenl
Olubenj (ju (Stauffai^er unb 2CaI%r gurfl).
Snbe^ :6en?afnet unb jum 3Berf Bereit,
(Swartet i^r ber SSerge Seuerjei^en,
©enn fc^nelXer aU ein SBotenfegel fliegt, 2555
(BoU eud^ bie SBotfd^aft unfer^ (Sieg^ erreid^en;
Unb, fel)t it;r leuc^ten bie U)itl!omntnen Slammen,
^ann auf bie ffeinbe ftur^t, trie ^etter§ ^txa1)l, >,
Unb Bre^t ben SSau ber 5^§rannei gufammen. ..Ja/^-*-'^^"
(@el;ert ab.)
£)ritte Scene.
$Dic ^ot)Ie ©affc bci ^u^na^t
9)Tan fleigt »cn ^inten j^irifc^cn ??etfen ^erunter, mtb bie SBanberec
hjerben, c^e fie auf ber @cene evfd)cinen, fd}on »cn ber »^6t)e gefetjen.
gelfen umfc^Uelen bie gan,;;e (Scene ; auf einem ber tocrbecften iji ein
S3crfprung mit ©eftrdu^ betrad^fen.
2:e(l tritt auf mit ber SlrmBruji.
2)ur^ biefe l^ol^Ie ©affe nin^ er fommen; 2560
®g fiil^rt fein anbrer ^eg nac^ M^na^t — ^ier
4. Slufsug, 3. Scene. 143
33otjfenb^ i^'0 — bie ©elegen^^elt ifl gunflig.
5)ort ber Ǥottunbetftrau(^ tierbirgt niic^ i^m,
33on bott 'i)aab tann i^n mein $feil erlangen;
5)eg ffiegeg @nge ice^ret ben 33erfoIgern. >^<£^ 3565
3[)kc^ beine Ole^nung mit bent Ǥimmel, SSogt,
Scrt muf t bu, beine U^r iji aSgelciufen.
3^ Ie:6te pm unb l^armlog — ba§ ©efc^of ^ ^l-^^-
SSar auf be0 SBalbeS Z^mt nur getic^tet,
Wtdnt ©ebanfen njaren rein i?on SD^orb — 2570
^u l^aft aiig meinem 5'rieben mi^ ^eraug
©ef^recft; in gd^renb ©rad^engift l^afl bu f^^^-^
^ie 2)?itc^ ber frommen ©enfart mir i^ertvanbelt ;
3um Ungetjeuren ^a\i bu mic^ genso^nt —
SSer fl^ beg ,^inbe0 Ǥau)3t ^uni 3i^^^ f^fete, 2575
5)er fann auci^ trefen in bag »§er§ beg 5einb3.
5)ie armen ,^inblein, bie unfc^ulbigen,
2)ag treue SEeiO mug ic^ tior beiner SBut^
SBef^vigen, ^^anbijogt ! — ©a, alg i^ ben iBogenprang
5(njog — alg mir bie ^ganb tVQitUxtt — 2580
%U bu mit groufam teufelif^er ^uji ^^/.v
2^ic^ jtrangfl:, an\'^ «§au^t beg ^inbeg anjulegen — . .
Qllg i^ o^nmd^tig flel^enb rang 'oox bir, i^.M.^
©amalg gelobt' ic^ mir in meinem Snnern
2)tit furc^Barm (Sibfc^njur^ ben nur ©ott ge^ort, 2585
$£)a§ meineg n deepen ^e^uffeg erfieg ^id
£)ein «ger§ fein [oUte — SB'ag ic^ mir geloBt
3n ieneg ^(ugenHicfeg ^gotlenqualen,
3jt eine i^eil'ge <Sd^ulb — ic^ itntt fte gal^ten.
Su Inj^ mein »&err unb meineg «^aiferg 3Sogt; 2590
©od^ nic^t ber »^aifer l&dtte ft^ erlauJt,
144 SBil^etm Self.
SBaa b u — (Bx fanbte bic^ in biefe l^anbe,
Urn OlecS^t ^u f^re^en — prengea, benn cr gurnet —
5)0(3^ nlc^t, urn mit ber m5rberif(C;en !S^up
2)i^ iebe0 ©rduelg ftraflog gu erfred^en; 2595
(S3 leBt eltt ®ott, in prafeit unb gu rdd^em
^omm bu ^eri?or, bu 95ringcr Bittrer ^^merjen,
S^ein t^eure0 ,^Ielnob jc^t, mein l^oc^fter @d^a§ —
®in 3i^I ^i^ ic^ bir QtUn, 'iia^ Big je^t j
2)er frommen SBitte unburc^bringli^ tnar — ' ^ 2600
2)o(:^ bir foU e§ ni^t n)iberfte:^n — Unb bu,
3Sertraute SBogenfe^ne, bie fo oft
Tlix treu gebient t;at in ber greube <B^uUn,
QSerla^ mic^ nicl;t im fiirc^terli^en @rnft!
^nx ie^t noc^ l^alte feft, bu treuer (Strang, 2605
2)er mir fo oft ben t;erBen 5>feil Befliigelt — .- ^<. .
^ntrdnn' er je^o !raftto6 meinen ^dnben,
3^ f)aU feinen ^mikn gu tierfenben,
(Sanberer getjen uBer bie (Scene.)
5luf biefer SSan! i?on (Bkin mU i^ mic^ fe^en,
2)em SBanberer gur furjen S^u^ Bereitet — 2610
^mn l^ier ij^ feine ^eimat:^ — Seber treiBt
<Bi^ an bent anbern raf^ unb fremb iJorriBer
Unb fraget nic^t nac^ feinem @^mer§ — ^ier gel^t
5)er forgenijoUe ^aufmann unb ber leic^t
®efd;tirgte $itger — ber anbdc^t'ge Tlbn^, 2615
2)er biiftre Oldukr unb ber l^eitre 6:pielmann,
^er (Sdumer mit bent fc^n^er BelabUvU ^0^, ^
2)er feme ^erfommt ^on ber SD^enfd^en )^dnbern,
5)enn iebe ©trage fit^rt an§ (Snb' ber 3Belt.
@ie aUe gie^en i^rea SBegeg fort 2620
5ln il^r ©efd^dft — unb meineg ip ber 2)?orb I
4. Stufaug, 3. Scene. 145
5)a njar ein greuen, irenn er n^ieber tarn;
S)entt niemalg !e^rt' er l^eim, er Brac^t' eud^ ettrag,
aBar'0 eine fc^one QlIpenBlume, n?ar'3
@in feltner SSogel ober ^mmong^orn,
SBie e^ ber SCBanbrer finbet auf ben SSergett —
Sefet ge^t er elnem anberit SCBaibnjer! nac^,
^tti ttjilben 2Beg fl^t er nilt 3i)^orbgeban!cn ;
©eg geinbeS I^e^en iji'g, trorauf er lauert. 2630
— Unb bo^ an e u c^ nur benft er, lieBen ^inbcr,
5luc^ ie^t — euc^ ju ijert^eib'gen, eure l^olbe Unf^ufe
3u fc^u|en i?or ber Otac^e beg ^iijranncn,
3BiIl er gum SD^orbe ie^t ben SBogen f^annem
(©tel)! auf.)
3d^ laure auf ein eblea ffiilb — 2a^t p^'S 2635
2)er Sdger nic^t tierbriegcn, 2!age lang
Um^er gu jireifen in beS SBinter^ ©trenge,
SSon gets ju gela ben SBagef^rung ju t^un,
t§inan gu flimmen an ben glatten 5Bdnben,
aSo er flc^ anleimt mit bent eignen 25Iut, 2640
— Um ein armfelig ©ratt^ier gu erjagen.
Jgier gilt e§ einen foftlic^eren $rei§,
®a3 «§er5 beg ^obfeinbg, ber mi^ tx)itl tierberBen.
{Wl<xn fjoxt ^ott feme eine l^citere SWufif, iret^e jic!^ ndl;ert.)
SD^ein ganjeg !5^eBen lang ^aV ic^ ben SBogen
©e^anb^aBt, mic^ geiiBt nac^ ©d^iilenreget ; .2645
3c^ ^aBe oft gefc^offen in bag @c^n:ar^e
Unb manc^en fc^onen $reig mir ^eimgekac^t
3Som Sreubenfc^ie^en — 5IBer ^eute njid ic^
146 SBiIf)elm 2:eII.
^en SJ^eiflcrfc^u^ ii)im unb 'Da§ SSefie nut
3m ganjen Um!rei§ beg ©eBirgg geminnen« 2650
S'itic ^oc^i^eit ^tef>t uBer tie ©cenc nnb burc^ ben ^o^flreg :^tttauf.
Xell betrad)tet fie, auf feinen S3o^en ge(?l)nt; <Stuffi, ber 5turfc^%
gefeUt ft^ gii if)m.
(Stuffu
2)ag if! ber ^lojlermel'r t)on S^orlifc^ad^en,
2)er ^ier ben SSrautlauf Ijalt — ein reiser ^ann,
©r ^at tx)o^I ge^en (Senten auf ben ^(^em
2)ie SBraut l^olt er je^t ab ju Smifee,
Unb biefe ^a<^t njirb l^oc^ gefc^n^elgt ^u Rn^m^t 2655
^ommt mit! ^g ip jeber 33iebermann gelaben.
5:elt
(^iix ernfier ®ajl ftimmt ni^t jum *§oc^jeit|)au0,
etuffi.
^tudt eu^ ein ,^ummer, mxft itin ftifc^ i;)i?m «ger^en!
0lel)mt nut, traS fommt! bie 3^iten flnb i^i^t f^n^er,
5)runt niuf ber 5)knfd^ bie greube leic^t ergreifen. 2660
^ier n^irb gefreit unb anbergwo Begrakn.
3:eIL
Unb oft !ommt gar bag eine ju bem anbern*
©titffi.
^0 ge^t bie 5IBeIt nun. (S:^ giBt atlertregen
Ungliicfg genug — ^'in Olufft ift gegangen
3m ©larner Sanb, unb eine gan^e <BdU 2665
SSom ©Idrnif^ eingefun^en*
^elL
3GBanfen auc^
5)ie SBerge felBfl? (gg pe^t nic^tg fejt auf ©rbem
4. Stufsug, 3. ©cenc. H?
etuffi.
5{u(^ anberStro ioernimmt man SBimberbinge*
2)a f:|3ra(^ ic^ einen, ber Jdou 3Baben fam.
^in OJitter vooUU §u bem ,^onig relten, 1670
Unb untertregS Begegnet i^m ein <Bd)voaxm
SSon Ȥorniffen; bie fatten auf fein Olo^,
5)ag eg t)or SD^arter tobt ^u SBoben ftnft,
Unb er ju &u^e anfommt Bei bem ^bniQ.
^em ©d^trad^en ifi fein ©ta(^el aud^ gegeBem 2675
51 r m g a r b lommt mit tnefireren ,^inbern unb jlellt jtd^ an ben (Sin?
gang be^ §ol)ln)egg.
©tuffu
^an beutet^S auf ein gro^eg !BanbegnngTiti, fr^^
9(uf f^njere 5^^aten njiber bie 01atur» ^^•-•^^v
5i:eIL
^ergleid^en ^aten Bringet jeber ^ag;
^ein aSunber^ei^en Braud^t fte ju i?er!unben.
©tuffU
3a, irol^l bem, bet fein Selb Beftedt in 9lu:^, 2680
Unb unge!rdnft bal^eim ft^t Bei ben ©einem
3:eIL
& fann ber Srommfle ni^t im Srieben BleiBen,
aSenn eg bem Bofen S^ac^Bar nid^t gefiittt.
(XiU jie^^t oft mit unrui^iger (Enuartung nad^ ber §6^e be^ SBege^.)
©tuffi.
©e^aBt euc^ n^o^l — 3^r njartet :^ier auf jemanb*
^ae tW it^.
L 2
148 SBil^elm Xai
etuffu
gro^e ^cimfe^r ju ben (^urenl 2685
— 3|)r feib au8 Uti ? Unfer gndb'ger ^err,
S)ei: Sanbi?ogt, wirb noc^ ^eut t>on bort nvoaxUU
SB an brer (fcmmt).
Sen 33ogt crtrartet l^eut ni^t tttel;r* 5)ie ffiaffer
^inb au^getreten t»on bent grofen Otegett,
Uttb atle SBrutfen ^at ber (Strom jerriffen^ 2690
(%tU jie^t auf.)
5lrtngarb (fommt ijonudrtO^
®er Sanbtiogt f ommt ni(^t ?
©tuffl
(Suc^t i|)r tx)a0 an i'^u?
2lrmgarb»
51^ fretli^I
©tuffi
SBarum jietlet i:^r eu^ benn
3tt blefer l^o^Ien ©aff i^nt in ben ©eg?
^rmgarb*
'Sier tret(5^t cr mlr nic^t au0, er mu^ mic^ 1^5ren^
Srle^^arbt.
(fomntt eilfertig ben •^o^tiueg tjeraB unb ruft in bie ©cene.)
Wlan fa^^re aug bem SSeg — 3[)^eln gndb'ger ^err, 2695
£)er Sanbijogt, fommt bic^t l^lnter mix geritten,
(%zU gc^t ab.)
Qlrmgarb (leBIjaft).
®er SanbX)ogt !ommt!
(@te ge^t ntit t^ren ^inbern na^ ber »orbern <Scene. ©eftcr unb
iJlubolp^ ber §arra0 jeigen jic^ ju ^ferb auf ber §o^e be^ 3Beg^.)
4. Slufsug, 3. Scene. 149
©tuffl Ou Srlef^arbt).
SSie famt i^r bur^ bag aBaj|er,
®a fo^ ber ©trom bie SBrucfen fortgeful^rt ?
S'rief l^arbt
SBir ^aBen mlt bem ©ee cjefo^tett, JJreunb,
Unb fiird^ten un0 i?or feinem Qll^^entrajfer* 2700
©tuffu
3^r ttjart §u ®^if in bem genjalt'gen Sturm?
Srie|i:^arbt
I)aS njaren irir. S^eln !&eBtag ben!' id^ bran*
©tuffU
O bmt, erja^It !
Srief ^atbt
l^aft mi^, i^ mu^ SjorauS,
©en Sanbiiogt mnf i^ in ber SBurg i?er!unben.
(5H).)
©tuffu
2Bdr'n gute J^eute auf bem ©d^iff gettjefen, 2705
3n ©runb gefun!en trdr'6 mit SiJJann nnb S^auS;
Dem SSoI! !ann ireber SBaffer Ui nod^ Seuer*
(@r ftel^t fi^ urn.)
SBo fam ber SBaibmann ^in, mit bem ici^ f^rad^?
(®e:^t aB.)
©egter unb Oiubot^B ^^^ §arra3 ju $ferb.
©efler.
(BaQt, voa^ \1)x n^otlt, ic^ Bin beg Jtaiferg Wiener
Unb muf brauf benfen, tt?ie i^ \i)m gefatle. 2710
®r l^at mic^ nid^t inS i^anb gefd^itft, bem 3Sol!
3u f^meid^eln unb i^m fanft §u t^un — ©el^orfam
I50 SBil^elm 2;etL
^rtrartet er» ^er <Btxdi ift, oB ber SBauer
6otI »&etr feitt in bem l^anbe ober ber ,^aifer**
5( t nt g a r b»
3e^t Ifl ber QlugenHidf ! 3e^t Bring' i^'0 an I 3715
im^f)txt [id) furc^tfam.)
©efler.
3c^ f)aV ben «gut nid^t aufgefiecft ^u Qtttorf
2)e§ (S^erjeS njegen, ober urn bie ^cr^en
5)e8 SSoIf^ gu ))rufen; biefe !enn' i^ Idngjt.
3(^ l^aB' i^n aufgej!ecft, ba^ fte ben S^atfen
Wlix ternen Beugen, ben fie aufrec^t tragen — 2720
^aS UnBequeme ^aB' ic^ l^inge^flan^t
Qluf it;ren 2Beg, voo fie tiorBeige^n muffen,
2)af fie brauf po^en ntit bem ^ug^ unb fl^
^rinnern il^reS Ȥerrn, ben fie i^ergeffen*
mubol^:^,
2)a0 3SoIf ^at aBer boc^ genjiffe S^ec^te — 2725
® e p e r*
©ie aBjunjdgen ijl {e|t feine 8^it!
— ^eltf^ic^t'ge 2)lnge flnb im SEer! unb 3Berben ; - —
©a§ ^alferl^aua voiU n^ac^fen; tt)a0 ber SSater
1| ©lorretc^ Begonnen, mU ber (So^n i?otlenbem
©ieS fteine SSol! ifl: una ein ^tein im 2Beg — 2730
^0 ober fo — eg mu^ flc^ untern^erfen*
((Sie tootten tJoruBcr. 2)ie grau witft ft^ »or bem fianb^ogt nieber.)
5t r m g a r b,
SBarmt;er§ig!eit, 'gerr l^anbi^ogtl ©nabel ©nabel
©efler.
SKaa bringt i^r eud^ auf offner ©trafe mir
3n aOeg? — Suriicl!
4. 2fuftug, 3. ©cenc 151
Qlrmgarb^
S^ein S^ann liegt im ®efdngni§;
®ie atmett ffiaifen fd^reiti m^ a3rot)» ^a6t 2^it(eib, 2735
©eptenger t§err, mit unferm gro^en (Slenb!
SBer feib ifir? SBer ift euer 2^ann?
^ r m g a r b»
(Eixi armer
SSilb'^euer, guter ^err, t>om OtigiBerge,
5)er uBerm 5lBgrunb treg ba§ freie ®ra0
^Bmd^et i?on ben fc^rojfen Selfentrdnben, 2740
SCBo^in bag 3Sie^ ftc?^ nic^t getraut §u fleigen —
0lubol)3l^ Ount Sanb»cgt).
33ei ®ott, cm elenb unb erBdrmIi(^ !BeBcnI
3^ UtV m(i}, ge^t il^n IcS, ben armen 2^ann!
SCBag cr auc^ ©c^trere^ mag t)erfd;ulbet l^aSen,
(Strafe genug ip fein entfe^tid^ tganbwerf^ 2745
(3u bcr grau.)
^uc^ fott Olec^t irerben — 5)iinnett auf ber 3Burg
Silennt @ure SBltte — ^ler ijl nicl;t ber Drt»
51 r m g a r b,
0leitt, min, ii^ treic^e nicl^t i?on biefem ^lai^,
SBiS mir ber 23ogt ben S^ann jurucfgegeBen I
©c^ott in ben fec^^ten 3[ltonb liegt er im 3:;t;urm 2750
Unb garret auf ben C^ic^terf^ruc^ i?ergeBen0»
® e ^ I e r»
SGBeib, njotlt i^r mir ©etralt antt;un? *§intx)eg!
Qtrmgarb.
®erec^tig!eit, )i^anbt»ogt! 5)u ^ift ber Oit^ter
3m !i^anbe an M ^aifer^ ©tatt unb ©otteg.
15^ SBil^elm 3;eIL
%f)u' belne ^fltd^tl ^o bu ©etcd^ttgMt 2755
SSom Ȥtmmel l^ofefl^ fo erjelg' fte un^l
©e^Ier.
{Jortl ©(^afft bag freeze 33ol! ntir au§ ben Qlugen!
51 r m g a r b (greift in bie 3uget tea $ferbe^).
S^celn, tiein, iCb f)aU nic[)t0 mel^r ju i^errieren.
— ©u fotntnjt ni^t i?on ber ©teUc, S3ogt, ^Ig bu
^ix 0le(^t gef^roc^en — galte beine <Stirne, 2760
OloUe bie Qlugen, njie bu tritlfi — 3Bir flub
60 gren^enloS unglutfli^, bag n?ir nic^tS
SRad^ beinem Qoxn mel^r fragen —
® e p I e r«
SBeiB, tna^' $Ia|,
Ober mein 3flof ge^t u^er bid^ ^intceg*
^rmgarb,
^a^ e§ u^er mtc^ ba'^in ge^n — ^a —
(@ie rcift i!)re Winter ju S3obcn unb t^irft (ic^ mit if)nm t^m in
ben SSeg.)
Ǥier lieg' tc^ 2765
9^it ttietnen ^Inbern — Sag bie armeu SCBaifen
3Son beineS $ferbe6 ^guf ^ertreten txierbenl
"S^ ^0 ift bag 5(ergfle nic^t, voa^ bu get^an —
Olubolv^.
5BeiB, feib il;r rafenb?
^rmgarb (W%^ fortfa^renb).
5l!ratefl bu boc^ langfl
^a6 l^anb beg ^aiferg unter beine 5iige! 2770
4- Sfufsug, 3. Scene. 153
— Di^ Un nur ein SEeiB ! 3Bdr' iCi) m Wlann,
3^ mf te tro:^t tt?a3 SBeffereg, aU ^m
3m ©tauB gu liegcn —
(a}?an ^ort bie ^origc 2)?uji! imcber auf ber J&o^e be^ SBeg^, aber
gebdm^ft.)
©e^Ier.
SBo ftnb metne Jtned^te?
^an tetfe f!e t>on ^inncn ober ic^
SSergeffe mid^ unb tf)m, ira§ mic^ rcuet 3775
®le Jlnec^tc fonnen nic^t l^lnburd^, »§err;
®er »§o^tireg ip geft^errt burc^ eine »&o^jeit
©cfler,
^in atlju milber 'gerrfc&er Un ic^ tio^
©cgen ble0 SSoI! — 2)le Sungen flnb no^ fxti,
©a ijl no^ nid^t ganj, tt?ic eS foil, ge'Bdnbigt — 2780
5)0^ eg foU anbera n?erben, ic^ geloB' eS:
3c^ tt?iU i^n Bremen, biefen jtarten ^inn,
2)en fetfen ©eiji ber ffrei^eit mU ic^ Beugen,
^in neu ®e[e^ n^itt ic^ in biefen £anben
SSerfunbigen — 3^ voiU —
(@in $feil burd^bo^rt tl^n ; cr faf)xi mit ber §anb an3 §cq unb tclfi
jlnfen. SWit mutkx ^timmt,^
®ott fei mir gndblgl 2785
giubol^]^,
*gerr li^anbijogt — ®ott! SBag ifl ba0? SBol^er fam baS?
5lrmgarb (auffa:^renb).
SD^orbl jy^orb! ©r taumelt, flnft! (Sr ifl getrofen!
SDhtten ing ^erj l^at i^n ber $feil getroffenl
154 SBil^elm 3:eIL
3luboI^3l^ (f^nngt »cm $ferbe).
SSetd^' grdglid^ea (Sreignif — (^ott — ^err fitter —
9^uft bie ^r^armung ©otteg an — 3^r feib 2790
(Sin mmn M ^obe0 ! —
® e ^ I e r.
(Sjl »om $ferb :§eraB bent O^iibot^^ ^axxae in ben 5lvm gegtettet unb
h)irb auf ber 33anf niebergetajfen.)
(erfc^eittt cBcti auf bet ^otje be^ gelfcn).
©u fenttjl berx (Bc^u^en, fud^e feincn anbernl
&rei ftnb bie "gutten, flc^er ift bie Unfc^ulb
SSor bir, bu n^irft bem l^anbe nic^t me^r fc^abetu
(aSevf^iijinbet »on bcr §6^e. SSclf fturjt l^ercin.)
^tuffi (ttoran)
aBa0 giH ea l^ter? 2Bag l^at ftc^ gugetragen? 2795
Slrmgarb,
©er Sanbi?ogt ifi ijon einem $feit bur^fc^^offen^
35 ol! (itn ^ereinjliir^en).
SSer ift etfd^offen?
(Snbem bie 35crberj^en »ott bem S3rautjug auf bie (Scene Icmmtn, jinb
bie ^interjlen no^ auf ber §6^ie unb bie Wlnfxt ge'^t fort.)
Olubol^^ ber ^arraS*
(Sr J?erBtutet ftc^.
Sort, fc^afet »gutfe! ©e|t bem 2)^i?rber na^l
— SSertorner Wann, \o ntuf eS mit bir enben ;
©0^ meine aBarnung n^otttejl bu nic^t 'ij'mnl 2800
etuffi.
S3ei ®ott, ba liegt er Blei^ unb o^ne l^eBenl
4. Slufjug, 3. Scene. 155
SSiele ©tint men.
ffier i)ai bie ^at get^an ?
0lubolj3l^ ber ^axxaS.
maf t btefeg SSoIf,
2)a5 e6 bent 2)?orb SDJuP mad^t? I&agt fie f^treigen!
(3Kuiif Brici^t ^loi^ii^ aB, c3 fommt noc^ me^r 35o(f nac^.)
«§err )i!anbi?ogt, rebet, vomn i^x fonnt — tgaBt i^r
2J?ir ntc^ta me:^r §u i^ertrauen?
(®cf ter ^IBt Sei^en mit bcr ^anb, btc er tnit ^efttgfeit toieberl^oft,
ba jie nid^t glei(^ »crt^anbcit ttjerben.)
ffiBo foil i^ ^in? 2805
— S^a^ ^u^nae^t? 3c^ i?erf!e:^' euc^ nic^t — D n^erbet
m^t ungebulbig — Sa^t bag Srbifc^e,
^en!t {e|t, eud^ mit bem »gimmel ju Jjerfo^^nem
(^ie ganjc ^oc^jcitgefeKfd^aft untfle^t ben (Stcvbenbcn mit cinem ful^I^
lofen ©raufcn.)
(Stitfft
©ie:^, n:te er Blei^ njirb — 3e|t, {e|t tritt ber ^ob
3^m an bag «§erj — bie -^ugcn ftnb geBroc^en. 2810
5lrmgarb (^eBt cin ^inb eun^cr).
©e'^t, ^inbcr, trie ein SGiit^eric^ ijerfc^eibet I
Olubol^^l) ber ^arraS,
ffiBa^nflnn'ge SQeiBer, ^aU i^x fdn ©efii^I, -1 w tt
©a^ i"^r ben SBUcf an biefem ©d^recfnip n:eibet? ' "
»§elft — leget «§anb an — <Bkf)t mix niemanb M,
©en ©c^mer^eng^jfeil i^m au3 ber SBrujl ju gie^n? 2815
SBeiSer (tretcn guriic!).
SBir il^n Berii^ren; n?elc^en ®ott gef^Iagen?
156 SBit^elm Sell.
fflud^ treff* eud^ unb 3Serbammni^ ! vse'^^-*
(3ieC)t bag (B6^mxU)
©tuffi (fdHt iljm in ben 5lrm).
SKagt eg, *&cn !
^u'r ^Batten l^at etn ^nbe. ®er ^ijrann
5)ea )&anbeS ifl gefatlem SKir erbulben
^eine ©enjalt me^r. SBlr ftnb freie a^enf^eiu 2820
21 lie (tumuItuarif(J^).
2)ag Sanb ijl fret !
Olubol))^ ber ȤarraS*
3j^ e0 bal^in ge!ommen?
(5nbet bie Surd^t fo f^nett unb ber ©e^orfant?
(3u ben 3Bafen!ned^ten, bie l^ereinbringen),
3^r ^t bie graufent>otle ^^at be§ 2)^orb0
J:^ ®ie l^ier gefc^e^en — »§iilfe ijl umfonjl —
SSergeHid^ ijl'0 bem S^orber na^jufe^en. 2825
Ung brdngen anbre ©orgen — 5luf, na^ ^iifinai^t,
5)a§ ttjir bem »^aifer feine S^efle retteni
^enn aufgelof t in biefem 5lugen6Ii(f
©inb atler Drbnung, aUer $fli^ten SSanbe,
Unb feineg 2l^anne§ 5!reu ijl ^u i?ertrauen. 2830
Snbem er mit ben SQBaffenfned^ten aBge^t, erfci^einen \td)i Barm^
]()erjige S3ruber,
21 r m g a r b,
^^la^ ! $Ia5 1 ®a fommen bie :6arml^erj'gett SBriiber*
©tftffi.
2)a0 D^fer liegt — bie Siabm jleigen nieber.
4. 2lufjug, 3. Scene. 157
aSarml^erjigc SSriiber
(fd^lief en etnen §aIBfrei^ urn ben Xo\>tm unb fingen in ttefem 3!on).
Sflafc^ tritt ber 3^ob ben S^enf^en an,
^g ifl i^m feine &rifi gegeBen,
®§ fiur^t i^n mitten in ber SBal^n, 3835
®g tei^t ii)n fort ijont JjoHen M^n.
SBereitet ober ni^t, gn ge^en,
@r mu^ i)or feinen SRic^ter jie'^en!
(Snbcm bie te^ten Seilen h)ieber:§oIt itjerben, fdfit ber SSor^ang.)
ARGUMENT.
ACT V.
In the first scene of the fifth act we find Ruodi the fisher-
man, Kiioni the herdsman, Werni the huntsman, and the
master mason, together with many other country people,
assembled on a common, near Altorf. They are about to
attack and demolish the Keep of Uri, which had been built
to oppress the people of the Canton, when Walther Fiirst
enters, and exhorts them to wait till they hear from Schwyz
and Unterwalden whether the people had been successful in
their work of liberation. The fury of the people of Uri is,
however,.no longer to be restrained. The tyrant is dead, and
they will destroy every vestige of tyranny. Whilst the people
attack the building from every side, Melchthal, who enters with
Baumgarten, informs Walther Fiirst that both Rossberg and
Sarnen lie in ruins ; that the Lady Bertha has been miraculously
saved by him and Rudenz from the flames, and that Landen-
berg, the cruel governor of Unterwalden, has for ever left the
country. A joyous scene now ensues. The hat, to which
the people were to bow, is brought in upon a pole. Several
voices exclaim that the emblem of the tyrant's power should
be destroyed and burnt, but Walther Fiirst's advice, that they
should preserve it as a lasting symbol of their freedom, prevails.
In the midst of the general rejoicing, mingled with some
apprehension concerning the retaliative measures of the Em-
peror, Stauffacher and Rosselmann enter, and announce the
dreadful news that the Emperor Albert had been assassinated
by his injured nephew, John, Duke of Austria. Whilst the
citizens, struck with awe, speak about the foul deed, and ex-
press their hope that the new Emperor will shelter them from
ARGUMENT. I59
the vengeance of Austria, the Sacristan introduces a messenger,
who brings a letter from Queen Elizabeth, the widow of the
murdered sovereign, imploring the three Cantons, Schwyz, Uri,
and Unterwalden, to assist loyally in delivering the murderers .
into the hands of the avenger. But the Swiss scorn the idea
of hunting down those who never injured them. They will
not triumph in the Emperor's fall, but they will never lend
their aid to avenge his death. With this answer the Imperial
messenger is dismissed, and Stauffacher summons the people to
repair to the dwelling of Tell, *to greet the saviour of the
country.'
The second scene passes in Tell's cottage. His wife Hedwig
rejoices with her two children, Walther and Wilhelm, in
the happy issue of the event which threatened to be so fatal
to them, and in the deliverance of the country by their own
father, when Wilhelm calls the attention of his mother to the
appearance of a person at the door of their cottage. The
stranger, who wears the garments of a holy friar, is invited to
enter and to refresh himself; but Tell's wife soon discovers, by
his demeanour and looks, that he is no monk. Suddenly Wal-
ther exclaims that his father draws near, and the two boys run
to meet Tell, who is received by Hedwig with joyful emotion.
For a moment her joy is marred by the recollection of the
terrible deed which Tell has done, and she drops his hand ;
but he exclaims with firmness and animation that * his hand
has shielded his wife and children from violence, and has set
his country free ; he can, therefore, freely raise it in the face
of heaven.* At these words the monk gives a sudden start,
and Tell becomes aware of his presence. By some hints
which the stranger lets fall. Tell discovers that he sees
before him Duke John, the murderer of his Imperial uncle.
The terror-stricken Tell hastily sends away his wife and his
children, and, when left alone with the Duke, he indignantly
repudiates the idea that his own act has anything in common
with that of the Duke. He was impelled by self-defence in
acting as he did, whilst Duke John was driven to his crime by
l5o ARGUMENT.
mere ambition. Still Tell will not let him go away in utter
despair, and so he advises him to repair to Rome, there to ease
his laden soul by a free confession of his guilt to the Pope.
. After having directed the assassin on his way to Italy, the
sound of the Ranz des Vaches is heard from without, and
Hedwig rushes in, announcing the approach of her father,
with the exulting bands of the Confederates. Tell bids his
wife treat the stranger hospitably, and the latter retires.
The scene now changes into the valley before the cottage
of Tell, who is hailed by a large crowd of his countrymen as
their liberator. Rudenz and Bertha also appear. The latter
asks to be received into the League of the Swiss, and the
former declares that all his serfs shall henceforth be free.
Silnfter Slufsug.
©rfte ©cene.
Oeffentli^cr ^U^ Bei 5lltorf.
3m J&intergrunbe rc(^t3 tic geile 3^ing Uri mlt bcm nod^ j!e'^enben
S3augenxfle UJte in ber britten (Scene bc^ erjien 5lufjuc^3 ; tinf^ cine
5lu^fic^t in toicte S3crge "^incin, auf hjelc^cn alien ©tgnalfeuet Brennen,
(S^ ijl cBen Xao^t^anlxud^, ©tocfcn ertonen au$ \>crfc^icbcnctt gemen.
Oluobi, ^nont, SBerni, Wlti^tx (Steinme^ unb mcU
anbere fianbleute, au^ SKeiber unb Jfinber.
muobu
^if)t i1)x ble Seuerflcjnale auf ben SBercjen ?
© t e i n m e fe»
•§5rt il^r bie ©loden bruBen uBerm SBalb? 2840
Oluobt
©ie ffeinbe flnb ^eriacjt
© t e i n m e §♦
S)ie SBurgen flnb erokrt
muobu
Unb njir ini Sanbe llrl bulben no^
5(uf unfenn SBoben ba6 ^^ranncnfc^Io^ ?
©inb mx ble Se^ten, bie fl^ fret erflaren?
i62 aeil^elm JSell.
© t e i n m e i»
I)a0 3 0(5^ \oU jle^en, bag ung ganngen n^oHte? 2845
5luf, telpt eg niekr!
S^ieber! nieberl nieber!
01 u b i.
SBo ijl ber ©tier Jjon Uri?
©tier i?on Urt.
'^ler. Sa0 fott id)?
atuobu
©teigt auf ble tgod^trac^t, Ua^'t in euer »§orn,
2)a^ e0 n)eitfc^metternb in bie SBercje fc^ade, rUy^-^^v
Unb, jebeg ©cS^o in ben Selfenfluften 2850
.^ufn^ecfenb, fc^nell bie Scanner beg ©eBirgg
Bufammenrufe,
©tier »on Uri Qe:^! a&. Saltier gurjl fcmmt
SBalt^er gitrfi.
Ǥaltet, Sreunbe! Ǥartet!
0lo(^ fe^It un8 j^unbe, voa^ in Untertralben
:::// Unb ©(^njijs gefc^e^em )iJa^t ung SBoten erfl
^rtt?arten.
Oluobi*
SKag erwatten? ©er ^i)rann 2855
3jt tobt, ber Siag ber Srei^eit ifl erfc^ienem
©teinmeg.
3|l'g ni^t genug an biefen flammenben SBoten,
^ie ringg ^erum auf alien 95ergen leuc^ten?
5- ^lufjug, I. Scene. 163
muobu
Jtommt cKe, fommt, legt Ȥanb m, 3^dnner imb SBeiBer!
SSrec^t baa ©eriifte! <BpxmQt ble 33ogen! Oieigt 2860
2)ie SDiauern eini .^eln ©tein Heilj' auf bem aubevm
© t e I n m e !♦
©efeUen fommt! $Gir l^atjen'0 aufgetautl
aBir ujiffen'a ^u jerfiorem
Otlle.
Jtommt, reif t nieber 1
(©ie jlurjcn jtd^ \)cn aflcn ©eiten auf ben S3au.)
SKalt^er ffurjl. .
^cB fantt fie nicbt mcl^r Mteti. -'^ ^"^
@a ift im ^aiif, 3c^ faun fie nic^t mel^r ^alkn.
SWeld^tljal mib S3aumgarten fommcn.
5Sa§ ? (Ste'^t bie SBurg noc^, imb S^top (Savnen tiecjt 2865
3n 5(f^e, unb ber OlopBerg ift cjeBroc^en?
mali^tx gurfl.
©eib i:^r e0, SU^dc^t^at? SBringt i:^r im3 bie ffreit;eit?
'BaQtf f!nb bie i^anbe aUe rein t»om &einb?
2)^ e I c^ t :^ a I (untarmt i^n).
iJlein ifl ber SBoben, Sreut eud^, alter 33atci:!
.3u biefem QIugenHicfe, ba ti^ir reben, 2870
3fi fein ^ijrauu me^r in ber ©c^ii^ei^er Sanb«
aSalt^er fffir^
D f^re^t, trie njurbet i^r ber SBurgcn m^c^tig?
a^^elc^t^aL
^er SRubenj trar e§, ber baa ©arner ©c^Iop
Wit mannlid; lu^^ner ^aget^at gen^anm
M 2
i54 SBil^elm ScIL
Sen Sfloperg l^att* i(^ S'lac^tS ^uijor erfliegett. 3875
— ©0^ l^oret, m^ gef^a^. 5(lg rrir bag (S^Iog,
33om Seinb geleert, nun freubig ancie^itnbet^
2)le fflamme :praffelub fc^on jum ^immel [c^tug,
2)a fiur^t ber 2)iet^etm, ®epler3 S3uB, :^eri)or
Unb raft, bap bie SBrunecferin tjerkenne* a88o
ffialt^etr ffurjl.
©ere^ter ®ott!
(Wlaii i}Qxt bie SSalfen be^ ©erujle^ l^uvjem)
3[)?eIc^t^aL
®ie n?ar eS [e(13fl, n;ar ^eimli^
«§icr eingefc^Toffen auf be3 23ogt3 ©cl^eip*
Sflafenb erl;o5 ftc^ Sluben^ — benn ttjir ^ortcn
2)ie ^alfcn f^on, bie feften ^foften flur^en
Unb aii^ bcm O^auc^ ^erx)or ben Saiumertuf 2885
2)er Unglucffeligen*
ffialt^er Suvfl.
<Sie ifl gerettet?
2)a gait ©efc^n^inbfein unb ©ntfc^Ioffen'^eit !
— SBcir' et n u r unfer ^belmann getrefen,
SBir l^dtten unfer !iJe6en n:oI;l gelieSt;
So^ er n;ar unfer ^ibgenop, unb 33ert^^a 2890
^:^rte bag 23 ol! — <So feften njir getrofl
^ag Sekn bran unb jlur3ten in bag Seuer^
SBalt^er gur^
©ie i|l gerettet?
2)?eld)t^ar.
®ie ifl'a. Otubenj unb i^,
SBir trugen fie fet^anber aug ben glammen,
:5r:.
5. Slufjug, I. Scene. 165
Unb l^inter unS fiel frad^enb ba§ ©eBdlt 2895
— Unb ie|t, al§ fte gerettct flc^ erfannte,
2){e 5lugen auffc^lug gu bem 'gimmelgli^t,
3e|t prjte mir ber &reil^err an baa «§er§,
Unb fc^treigenb n:arb ein 95unbnig j;e|t 6efcl;troren,
S)a§ feft ge^drtet in be^ Seuerg @Iut^ 2900
SSeftel^en njirb in aHen S^id\aU^xolm —
Saltier Surft.
SBo ifl ber !^anben6erg?
2J^eI(^tl^aL
Uetjcr ben 93n"inig.
0li(^t lag'g an mir, bag er baa ^ic^t ber Qlucjen
2)ai?ontrug, ber ben 93ater mir geSIenbet.
^a^ jagt' ic^ i'^m, erreid;t' i^n auf ber ffluc^t 2905
llnb rif i^n gn ben Siigen meinea SSatcra.
©efd^njungen uBer i^n njar fd^on baa ©c^n:ert;
93on ber SBarmtjergigfeit bea Blinben ©reifea
(Srl^ielt er fiei)enb baa ©efci^enf bea l^eBena^ ^ ^ ^ ,
Ur:j3l^ebe fd)trnr er, nie gururf jn fe^ren; 2910
(Sr trirb fie l^alten; unfern 5(rm f)at er
©eftip.
SBaltl^er gurfl,
SBo^t eud^, bag il^r ben reinen ©ieg
SDiit aBIute nid;t gefc^dnbet !
Jt i n b c r
(citen ntit Xrummem bc^ ©erujlca uBcr bie (Scene),
ffreil^eit 1 greil^eit !
(2)a3 J&om »on llri toirb mit S^Jad^t geBIafen.)
SSaltl^er 5urp.
(Se'^t, trelc^ ein Seft ! 2)ea ^agea irerben ftd^
2)ie ,^inber ^pai ala ®rei[e noc^ erinnerm 2915
i65 SSi{f)eIm Siell.
(SKdbd^en Brlngen ben ^nt auf ciner (Stance gctragcn; Me ganje
@cene futtt ftc§ mit SSol! an.)
9^ u b i.
^ier ifl ber ^iit, bem trir ung Beugen marten.
SB a II m g a r t e n.
®eBt un§ SBcfc^eib, ti^aS bamit trerben foil*
@ott ! Unter blcfem ^ute ftanb mein ^nfcL
^t^xtxt <&timmcn.
3cvjiort bag ^enfmal ber ^iijrannenma^t !
3na Seuer mit i[;m !
SBalt^er ffurp,
01etn, la^t i^^n aufBetija^mi ! 2930
5)er ^^[jrannel mu^t' er jum SBerfjeug bienen,
(gr fod ber ffreit^elt ctrlg B^i^^n fein!
(^ie Sanbleute, 9)?anner, SfBeiBer unb ^inber ftc^en unb ft|en auf
ben S3a(fen be^ jevko^enen ©crufle^ ntalerifd^ gru^)?irt in einem
grojjen §albfreig um^er.)
60 ftc'^ett tx)ir nun fro^Iic^ auf ben ^rummcrn
®er ^^rannet; unb .^errltc^ ifl'a erfuHt,
$Ba0 n?ir im 3lutli fd^n?uren, (Sibgenoffcm 2925
aBatt^er Sftrft*
$Da0 SCBerf ifl angefangen; nld?t tiotlenbet.
Se^t ijt un0 Wlni^ unb fefle @intracf;t not^,*
^enn, felb gen^i^, nic^^t fdumen n^lrb ber Jtonig,
2)en 5$:ob 3U rdd^en feineS SSogtS, unb ben
SSertriefcuen mit ®en?alt pixM gu fu^rcn* 2930
a^^el^t^al.
^r jie^' l^eran mit feiner t§em§mad^tl
5- Slufjug, I. ©cenc. 167
3fl an^ bem Snnern boc^ ber ffeinb Jjeriagt;
2)em Seinb i?on 5Iu^ett troKen trir Begegnen^
(H u b i»
01ur tren'ge 5^dffe offnen i^m bag Sanb, .
Sie txotten txilr mlt unfern !i^eiBern becfen, 2935
SSaumgarten.
^ir fmb tiereinigt burc^ ein ctrig SBanb,
Unb feine ^geere fotlen un§ ni^t fc^retfen !
(01 off elm a nn unb ©tauffac^et fommcn.)
9l5ffelmann (im ©intreten).
^a6 tnb beS «gimmel0 furc^t^are ©eric^te*
)i^anbleute»
aSaa gltt'S ?
Sfloffelmann*
3n txiclc^en Seiten leBen voix I
SBaltl^er gurji.
(Sact an, voa^ ijl c3 ? — *§a, feib if)x'Q, ^err SBerner ? 2940
aBc0 Wngt i:^r un8?
£ a n b I e u t e^
aBaa gift's?
Oloffelmann^
^ort unb erflaunetl
©tauffad^cr.
Son einer gro^en Sur^t fmb trir ^efreit —
01 5f f elm an tt*
^cr ^aifer ijl ermorbet*
^aU1)tx fffirfl.
©ndb'ger ©otti
(Sanbtcute tna^en cincn 5lufflanb unb umbrdngcn ben (Stauffad^cr.)
i68 SBil^elm 2;en.
^i^i nioglic^! SBo^er Urn tn^ biefe ,^unbe? 2945
©taxiffad^er,
^g ifl setrig, SSei 95riicf fiel MnxQ QlIBrec^t
5)urc^ 2^orber§ «§anb — ein 9lauBen§ti;ertI;er ^ann,
Set iragte fol^e grauent)one ^l;at?
©tauffac^er*
©ie tt?irb nod^ grauent>otler burc^ ben ^T^dter. 2950
^0 tijar fein S'leffe, feine^ SBruberg ,^tnb,
^erjog Sol^ann i?att <S(^n?aBen, ber'^ J?otl6rac!^te. 1
2)^eI^tl^aL 1
SBaS trteB il^n gu ber ^at beg QSatermorbS?
©taxiffac^er*
£»er ,^aifer |)ielt bag ijdterltc^e @rBe
©em ungebulbig SD^a^^nenbeit gitrucf; 2*55
@§ f)k% er benf i:^n gang barum ju furjen,
93?it elnem SSifc^ofgl^ut i:^n aBjupnben* .^^^.,,
SCBie bem axxd) fei — ber Sungling offnete ^ \
©er Saffenfreunbe tofem Sflat:^ fein D^r,
Unb mit ben ebein »§errn J?on ©fc^enBad^, 296c
93on ^egerfelben, i?on ber SKart unb $alm
SSefc^Iof er, ba er Ole^t nic^t fonnte finben,
©i^ 9la^' gu l^olen mit ber eignen *§anb»
aSalt^er ffiirp.
D, ftre^t, n?ic n?arb ba§ ©rdpU^e i?olIenb^t?
5- Slufjug, I. 6cene. 169
©tauffa^er*
2)er Jtontg xxti ^cxab i?om ©tein §u 23aben, 2965
©en 0tt;einfeIb, iro bie »&offtatt irar, gu jiel^n, fv^v*^ /tvtlt'^^cA
SWit i^m bie gurpen •galtS imb £eo^)oib ^
llnb ein ©efolge l;od;3etorner »§evren.
Unb alg fte faiuen an bie 01 eu^, Jvo man
5luf einer &al;re ftc^ Id^t lUerfe^en, 2970
©a brdngten fl^ bie SD^orber in bag ©^iff,
©a^ fte ben ^aifer i?oni ©efolge trennten,
5)rauf, al0 ber Siirfl bur^ ein geadert Selb
^inreitet — eine alte gro^e ©tabt
©oU brunter liegen aug ber «§eiben S^it — 2975
©ie alte ffefte «§aBgtog im ©eftc^t,
SSo feinea ©tannneg «§o^eit augijcgangen —
(Btb^t »§er^og «§anS ben ©old^ i^m in bie ^e^Ie,
Otubolv^ t>on ^a(m bur^rennt \l)n mit bem @)3eer,
Unb ©fd;enBac^ gerfpaltet i{;m bag ^Qan^ 2980
3)a^ er l^erunterfinft in feincm SBlut,
©emorbet t)on ben ©eincn auf bem ©einen,
5lm anbern lifer fat;en fte bie ^^ai ;
2)oc^, burd^ ben ©trom ge[d;ieben, fonnten fte
0lur ein o|)nmd(^tig SBe^gefd^rei er^efcen; 2985
5Im SBege a'Ber fa^ ein armeS SGeiB,
3n i^rem ©c^oDp tierBIutete ber Jtaifer*
2J?eIc^t:^aL
©0 i)at er nur fein frii^eg ®raB gegraBen,
©er unerfdttli^ alleS n:oUte l^akn!
©tauffa^er*
^in iinge^^eurer ©(^^recfen ifl im ^an't> um^er; 2990
©ef^errt ftnb aUe SPdffe beg ©c^irgg,
3ebn^eber ©tanb i?ertva^ret feine ©ren^en; (2-<*--'t^^^
I70 2BiH)etm 2;cfL
^ie arte 3un^ felBfl fc^Io^ H;rc ^^ore,
^ie bret^ig ^af)x lang ofen ftanben, ^u,
2)ie SJ^orber fitrc^tenb «nb noc^ nie^^r — bte S^ac^er, 2995
2)etttt, mtt beS SSannea glu^ Ben^affnet, fommt
2)er Ungarn ,^onigitt, bte firenge Qlgne^,
2)ie nic^t ble 3Wilbe fennet %e0 ^arten
®efd;Ied^tg, beg SSatera foniglid^eg 33rut
3u rdd^en an ber Wlbx'o^x Qan^^m (Btamm, 3000
%n i^ren .^ne^tett, .^inbern, ^inbe^finbern,
3a, an ben (Steinen i:^i*er ©d)Ioffer feI6|l.
©efd^njoren l^at fie, ganje B^wgungen
«§inaB^ufenben in beg 33aterg ©ra'B,
3n SBIut ft^, n?le in S[^aientl;au, gu Baben* 3005
SSel^ man, tt)o ft^ bie WoxUx l^tngeftiic^tet ?_
©tauffa(^er^
©ie f!o^en algSalb nac^ ^oUbxa^Ux Xijat
Q(uf funf t)etf^lebnen <Btxa^tn augetnanbcr,
Uttb trennten fl^, urn nie ft^ me^r gn fe'^n —
tgergog So^ann foil irren im ©eBirge. 3010
SBalt^er ffur^
<So trdgt bie Unt^at i^nen feine Srud^t !
Olad^e tragi !eine gru^t! <Bi<^ felBft ifi fie
^ie fiird^tertid^e 0la|)rung, it)r ®enuj5
Sfl Wloxh, unb il^re ©dttigung bag ©raufcn.
(©tauffac^er*
©en SD^orbern Bringt bie Unt^^at nic^t ©etrinn; 3015
2Bit aBer Bred)en mlt ber reinen Ǥanb
©eg Blut'gen ??rei?elg fegeni^otCe grud;t.
©enn einer gro^en Surest finb trir entlebigt;
5- 2luf3itg, I. ©cene. 171
©efatlen ifl ber ??rei^eit grogter ffeinb, c ' "^ xj^^-c^
Unb trie t>erlautet, tx)irb bag ^ce^ter ge^^n ^^-^"""^ ""3020
Qlug ^aBa^urgg ^au0 ju einem anbern (^tamm;
^a0 Sfleid^ n?itl feme aBa^^lfrei^elt Be^au)3ten.
5©alt^er gur|l unb 2)^e:^teve.
SSerna^^mt if)x tt:ag?
©tauffa^er.
©er ®raf 'oon £uremBurg
Sfl i>on bert me|>rjlen (Stimmen fc^on Bejeic^net
SSalt^er gurjt.
SBo^I itn§, ba^ wlr ^eim Olei^e treu ge'^altcn; 3025 "^
Sefet ijt ju ^ofen auf Oered^tigfeit 1 ~"
<Stauffa(^er»
3)cm neuen «gertn t^un ta)3fre ffreunbe not"^ ;
dx njirb ung f^irmen gegen Deflreic^g Olad^e*
(^tc fianbleute umavmcn cinanbcr.)
©igrijl mit einem Oleic^^boten.
©igrifl.
'Sier flnb M ^anM rriirb'ge DUx^axDpkx.
Oloffelmann unb SJ^e^rere*
©igrifl, n?a3 gibt'S?
©igrijl*
^in 0lei^g6ot' Mngt bie0 ®cl)rei5en. 3030
Qllle Ou 2Bam}er giiril).
trkec^t unb lefet.
SBalt^er giirji (aef't).
„2)en 'Sefc^eibnen SJ^annern
„35on Uri, ©c^nji^j unb Untern^alben Bietet
„2)ie ^onigin (SlgBet^ ®naV unb atlee ©uteS."
172 SBtlE,elm 3:cll.
93 1 e I e 1 i m m e n.
Sag anU bic ^ontgin? 3I;r Olelc^ iji auS,
SBaltljer gurjl (acf't).
„3rt il^rem gro^en ^ct^merj xmb SSitttrenleib, 3035
„5Sorein ber Blut'ge i&in[d;eib xi)xt§ «§enn
„©ie ,^onigin i?erfe^t, gebenft ftc ttoc^
„^er altert ^reii' unb !iJicB' ber @^t):vjjerlanbe/'
3n i^rem ®Iuc! ^ai fte baa nic get^an*
Sloffclmann.
em ! leajTet l^orcn ! 3040
2Baltf)er gurjl (ticf't).
„Unb f!e i?erf!e^t flc^ gu bcm treuen SSolf, ^ :
„^a^ e0 gere^ten Ql^f^eu trerbe tragen
„33or ben t>erflu(^ten ^^dtern biefer X^aL
„^arum eni^artet fte i;)on ben brei Ji^anben,
„^a^ fie ben SJ^orbern nimmer SSorfc^uB tt;un, 3045
„QSielme'^r getreuric^ ba^u I}elfen irerben,
„<Bu augjuliefern in beg 0tdd^erg ^ganb,
„5)er 2:itV gebenfenb unb ber atten ©unfl,
„2)ie fte t>on 9^uboI^:^g giirpen^auS em^jfangen."
(Setd^cn bc6 XtrnDiflen^ unter ben Sanbleuten.)
93iele<Stimnien.
Scr ^W unb ©unfl ! 3^50
©tauffa^er,
9Bir l^akn ®unji em^fangen i?on bent SSater;
2)o(^ n^effen ru^men n:ir unS t)on bem 6ol§n?
^at er ben SBrief ber grelt;eit ung Befldtigt,
5Sie t>or i^m atte »^ai[er boc^ get^an?
5. Slufjug, I. ©cene. 173
J^ai et gert(^tet na^ gcred^tcm <Spxn^ 3055
Unb ber tordngten Unfd^ulb ®^u| i^erlie^n?
^at er au^ nur bie SBoten troUen ^5ren,
2)ie trir in unfrer Qlngft gu i^ni gefeubet?
SRlc^t ein0 i?on biefem aUett l^at ber Jlonig
Qln unS gett;an, unb ^tUn n?ir nic^t felBfl 3060
UnS Oled^t ijerfc^afft mit eigner mut:^'ger *§anb,
3^n tu^rte unfre 0lot^ nic^t an — 3^m ©an! ?
0lic^t 33anf ^at er gefdt in biefen ^fedlern,
^r panb auf einem ^o^^en $la§, er fonnte
(Sin 23ater feiner 33olfer fein; boc^ i^nt 3065
©eflel eg, nur ju forgen fiir bie <8einen»
2)ie er geme^rt ^at, mogen urn it;n njeineni a^c^r-cA^'^^^
aBaIt:^er Sxix%
SBir ttjoUen nid^t fro^Iocfen feine^ ga((8,
0Zid)t beS em)3fangnen SBofen Jegt gebenfen,
5ern fei'3 t?on unS! 2)od^ baf roir rdc^en foEten 3070
2)eS ^oniga ^^ob, ber nie ung ©uteg ti)at,
Unb bie ijerfolgen, bie ung nie SetruOten,
©aS giemt un3 nic^t unb njitt ung ni^t getti^ren*
Sie ^kh wiU ein freieg D^fer fein;
©er 5!ob entBinbet t)on er^njungnen $flid;ten, 3075
— 3^ni ^aUn njir nid^tg njeiter §u entric^ten.
Unb weint bie Jtonigin in \f)m ,^ammer,
Unb ftagt i^^r mlX)tx (S^merj ben ^immel an,
<Bo fe^t i'^r ^ier dn angflSefreiteg S3ol!
3u eBen biefem ^immet banfenb fle()en — 3080
ffier ^^rdnen ernten n^itt, mu^ Sie6e fden.
174 SBil{)elm XelL
©tauffa^er (gu bem 93olf).
So Ijt ber ^ett? ©ofC er alTein una fe^len,
•Der uufrer gt:ei:^eit (Stifter ift? 5)aa ©rij^te
^at er get^an, ba0 i^artcfte erbulbet,
^ommt atle, !ommt nac^ feinem Ǥau0 ju traKen, 3085
Unb rufet ȤeU bem Olettcr i?on un0 aUm*
(5l(Ie 9el)en aB.)
3^v>eite Scene.
Xtii^ §au5flur.
(£in geuer Brennt auf bem §etb. ^ S)ie offenpe^enbe !ll;ure geigt iu^
grcie.
J&cbiDtQ. SBalt^cr imb SQSit^elm.
Ȥ e b n^ i g.
^eut fommt ber 5Sater, »^inber, Iiel?e ^inbcrl
(Sr leBt, ift frei, unb tcir ftnb frei unb alle^I
Unb euer aSater ift'g, ber'g )Banb cjerettet
Unb i^ 6in au^ ba^el gen?efen, SO^utter! 3090
SKi^ mug man auc^ mlt nennen. SSater^ ^Pfeil
@ing mir am J^eBen l^art ijorki, unb id^
«gaB' nic^t gejittert.
Ȥ e b tt) i g (umarmt i^u).
3a, bu Biji mir tinebet
©egeBen I S^eimal l;a6' icl) bid; cjeBoren !
3«seimal litt ic^ ben Si^utterfc^merj urn bic^! 3095
5. Slufjug, 3. Scene. 175
®3 ijl Jjortei — i^ l^aB' euc^ Beibe, Beibe !
Unb ^eute !ommt ber lieBe 3Sater ix)ieber!
@in ajicnc^ erf^eint an bcr ^au^t^ute,
SBil^elnu
(Sie^, SUJutter, fte^ — bort pe^^t ein frommer SSruDer ;
©ewi^ n:lrb er urn elne ®aBe fle^n*
»§ e b ti3 i g»
^\xf)x^ i^n l^erein, bamlt n?ir i^rt erquidcn; 3»oo
^r fu^r^, ba^ er in^ greuben^aug gefommen.
(®e§t i^iuein unb fommt laVo tnit cincm ^e^er toieber.)
SBil^elm Gum SWon^).
Jtommt, guter ^ann. ©ie 2)?utkr u^iU eu^ hhn.
Saltier.
Jtommt, ni^t euc^ an^ tmb ge^t geftdrft ijon banneit.
2^ n c^.
(fd^cu um'^etBIicfcnb tnit jcrjiottcn Sugen).
5Bo Bin tc^? ©aget an, in icelc^em £anbe?
ffiSalt^cr.
©eib i^r t»erirret, bag i^r bag nic^t trigt? 3105
3^r feib ^u aBiirglen, Ȥerr, im Sanbe Uri,
SBo man ^ineinge^t in bag ©^cid^ent^aL
2J^ n c^.
dux ^ebtrig, ivclc^e jurucffcmmt.)
(Seib ii)x aHein? Sji euer »gerr ju ^aufe?
*& e b ti3 i g.
3^ ewart' i'^n eBen — boc^ trag ijl eucS^, 2}Zann?
3^r fe^t nic^t aug, aU o5 if)r ©utea Bracelet 31 10
2Ber i^r auc^ feib, i^r feib Bebiirftig, ne^mt!
i^dd)t il;m ben S3ed;er.)
il6 SBil^cIm Zt\l
2^ n ^.
SBie m^ metn led^^cub ^erj na^ Hlwno^ fc^mac^tet,
^x^i^ xu^x' x^ m, Big x^x mir gugefagt —
*§ e b nj { g.
93eru^rt tneitt »^Ieib ni^t, tretet mir nic^t na^,
SBteiBt feme jie^^n, irenu i^ cuc^ ^oren [oU* 31 15
2li 5 n (^.
S5ei biefem ffcuer, baS I;ier cs'^^lx^ lobcrt^
SSel eurer ^inber t^eurem ȤaiH3t, baS ic^
Umfaffe —
((Jrgrcift bie ^naljcn.)
*§ e b tx) i g^
^ann, irag ftnnet i:^r? 3un"tc!
SSon tncinen Jtutbern! 3^r felb hxxx Wlhn^\ 3^r feib
(S3 nic^t! ^er Sriebe tro^nt in biefem ^^leibe; 3120
3tt eurett 3ii9^n tro^nt ber griebe nic^t*
3c^ Bin ber ungliicffeligfte ber Sl^enfc^en.
^ e b n? i g»
®aS Ungtu^ f^ric^t getraltig jn bem ^er^en;
5)oc^ euer SBIicf fc^nurt mir baS 3nnre gu*
SBalf^er (auf)>ungenb).
SWutter, ber 3Sater!
(dilt ^inau<5.)
^ebnjig.
D mein OottI
(SDiK na^, jittert unb ^dlt fic§ oxi.)
aSil^elm (cilt nad^).
^er 33ater! 3135
5- Slufjug, 2. Scene. 177
^alt^tx (braupcn;.
SBi^elttt (brau^en).
SSater, lieBer 33ater!
^ell (braufen).
^a tjin i^ ii:leber — 5Bo if^ cure 3)tuttcr?
(Xrctcn :f)erein )
^a fle^t flc an ber 5^iir unb !ann ni^t n?citcr;
60 jittert ftc "oox (Scl;vetfcn unb t?or Sreube.
D Ȥebtrig! ^ebtcig! Slftutter meiner ^inbcr! 3130
®ott i^at gel^olfen — un0 trennt fein ^i^rann mt^x.
Ǥebn3ig (an feinem ^alfc).
O 3:eai ^etl! SKelc^e -^ngfi Hit ic^ urn bi^!
(3Kond^ toirb aufmerffam.)
33ergig fte j[e|t unb leBe nur ber Sreube!
2)a Bin ic^ n^ieberl ^ag i|l meinc Ǥutte!
3c!^ fte^e njieber auf bem S^einigen! 3135
SSill^elm,
3Bo akr l^ajl bu belne Qlrmt3ru|i, 3Sater?
3c^ W ^^ ^^^^*
©u trirfl f!e nic me^r fe^^iu
Qln l^eiPger ©tdtte ift fte au\hmai)xtl
@ie tt?irb l^lnfort gu feiner Sagb mei^r bienen^
N
178 SBil^elm 3:elL
Ǥ e b nj i g.
(Xxitt lUxM, Idft feme §anb to0.)
aSag erfc^redt bic^, lieBeg SeiS? 3140
Ǥ e b n? i g*
2Bie — tx) i e f ommji bu niir irieber ? — 2)ie[e ^anb,
— Sarf i^ fte faffen ? — 5)iefe ^anb — ©ott!
^ell fteq^i^ unb mut:^tg).
*§at eud^ ijett^eibigt unb ha^ Sanb gerettet;
3(^ barf fie fret ^inauf gum Ǥimmel l^eBen*
(SKcnc^ nta^t etne rafc^e SBelcegung, er erBtidEt il^n.)
aSer ijt ber SBruber l^ier?
«& e b tt) i g,
^^, ic^ tierga^ il^n! 3145
®^3rl^ bu mil il^m, mir graut in feiner S^a^e.
mbn^ (tritt nd^er).
<^elb il^r ber X^U, burcS^ ben ber !^anbi^ogt pel?
S)er ^in ic^, i^ JjerBerg' eg feinem SO^^eufd^en.
3^r feib ber 5:etl! 5{^, eg iji ©otteg *ganb,
2)ie unter euer ©ac^ niic^ ^at gefu^rt* 3150
JJ^ell (tttift iijxi wit ben 5lngen),
3^r felb Urn WonCi}\ S^er feib i^r?
Si^ijn^.
3^r erfd^Tugt
©en Sanbijogt, ber euc^ SBofeg f^at — 5lud^ id^
'SaB' elnen Seittb erf^lagen, ber mir Olec^t
5- 5lufsug, %. Scene. 179
3Serfagte — et njar euer geinb, mz nielner —
%^ :^a^' bag :^anb i?on il^m ^Befreit.
^ell Gurucffa:^renb).
3^r feib — 3155
^tttfe^ett I — Jtlnber I Jtinber, ge'^t ^inein !
@e^, lieBeS SSeiBI ®e^, ge^ I — UnglMlid^er I
3^r wdret —
Ȥ e b tx) i g,
©ott, veer ijl eg?
^elL
ffrage nic^tl
gott, fort I ®ie ^Inber burfen ea nlc^t l^orem
@e^ aug bem ^aufe — ireit ^intreg — 2)u barfji 3160
01id^t unter einem ©ad^ mit biefem tco^nem
^ e b tx> t g.
2Be|) mir, rcag iji baS? ^ommtl
(®e^t mit ben Jlmbem.)
3:en Gu bem 2r(cnd^).
Sl^r feib ber Ǥerjog
3Sott Deflerreid^ — 3^r feib'a I S^r l§a6t ben ^aifer
©rfd^lagen, euern Dl^m unb «§errn»
3o^anne0 ^arriciba.
(Sr njar
5)er JRduBer meineg ©t^eg.
P ^uern D^m . 3165
(Srfc^Iagen, euern Jtaifer! Unb eud^ trdgt
2)ie @rbe nod^l ^u^ leu^tet noc^ bie Sonne!
^J a r r i c i b a»
^eU, l^ort mic^, %%' i:^r —
N 2
i8o SBil^elm 3;ell.
33on bcm SBIute ttiefenb
®e3 SSatermorbcS unb be0 ^aifermorbS,
5Bagfl bu ^u tretcu in meiu reined 'Qan^l 3170
^u iragft'g, beln 5(ntlil| cincm guten SJteufc^en
3u geigcn unb bag ©aftrei^t gu fcege^ren?
$ a r r i c i b a»
SBei eu(^ l^offt' ic^ SBarm^eqicjfeit ju jinben;
5lud^ ti)x na^mt Ota^' an eurem geii^b*
Ungluc!ltc6er !
5)atf|l bu ber ^^rfu^t Hut'ge (S^ulb i^ermengen 3175
?}^it ber gere^ten ^oti)mi)x elne§ SSatera?
«&afl bu ber t^inber lieBeg *&au:|3t i^ert^^eibigt ?
S)e§ t&erbeg «§eiligt^um bef^ugt? bag (Sc^recfli^pc,
SDag Segte i?on ben 2)einen aBgen^e^rt?
— Sum «©immei l^eb' ic^ meine reinen ^dnbe, 3180
SSerflu^e bic^ unb beine %^at — ©erdc^t
^aW i^ ble ^eilige 0latur, bie bu
©efc^dnbet — SRic^tg i^dV ic^ mlt bir — ©emorbet
Ǥaft bu, Ic^ l^ab'mein i^l^euerfteg i)ert:^eibigt
5^ a r r i c i b a*
3l^r fio^t mid^ i?on euc^, ixoftU^, in 3Ser^treiflung ? 3185
Wi^ fagt eln ©raufen, ba ic^ mit bir rebe»
Sort! 3Banble beine fiirc^terli^e 6tra^e!
Sag rein bie 'Siitte, voo bie Unf^ulb njo^nt!
53 a r r i c i b a (n?enbct jid) gu ge^en).
©0 faun ic^, ujib fo twin id^ ni^t me^r leBen!
5. Slufjug, 2. Scene. i8i
Unb boc^ erBanut mid^ belner — ®ott bc5 »§immeC0! 3190
(80 iung, i?ott folc^em abcligen ©tamm,
5)er S'ufel 0lubol:p^8, titclncS 'germ imb JtaiferS,
^Ig 2)^5rber fludjtig, ^kx an tneiner (B^votUt,
2)cg armeit SD^anneS — fle^enb unb t)cr^treifelnb —
(25crl;u[(t [xdi) ba^ ©cftc^t.)
$ a r r i c i b a*
D, ttjenn t'^r trcinen !onnt, la^t mein ©efd^lcC 3195
(^uc^ {ammern; eS ijl furd^terli^. 3^ Bin
^in gurft — i^ n^ar'g — i^ fonnU glucflic^ n^erben,
SBenn i^ ber SCBunfd^e llngebulb Bejirang.
^er 0leib jernagte mir bag «§erj — 3^ fal^
2)ie 3ugenb mcineS SSetterg )^eo:|3oIb 3200
®e!ront mit @:§re unb mit !&anb Belo^nt,
Unb ntic^, ber gleidjeS 5IItcrg mit i^m n?ar,
3n f!Iai)i[(^er UnmtinbiQfeit Qt^altm —
Unglucflid^er, njo^I fannte bi^ bein D:^m,
5)a er bir !^anb unb Seute treigerte! 3205
5)u felBfl mit rafter; "njilber SBa^nflnngt^at
0le(^tfertigf^ fur^tSar feinen n^eifen ©^luf.
— SBo ftnb bie Hut'gen 'gelfer beineS 2J^orbS?
^arriciba*
5Bo^in bie Olad^egeifler fie gefii'^rt;
3^ \a^ fie feit ber Un9liic!§t:^at nic^t trieber^ 3210
SBei^t bu, ba^ bid^ bie 5td^t i?erfoIgt, ba^ bu
®em Sreunb i?er6oten unb bem Seinb erIauBt?
d^-
i8a S33ilt)elm SelL
^antm t^ermeib^ i^ aUt offne (Stra^en,
^n feine ^iitte trag' i^ an^upo^m —
2)er SCBufle fe^f i^ meine (Sc^ritte ju; 3215
3[^ettt eignea ©c^recfni^ irr' ic^ burc^ bic SSerge
Unb fa^re fc^aubernb t)or mir felBj^ jurucf,
3eigt mir ein 9Bad^ mein ungludfeltg SBitb.
D, njenn i^r SPJitleib fu^It nnb 2J?enfc^Ii^!eit —
(SdUt »or i^m nieber.)
^ell (aBgctoenbct).
<St^i)t aufi 6te^t aufi 3220
$ a r r i c i b a*
SRic^t I6i6 il^r mir bie Ǥanb gerei^t jur ^gixlfe.
^ann ic^ eu^ ^elfen? ^ann'g eitt SD^enf^ ber <8iinbe?
3)oc^ l^e^^et auf — S©aa il^r auc^ ©rdgU^eg
SSeriiBt — S:^r feib ein 3)Zen[(^ — i^ Un ea aud^ ;
35om ^eltt foU feiner ungetroftet fd^eiben; 3225
3Bag ic^ ijermag, bag triU id^ t^un.
3)arrtciba
(auffpringeub unb feinc §anb mit §efttg!eit crgreifenb).
S^r rettet meine (^eele t)on SSer^ti^eiftung*
2a^t meine 'Sanb loS — 3^r mitgt fort ^ier fount
3^r unentbecft nic^t Blei^en, fonnt entbecft
Qluf ©c^u^ nid^t tcd^nen, — SSo gebenft i^r ^in'^, 3230
SBo l^offt i|)r 0lu^' gu finben?
$arrtciba»
SBei^ i^'g? -2r^!
5- Slufjug, ^. ©cene» 183
^bxt, njaS tttlr ®ott in^ ^er^ giSt — S^r muf t fort
3n6 !^anb Stalien, nac^ (Sanct $eter§ (^tabt;
2)ort vo^xft i^x euc^ bent $a^j^ §u gu^ett, Beici^tet
3^m «ure ©c^ulb unb lofet eure @eele. 3235
5^ a r r i c I b a.
3Birb er mi^ nic^t bem Olac^er uBerliefern?
5:etl.
2Ba^ cr eud^ t^ut, ba0 ne^met an i?on ®ott
$arrictba,
SBie !omnt' id^ in bag un^efannte !^anb?
3c^ Bin beS ^Begg ni^t funbig, trage nid^t
3n 5Sanberern bie ©c^rittc §u gefeUen. 3240
2)m SBcg triU i(^ eu^ ncnnen, merfet mo^t!
3:^r jteigt ^inauf, bem @trom ber Sfteuf entgegen,
2)ie n^ilbeg !^aufeg i?on bem SBerge fthx^i —
^^arriciba (etfc^ricft).
<Stf)' ic^ bie 3lcu^? (^ie flo^ Bei meiner ^^at.
^elL
5lm 5(Bgrunb gel;t ber 2Beg, nnb t)iele ^reuje 3245
SBe^ei^nen i^n, erric^tet §um ©ebdc^tnif
2)er SCBanberer, bie bie ^^awin' BegraBen. -^
5^ a r r i c i b a»
3^ fiirc^te nic^t bie ^(^recfen ber 01atur,
2Benn id^ beS ^gerjeng txiilbe Ciualen jci^me*
^etl.
SSor iebem ,5lrenje fatTet l^in unb M^d 3250
2^it ^d^tn 0leuet|)rdnen eure @^ulb —
i84 SBil^elm 3;en.
Unb feib i^r glu^Iid^ bur(^ bie (^c^retfenSflrafc,
<Senbet ber SBerg nic^t [eine ^Kinbegn^e^cn
5(uf eu(^ ^eraB i?on bem BeeiSten 3oc^,
60 fommt i^r auf bie SSrucfe, w^elc^e jlduBct 3255
533enn fie ni^t einki^t unter euver <Sd^ulb,
2Benn i^r fie glutflic^ l^inter eu^ Qelaffen,
60 rei^t ein fc^trarjeS getfentl^or ftc^ auf,
Mdn XaQ l^at'g nod^ er^^eUt — ba ge^t i^r bur^,
@g fu^rt euc^ in tin l^eitreS ^^al ber Sreube* 3260
2)ocS^ fc^netlen ^^rittg nm^t i:^r i?oriiBer eileit;
3(;r biirft nic^t ireilen, xvo bie Oiul;e tro^nt
5^arrictba»
O mubot^^! mubol^'^! ^onigltc^er QlfittI
<8o gie^t bein dntd ein auf beine^ Oieic^e^ SBoben!
^ell.
©0 immet jleigenb fommt i\)x auf bie ^o^en 3265
^e§ ®ott^arb6, tno bie enj'gen <Seen ftnb,
2)ie t>on be0 ^immelg <Stromen felBfl fid? ftiHen.
^oxt ne^mt i'^r 5(6f^ieb i?on ber beutfc^en ©rbe,
Unb muntern ;^auf0 fii^rt euc^ ein anbrer 6trom
3n3 Sanb Stalien l^inatj, eu^ ba^ geloBte — 3270
(JSliVX ^oxt ben ^uljrei^en "con »iclen 5ll))^6rnern geblafeu.)
3^ T^ore ©timrnen. gort!
Ǥ e b tr i g (eitt I)crein).
^0 Bifl bu, ^ett?
2)er 93ater fommt! ^6 na^n in fro^em Qxxq
2)ie (gibgenoffen aHe —
^arrtciba (m^iint ft$).
5Set;e mir!
3c^ barf nic^t n?eilen Ui ben ©Iiicflic^en^
5- Slufjug, %, ©cene. 185
®i^\ Ite^cS SSei^. ^rfrifc^e biefen SJ^ann, 3275
SBelab' i^it rei^ niit ©at^en, benn fein ^eg
3fl: trelt, unb feine ^ertjerg' finbet er»
^ile! ©le na^n.
Ȥebtrig.
©er ijt eg?
%tll.
Unb irenn cr gc^t, fo trcnbe beine Qlugett;
©af fie ni^t fe^en, trelc^en 2Bcg er ttjanbelt! 3280
?Uarrtciba ge'^t auf ben ^eK ju ntit einer rafc^en ^BeVuegung ; biefcr aBcr
bcbcutet i^n ntit ber .^anb unb ge^t. Senn beibc gu toerf^icbcncn
vBciten abgecjangen, ijcrdnbcvt fid) bcr ^d^aupla^, unb man ilefet in ber
ii^kw Scene
ben gan;;cn ^^^atgrunb \3or S^eKa 2Bcf)nunq, neBft ben 5ln^cf)en, ttjelc^e
iftn einfd^liegen, mit Sanbteuten befe^t, tvelc^e jid^ gu einem nta(evifd)en
©aui^en gtu^piren. 5lnbere fontnten uber einen ^ot)en @teg, ber iiber
ben €c^dc^en fuf)rt, qe;^oc\en. S5^altl)cr gurfl mit ben beiben ,^naben,
SWelc^t^al unb ©tauffac^er fommen t>orn)dvt^, anbere brdngen na^, tuic
%i\i ](|erauatritt, empfauQen i^n alle mit lantern. Sto|iocf en.
attic.
@8 le^e %tVi\ ber ©^uft unb ber ^rretterl
Snbem jt(^ bie 93orberPen nm ben ^ell brdngen unb t!)n umarmen,
crf($einen no^ {Ruben^ unb S3ertt)a, iener bie fianbleute, biefe bie
J&ebn)ig umormenb. 3)ie 3}?uiif »om ^erge bec^Ieitet biefe ftumme
Scene. SBenn fie geenbigt, tritt ^ertt>a in bie W\iU be^ SSclf^.
SSertl^a*
Sanbleute! ^ibgenoffen! 0^e^mt mtc^ auf
3n euern -23unb, bie erfte ©Ititftid^e,
S)ie ©^u§ gefunben in ber Srei^eit Sanb.
i8(5 3Bilf)eIm Sell
3n cure ta^tjfre ^anb teg' i^ mein 0le^t; 3285
SSoUt i^r alg eure SBurgerin mi^ fc^u^en?
i&anbleutc^
O 2)a0 tcotlen trir mit ®ut unb SBlut
SBett^a.
5©o^tan!
©0 rei(^* f^ biefem Sungting tneine Ote^tc,
S)ie freie ©(^treijetin bem freien S^^ann!
01 u b e n 5*
Unb fret er!tar* i^ atle tneine Jtned^te. 3290
(Sttbem bie Wln^t »on neuem rafd^ einfdttt, fdHt bet S5or:^ang.)
NOTES.
(grfier ^tufjug*
drjlc (Scene
The scene passes near the landing-place of Treib in the Canton
Uri, on the western shore of the Vurwaldstettersee^ i. e. Lake of the
four Forest Cantons, also called * Lake of Lucerne.*
SD'Jad&t etne S3u^t, forms a bight, gd^rt fic^, is rowing. (Siel^t
X^<XXi . . . ticgen, are seen.
The name of Hake7i or Hacken is given to the mountain-pass which
lies north-east of Sckwyz, the capital of the canton of that name.
The Jtu^rci^etl or ,^u:^retgcn, Ranz-des-VacheSy consists of a simple
and touching air, sung or played by the Swiss herdsmen, in order to call
the cattle home.
Etym. — ^ulftret^ett, lit. either * cow-song,* becanse {Rci^e or OJctgcn
denotes *song'; or * cow-line,' because the cows generally march up in
a 'line,' or 'single file'; and hence the French name Ranz-des-Vaches ;
ranz probably being a corruption of rmtg^ i. e. order ; line.
1. I. @6 Idc^elt, is smiling. (^^ is here the grammatical subject^
often used, especially in poetry, for the sake of euphony or emphasis.
It is sometimes rendered into English by there,
1- 7. 3n feltgcr Suft, in blissful delight.
1. 8. ©Allien . . . i'^tn um tie, flow round his.
1. 10. The omission of the termin. cr after SieB and of t)U before Bift
is permissible in poetry and familiar language. The above song is
founded on the legend, that those who fell asleep near the lake Calan-
dari, on the mountain of Aros, were irresistibly drawn into the water.
1. 13. QJJattc, properly 'pasture land,' say, meadow.
1. 15. The Swiss and Bavarian 'herdsman' who tends the cattle on
the Alps, is called ®cnne or <Scntt.
1. 17. 3u SBergc fat)ren, *to drive to the mountain,' is, with Swiss
herdsmen, the technical expression for going into the mountains with
the cattle for the summer.
l88 WILHELM TELL. [11. 20-48.
1. 20, SScnn bte, &c. Some wells in Switzerland— called fontes
maiales — only flow from spring to autumn.
1. 25. (^6 bonnern, are thundering. Cp. 1. \,n. Continuous rumbling
noises are heard on the glaciers. ^it(X„ here a narrow 'foot-bridge'
made of trees or planks.
1. 26. The verb grauett is only used impersonally, viz. c^ grauet mtr,
I am afraid (awe-struck) ; hence ^\^i grauct, &c., feels no dread.
f(^ivinblid)t, dizzy.
1. 30. ©vunen (of plants), to flourish. 0?e[3, n. twig.
1. 31. (Sin liebHc^te^ SWeer, an ocean of mist. Persons standing on
high mountains often see the lower regions covered by mist, discerning
the inhabited world only through ' the rents in the clouds.'
1. 35. ^icf unter, &c., i.e. below the cascades and torrents rushing
from the mountains. @vimcnbe = 0vun.
(5tn bum^fei^ .^rad^ett, a dull rumbling noise.
O^uobi is the popular form for O?ubolpl), Sernt forSBerttcr, J^uont for
^onvab, and (Sc^nn for Sofcpf). a)?e(fuapf, milkpail. §anbbube is the
lowest ' servant' of the shf^pherds. Cp. the Eng. handmaid.
1. 37. 3cnni is the popular form for 3o()ann. Cp. Johnny. S^laue,
ferry-boat ; barge ; and also a small boat,
1. 38. !I()aIl>Cc3t; lit. governor of the valley; in Swiss popular language
the 'flight of clouds' indicating rain. Sim, glacier.
Etym.— gtni, originally 'old,' or 'settled snow,' i.e. neve. Cp. the
A.-S. fyrn, and O. E. fern = old.
I. 39, &c. The two points of the Hahen (see Introd. Note) are called
respectively the ' Great* and * Little My then,' and Schiller here probably
means the former, or both, in using the name Mythenstein. When
certain mountain- tops are covered with clouds (here metaphorically
expressed by 'hood'), country-people consider it as a sign of coming
rain, as likewise when the wind blows cold from certain caverns and
crevices, called on this account ' weather holes.'
II. 42-45. 'g fontmt (to be pronounced as one syllable) stands for
e^ fonttttt. This elision is of frequent occurrence.
The facts mentioned by Kuoni and Werni belong to the numerous
weather-signs current among the peasants.
Dogs are often called SBad^ter, lit. watcher.
1. 46. Sugcu, in Switzerland and S. Germany, to look (out). (Si(^
nic^t »erlaufen (t)at), have not strayed.
1. 47. Sifel, pop. form for (SUfabetl). Swiss herdsmen often give their
cattle names of persons. 5lm ©eldut, by the tinkling of her bells.
1. 48. SOSeitj^en — U^eitejlen. Bells are often attached to the necks of
those cows that stray farthest.
F
n. 49-73.] NOTES. ACT I, SC. I. 189
1. 49. ©etdutc, here set of bells. The upper herdsman is called
SD'Jeiper Ǥitt, master herdsman.
1. 51, &c. ytit, popular abbreviation of nid^t.
'g tfi, &c., they are my noble lord's of Attinghausen. Cp. p. 46.
Slttin9()aufer, i. e. he from Attinghausen. Wax ^UQegd^lt, lit. counted
out to me, i. e. entrusted to my care.
1. 53. SQ}ie fcben, &c., how prettily the collar suits the neck of that
cow. !Der t^u() is the dat. governed by pe^cu, here, ^0 suit. The speaker
alludes to the cow that leads the herd. It is generally the handsomest
and wears the largest bell, hanging from a broad leather ' neck-band.*
1. 54. 2)a^ lr)ei§ jie aud^, &c. This statement, as well as the sub-
sequent one by Wemi (1. 59, &c.), is founded on actual facts.
1- 56. 3f)t fcib, &c., you do not mean it ; you are joking.
1. 57. 5ft balb, elliptical for bag ift balb.
1. 58. 2)ic tr>ir, &c. When a relative clause refers to a pers. pron. of
the first or second person, singular or plural, we must not use tt>el(^er,
&c., but bet, bic, bag ; and repeat after it the pers. pron. used in the
principal clause, as here: Xaxt, bie tvir.
1. 59. 2)ic jlelten flug . . . (XWi, they prudently set.
1. 60. 'ne, elision for txxit. S3or()Ut (comp. of S5or and §ut, f. 'guard*),
a sentinel. The sentinel of the chamois is called the S5orgei§.
1. 62. ^ic 5l(^, &c., i.e. the pasture on the Alp is grazed quite bare.
1. 64. ,^ef)rt — hjieber, one does not always return. A description
of the dangers attending the Alpine hunter will be found in 11. 1491-
1508. Intransitive verbs are often used reflectively and impersonally,
when an action is stated in a general way without mentioning the agent
performing it, as here : fe^rt jl(^'g.
1. 65. ^ommt . . . Qelaufen, comes running. When fotnmen is used
in connection with another verb denoting a continuous motion, the
latter is employed in the p. p., and transl. by the pres. part, in -ittg.
1. 66. ©auntgart, popular abbreviation of S3aumgarten. SllgeHen is a
small place not far from the river Aa and the village of Wolfeitschieszen^
in the Canton of Unterwalden.
1. 68. S©ag Qlbt'g, (Sec, why this haste?
L 70. SOBag ^abt i^r, idiomatic for: what is the matter with you?
Cp. the Fr. Qu'avez-vous ?
1. 72. Sanb^ogt is the Imperial Governor of a whole country or
canton. The speaker alludes to Beringer von Landenberg, who was
Governor of Unterwalden.
Etym. — The word SSogt, which is to be pronounced nearly like
95of)^t, is derived from the Low Lat. vocatus (advocatus).
1. 73- 3^ bin, &c., I am a dead man. @reifett = ergreifen.
190 WILHELM TELL. [11. 74-109.
1. 74. OJeiftge is now used in poetry only for * trooper.'
Etym. — {Heiftgc, from the obsol. Olei$5, military march.
1. "J^. 2Ba^ ^at'^, &c., what has occurred ?
1. 77- S3urg»ogt, Imperial Bailiff, or Castellan. (Lat, advocatus
castri.) The castle of Oicf Berg stood on the Alpnach Lake in Unter-
walden, not far from Stanz. Its ruins are still to be seen.
1. 78. 3Bclfenf(^te^, or SBolfenfd&ie^cn, is described as a descendant
of a noble Swiss family, which derived its name from the village of
Wolfenschieszen in Unterwalden. Semanb ^erfolgen laffen, lit. to cause
anyone to be pursued; here, 'are you pursued by him'? Cp. on the
comprehensive use of the verb laffen. Mod. Germ. Reader, I. p. 82, 1. 2, «.
1. 79* 2)er fc^abet. The present is here used for the future.
1. 81. This line is ellipt., the words get^au ^dtte being understood.
1. 82. Jg)au^red^t, household right ; domestic right.
1. 83. Sim ©d^dtlbcr, against him who wronged.
1. 85. S3 00 (for bofeg) ©eliijlen, his wicked desire.
1. 90, &c. Cp. 1. 65 n, 3n— ^obeg, in mortal fear.
1. 92. The excitement of the speaker is marked by the omission of all
introductory words, such as — ©ic ttef ; and the conjunctive (subj.) is
used throughout, because it is an indirect quotation.
1. 93- (Sin S3ab ritjlen, rather poet, for cin S3ab Bereiten.
1. 94. Transl. the clause 2)rauf— »ei*langt by * then he insulted her.*
1. 96. %x\\^ ^^^V^, quickly there, i.e. to the house. This line contains
an indirect extenuation of Baumgarten's deed.
1. 97. §ab' — gefegnet, say : I made him smart for his desire. A
friendly wish used formerly to be addressed to bathers, but in the course
of time this 'blessing' assumed an ironical meaning ; hence, Sctuanb ba^
S3ab gefegnen, to punish anyone. Cp. the English : much good may it
do you. The above incident is related by the Chronicler Tschudi.
1. 100. ^at'0 tcing, &c., i.e. he has long deserved this fate from the, &c
1. loi. SSarb rud&tBat: (obs. for rucfebar), was noised abroad.
1. 102. SSerrinnen (a metaphor derived from the running sand of hour-
glasses, and applied to time), to pass away ; to fly.
1. 103. ^iniiberfd^affen, here, to set over.
1. 104. @el^t m^t = e0 gel^t tlic^t, it is impossible. Cp. the French
cela ne va pas.
1. 107. ©reif an, &c., to work with God's helpl Oldd^jle (superl.
of na^e) is the Biblical expression for 'neighbour ' in the sense of* fellow-
man'; 'fellow- creature.'
1. 108. @tei(^e0, the same thing, i.e. a like fate. The adv. j[a cor-
responds here to the English surely, why.
1. 109. 2)er go^n ift lu^, the Fohn is up. The go^U is a boisterous,
11.112-153.] NOTES. ACT 7, SC. 1. I9I
and relatively dry, south, or south-east wind, which makes the navi-
gation on the lake of Lucerne particularly dangerous.
Etym. — So^n is derived by some from the Latin favonius, south-
wind ; and by others from the Gothic/"^;/, fire.
1. 112. (§0 gel^t Uttt0 Seben is an idiom, express, for 'life is at stake/
Prefix here the pron. his. Cp. the French, il y va de la vie.
1. 113. '0 ijl ein J^au^^ater, he is a family man. Cp. the Latin
paterfamilias.
1. 116. SKtC '0 — ji^Wf transl. how the lake foams, surges, and eddies.
1. 121. JDag tia^e, &c., within sight of the near port of safety. Near
Treib the lake is about two -thirds of an English mile wide. The op-
posite landing-place is at Brunne?t, the principal port of the Canton
Schwyz. Ferry-boats used at an early period to ply between the two
landing-places.
1. 126. The ©urglert (generl. pron. SBlirgettt) here mentioned, is a vil-
lage in Uri near Altorf. Cp. on etymology of the word SlrJttBruft cross-
bow, my Notes to Goethe's Egmont, p. 5, 1. 2.
1. 128. (Ein 5l(ge[(et 9)lann, a man (or native) of Alzellen.
1. 132. Urn bic UeBerfal^rt, transl., to take him over.
1- 133- 5ur(^t't contr. from fiird^ tet ; fasten, here, ferry him over.
L 134. 3)er %%\{. The def. art. is often used in familiar speech before
proper names of persons, more especially before those of well-known
individuals.
1- 135. ^yx itagen, transl., is to be ventured upon.
1. 136. The refl. form ftc^ laffett is frequently used impersonally with
an infinitive in the sense of can, &c.
1. 137. ^oKenrad^cn, jaws of hell; jaws of death; Bet ©initen, in his
senses.
1. 141. ?Pott (from the Lat. 'portus'), port; place of refuge, is now
used in poet, language only. 2df t fl^'0, &c., it is easy to give advice.
Cp. above 1. 136, «.
1. 143. Place in the transl. crBarmeit after ftd^.
1. 145. SciBIid^ used as an attrib. before the names of relations denotes
♦own,' as here tnein IciBUd^ (for IctBIid^Cg) ^inb, my own child.
1. 146. 'g ifi, &c., it is St. Simon and St. Jude's day, viz. Oct. 28.
5ubd is the Lat. gen. oi Judas. According to a popular superstition the
water ' requires a victim on that day.*
1. 148. SBirb Iftier, &c., nothing will be done (or, 'accomplished').
1. 149. SBerbcn is sometimes used for j;u %^vX itJetbctt, to fall to the
share (of) ; to be allotted to ; to have. Cp. 1. 645.
1. 150. Cp. 1. 133»«-
1. 153. 2)a0 <^i\^\, &c., that is like a huntsman.
ig^ WILHELM TELL, [11. 155-194.
Etym. — 3Caib more correctly 2Bcib, is derived from O. H. G. weida,
hunt, and is now used in compounds only.
1. 155. 2Bo{)( is often used for indeed.
1. 159. SSenn tnir, &c., lit. if anything human should befall me; is
an euphemistic expression for in case I should die. So in Lat. ; Si quid
mihi humanitus accidisset (Cic).
1. 160. SOBa0 \^, &c., what I could not leave undone.
1. 161. (^in 2}?eifter, &c., i.e. an experienced steersman. The 'steers-
man' is often simply called 9Keifter.
1. 163. 3BoI)t — nad^, even better men would not do like Tell.
1. 167. 5)ie Slutlf), &c., the surge rolls over it.
1. 170. Cp. 1.65, n.
1. 172. Understand '^ii^^i after \)erborcjen. Cp. 1. 378, n.
1. 173. 2)eg (for biefc^) 2Beg^, adverb gen. ; say: this way.
1. 176. SBertn i^r, &c., if you make haste.
1. 177. SSertviinfd&t, transl., curse it.
1. 178. Un^ is here an ' ethical dat.' and need not be translated. Cp,
1. 2313, «. The E. idiom requires here on for the Germ. in.
3tt)cite (&ccnc.
, The village of Steinen, in the canton Schwyz^ is situated near the
Lowerzer See, three miles north-west from the town of Schwyz. A
chapel, built about 1400, marks the spot where Stauffacher's house is
alleged to have stood. He is described by the Chroniclers as the
descendant of an old family. Pfeifer of Luzern is a fictitious character,
Luzem, Lucerne, is the capital of the canton of that name.
1. 184. (Sd^lDort nic^t gU, do not swear allegiance to. Atistria stands
here for Albrecht of Habsburg, the then ruler of that country. On
the relation of Switzerland to the German Empire, see Hist. Introd.
1. 187. Husband and wife used formerly to be called SBtrtl^ (or
(§^t\Si\x\%), host, and 3Cirt{)in, hostess, respectively.
1. 189. By the expression SSiel 2)auf, &c., many thanks, the speaker
first acknowledges his gratitude for the invitation, and then he explains
why he cannot accept it. The pretty village of Gersau is in Schwyz.
1. 190. aSa^ . . . aU{^ ©C^ireve^, whatever hardship. 5lu(^ is here an
expletive.
1. 193. Jtann, here may. Germany was at that time an elective
empire. See Hist. Introd.
1. 194. @cib if)r, &c., if you once belonged to Austria. Cp. on this
construction, 1. 1387, n. (Seib if|r'^, you would be so.
The maiden name of Stauffacher's wife is stated to have been Mar-
II. 198-244.] NOTES. ACT /, SC, 2. 1 93
garetha Herlohigy but Schiller changed it into Gertrud Iberg, because
this adapts itself better to the metre.
1. 198. ©ebrejlcn, «., denotes ' physical ailing/ and fig. 'sorrow.'
1. 202. ^t\\\ @{ucfsS|lanb, &c., your fortune prospers.
1. 203, &c. Transl. ber Oiinter ©djaviren by of the herds of cattky
gtatten by sleek, and i»o()lgena^rte 3uc&t by well-fed troops.
1. 205. ®Iuc!(t(^, here, safely.
1. 206. 3ur 2Binterunc^, to winter; to be wintered.
1. 207. Oieic^, here, grandly. (Jbeljl^, nobleman's mansion.
1. 208. (Stamm^olj, timber ; ifl e^, &c., it has newly (i. e. recently)
been built ; gimmeni, to build (of wood). Cp. O. E. to timber..
1. 209. Transl. Oii(^tma§ by 7'ule and measure, and crbentlic^ by
properly.
1. 2IO. S5on vielen, &c., comfort and light gleam from its many,
windows.
1. 211, &c. 2)^ it Bunten, &c., with n\any-coloured escutcheons.
1. 214. Cp. for )X)o\)i, 1. 155, w.
1. 216. 3Biet)erfte^ll, &c., what do yon mean by that?
1. 218. $Da^ fc^on, &c., i. e. joyfully thinking on what has been so
beautifully accomplished.
1. 220, &c. 2)er 25cgt, i.e. Gessler. The castle of Kusznacht, the
ruins of which are still to be seen, stood near the village of that name.
1. 221. Suubernb = fic^ t>emunbevnb.
1. 223, &c. Jpevr, here, lord. The Emperor of Germany had only
judicial, but not absolute power over Switzerland. Un0 . . . tut 2anbe
= in unferem Sanbc
1. 226. ©o^meinenb, with an evil intention.
1. 227. @($ne[( Befonncn, with ready presence of mind.
1. 228, &c. The word S^iXX admits of various renderings. Here it may
be transl. before SSogt by sir\ and ij^ tneittc^ §errn, &c., by belongs to
my sovereign lordj &c. Uub tttcitt, &c., and is my.
1. 232, &c. @ttt>ag auf feine eigne -ipanb i^un, is used idiomat. for *to
do anything at pleasure, (at will) '; a(fo, &c., thus live on freely.
1. 234. 3(^— unterj^e^n, I shall make bold.
1. 238. Cp. for §err 1. 223, «., and for ^^tXoixi^ 1. 187, n. SJ^agtl
bu, here, will you.
1. 239. O^eblicf^, here, straightforward. In poetry and familiar speech
the inflectional termination -e^ is often omitted with adjectives, in the
nom. and ace. cases of the neuter gender.
1. 240, &c. {Rii^m' \6) mid&, lit. * I boast ' ; say, I am. 2)e^, &c., the
much-experienced man; a man of wide experience. Cp. 1. 194, n.
1. 244. $ergamente, lit. parchments ; here, charters.
O
194 WILHELM TELL, [H. 249-309.
1. 249. Sttt §evgen. Cp. 1. 438, n. §ab' \^, &c., I have preserved it.
1. 253, &c. 2)cnn bu, &c., i. e. for it is you, who prevent the submis-
sion of the men of Schwyz to, &c. Cp. for the use of the negative after
^iubeniifi, 1. 1535, «•
1. 257. Transl. e^ — Qctljau, lit. have held and done, by have staunchly
done.
1. 260. ®(u(f(i(^ Ito^njl, live in prosperity.
1. 266, The Emperor of Germany used to be considered the * highest
sovereign lord ' in Christendom.
1. 268, &c. Otitterntantel, knightly cloak, ^xvm = barunt.
1. 270. Transl. fc^eelen by envious ^ and Qlffger SJ^i^QUtlft \yj venomous
malice.
1. 272 @rir>arten is here used for aBlvarteu, to wait.
1- 273. ^ie bofe, &c., he has wrought on you his malignant will.
1. 274. SScrbauen, denotes figuratively * to take one's precautions.'
1. 277. Db is used for iiber in higher diction only. 2ButI)ei*ei, tyranny.
1. 278, &c. @ie bort brubeu, they (the people) on the other side (or
* shore '). Unier (adj. from Uri), of Uri.
1. 281. ©0 — fred^, behaves as insolently. Cp. 1. 72, n.
1. 283. Steinen is separated from Unterwalden, and partly also from
Uri, by the Lake of Lucerne.
1. 284. ©eivaltbcginncn, act of tyranny.
1. 286, &c. XI)dt' c^ o;\xi, it were well. (Juer (gen. of %)x) tiXx^t,
some of you. ^\z'^ rebli($ meineu, who are trusty.
1. 289. @o ac^t' t(^ n?of)(, then I believe (or * opine').
1.291, &c. ©aftfreuilb, say: friend; lit. guest-friend, i.e. a person
with whom one is connected by the ties of mutual hospitality. Cp.
the Gr. ^evos. Cp. for rebUd), 1. 239, n.
1. 293. 2)er h?acfevn, &c., is a farlitive genitive governed by t*iele.
Cp. the Fr. beaucoup de.
1. 294. Unb angcfe^cn, &c., and distinguished men of quality.
L 295. @e!f)eim, obs. for * intimate with/ @ar tt)oI)l, &c., in my (full)
confidence.
1. 297, &c. SO^ir in bcr. Cp. 1. 438. SO^ein Snncrjle^, &c., i. e. my
inmost thoughts you show me by the light, &c.
1. 299. 3u benfen jiill, to think in secret.
1. 301. Slud^ is here an emphatic expletive.
1- 303- r^riebgctvo^nte, lit. accustomed to peace ; i. e. peaceable.
1. 304. SSagten is here the pres. cond. of ivagen.
1. 305. Sn «f ani^f, &c., to take the field ; or, to fight against.
1. 306. JDcr Qute @C^ein, here, the fair (or * plausible ') pretext.
1- 309- 3u f^alten, to rule.
II. 31I-358-] NOTES, ACT I, SC. 3. I95
1. 311. See HisL Introd., p. xv.
1. 312, &c. (Sure Strt, &c., to wield your battle-axe. 3) em 33iutr)igen,
&c., Gods helps the courageous. Cp. Virgil's 'audentes fortunajuvat.'
1. 314. Cp. 1. 239, n,
1. 315. 2)ie §erbe, &c. Cp. I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep
of the flock . . . , Matt. xxvi. 31.
1. 319. 2)er ungefteure. The attrib. adj. is sometimes placed in poetry
after the noun it qualifies, either with or without any article.
1. 320. 3Bu§t' i(^, &c., i. e. if I believed my heart to be attached ^o. .
1-325. S^lid^t I}inter bid^, i.e. he should not consider any possible
consequences.
1- 330- Sl>er fo(($, &c., he who clasps such a heart to his own.
1. 331. Render here §of by home.
1- 333- Salfjren, here, to travel; to go. (SteI}Ubeu Su§e^ gteic^,
at once. Cp. the Lat. * stante pede.*
1- 334- 5)^it, here, of mine. Cp. 1. 291.
1- 339. Olatf)'^ Pffegen, in higher diction for ^(xi^:^ )?tlegen, to take council ;
trie tttan ber, &c. i.e. how we could bravely defend ourselves against, &c.
1. 341, &c. SSeil has here the obs. meaning of tt>d^reiib, while. 2)a^
Oiegtttteut beg §aufeg fiil^ren, to manage the household. Cp. 1. 368, n.
1. 345- 2Bof)lC5eVti[egt, well taken care of.
1- 346. 3u — \it\)i'^, it stands right out upon the public road.
1. 348. S)eg SBegeg fal^ren, travel on this road. Cp. 1. 173, n.
The above scene is founded on an account of the chronicler Tschudi.
1. 351. Cp. 1. 134, n.
JDvitte ^cene.
Altorf or Altdorf, the capital of the Canton Uri, is situated near the
south end of the Lake of Lucerne.
@ebiel)en/ is . . . advanced ; jid^ barfielft, is shown ; l^intere ©eite,
hinder part ; auf bem l^od^ften, on the highest part of, &c. ; 'i:j(X\\<^i, is
suspended. grcf)nvc9t, taskmaster ; J^anbkttCjer, labourers.
1- 353- ^\^i lang gefeicrt, do not loiter (rest) so long. The p. p. is
sometimes used as a rather peremptory imperative. Cp. on fetevu,
Goethe's Egmont, (C. P. S.) p. 37, 1. 29, n.
1. 354. Supply bringt before ^erbci ; gugefaftren, wheel here.
1- 355. &;c. @r . . . fiel)t, he should see. @en>a(^fen, lit. grown, here,
advanced. JDag fd^teubert, these fellows crawl. The demonstr. pron.
ba^J, applied to persons in general, conveys a notion of contempt.
1- 357- ^^'^^^ bag, &c., do you call that a load?
1. 358. ^agbiebe, idlers. Cp. Goethe's Egmont, p. 38, 1. 22, n.
SBej^e^len, here, to neglect.
2
196 WILHELMTELL. [U. 359-407.
1- 359- ^od&, here, indeed ; surely. ©elSil refers to U)ir.
1. 360. !l^n?ing = 3tt)ing, i. e. a keep, or stronghold.
1. 361, &c. @c^ ted) teg, here, worthless; anfteKig, fit.
1. 365. @ingelt?eib(e), lit. entrails ; fig. compassion.
1- 367. Srofjnbienjl, properly, * forced labour ' (Fr. corvee) ; say, task.
1. 368. The pron. il)r is here used after the imper. to bring out em-
phatically the antithesis. Understand ij^ after §lmt^.
1- 370- 3^ing Uvi, the keep of Uri. The stronghold was built to over-
awe the people, i. e. to ' keep Uri under.'
1. 374- ^O'JviuUDurfgftaufen, mole hill.
Etym. — 2)lau( in this comp. is derived from 3)Ju[(. (O.H.G. molta>,
mould, and is allied to the Eng. mole. The second term, SKurf,
denotes that which has been thrown up, or rather the thrower up;
hence the 2)'?au(U)Urf, mould thrower. Cp. O.E. mouldwarp ^.
1. 378. Understand ^^i after gebient. The auxiliary verbs ^abetl and
fein are frequently omitted in dependent clauses, more especially in
comp. tenses. Slltl^gebdube, say, cursed building.
1. 380. (^vX is here used in the sense of * advisable.* Tell, who had
safely brought Baumgarten across the lake, and taken him to the house
of Stauffacher at Steinen (11. 349-52), returned home to Biirgeln, accom-
panying the latter as far as Altorf (1. 333, &c.).
1. 384. lyiirber, any more ; i. e. he will never see day-light again.
1. 385. @trebe, in architecture, means ' prop ' ; hence (StrebepfeiCer,
buttress.
1. 388. The mountains at all times served in Switzerland as a check
against domestic and foreign tyrants.
1. 389. SSoKen, in the present phrase, to mean.
1- 390- Sa^nad&t^aufjug, carnival's mummery. 2Ba5 foK, what sig-
nifies ; what is the object (of).
Etym.— gafna^t or gafnai^t (also spelt gaflna(^t\ denotes the day
and eve before Ash- Wednesday, which is, in Roman Catholic countries,
specially devoted to masquerading, merriment, and feasting. ga§ is
derived from O.H.G. fason, i. e. noisy feast.
1. 395. SD^cinuitg, here, intent, or resolve.
1. 396. ©cf^e^^n, say, be given.
1. 400. 35erfa((en — ®Vii, will have forfeited his life and goods (or
* property').
1. 402. SBel^ ncuc^, &c., what new unheard-of thing.
1. 407. Transl. no(^ by at least, and @C tft'^ by but it is. By doing
, 1 Mr. Quick has a very interesting note on the above word in his
< Companion to Wilhelm Tell.'
11.409-456.] NOTES, ACT I, SC:^. I97
obeisance to the ' hat of Austria ' the people would have acknowledged
their immediate allegiance to the Habsburgs.
1. 409. The Habsburgs granted the fiefs to their Swiss vassals at the
Stem zu Baden in Aargau.
1. 413. 5lBreb(e) nc^mcn, to take council. ^liefe, here, background.
1. 414. 3^r — S3efc^eib, you now know my opinion.
1. 416. (5ntbe()rt/ i. e. is without the protection of a father.
I. 419. »^6nnten, here, might.
1. 422. Transl. here [(^uellen by violent, and fur^ by the shortest. The
adage says : Gestrenge Herren regieren 7iicht lange.
1. 423, &c. Tell's statements are based on actual facts.
1. 426. Dl)ne ©(^abCH/ &c., without (doing) any injury, and leaving
no trace.
1. 431. The pi. form Saubc is used when applied to various provinces
of the same country.
1. 432. Understand tl&Ult after ttiet. The auxiliary verbs of mood are
often used in this way elliptically.
1- 43.V "^itft ftd^, &c., i. e. it is easier to save oneself alone.
1. 437. Understand itjcun before aKeill.
1. 438. 2)a^ SSatetlaub, our fatherland ; our native country. When
it is obvious to whom the subject or object spoken of refers, tVie def.
article is generally employed in German instead of the possess, pron.
used in English.
1. 439. 3ur 9fletl^it)cl)r Qteifen, to rise in self-defence.
1. 445. (5^— fe^(eu, I shall not be wanting. Tell's speech shows that
he is a man of action, and not a mere talker.
1. 448. {Rennet, &c. These words are aptly chosen to express hurry.
1. 450. The elliptical explanation SD'^it eurem @olbe (say, ' your gold !
your gold ! ') contains a taunt against the rich, who think that any
misfortune can be made good by gold.
1. 456. SKit eU(^, &c. Bertha von Bruneck, who is a fictitious cha-
racter, is represented as a Swiss lady, but she is described as belonging to
the suite of Gessler, who was considered a foreign intruder.
SBierte (Scene.
Walther Fiirst is described by Swiss chroniclers as the father-in-law
of Tell, and as * a distinguished, wise, and honourable man,' living, not
at Altorf, but at Attinghausen.
The family name oi Arnold vf^s an der ffalden, lit. by the hill side.
The Melchihal, which derives its name from the river Melch, is
situated in the canton of Unterwalden, not far from Kerns,
198 WILHELM tell. [11.464-531.
1. 464. 53}a^ . . . bettn fo (^trdflid^c^, what culpable act.
1. 466, &c. Construe, 3(^ ^o,\i' mX bem ^\^\> ben ginger beg freemen
©uben (here * servant ') gebrcd^en, ber tneine Deafen, &c. (cp. 1, 833, n.),
bvig treffiic^tlc ©efpann, &c. (our best team).
1. 470. 3Bar beg, belonged to ; was in the service of. The verb feitl
is often used with the gen. to denote possession. Cp. 1. 225.
1. 472. S^V ti?art, &c., you had incurred punishment.
1. 473. S3u§e, here, fine ; penalty.
1. 474. Transl. leic^tfert'ge by wanton.
1. 479. ^umpf— Ungebu^r, they bellowed in a deep, hollow tone, as
though they felt the wrong.
1. 481. Ufeerua^ttt, here, overcame.
1. 485. a)Zid& iammevt, I pity.
1. 490. Understand ba after \% Ungttm^f (©(im^^f, forbearance;
gentleness), injury. Note the use of the conj. in this line.
1.491. Jpiniiber, i.e. cross over. Adverbs relating to motion are
often used elliptically, more especially when connected with aux. verbs
of mood or of tense.
1. 492, &c. Cp. 1. 272, n. (gi^ in ©ebntb faffen, to arm oneself with
patience; to compose oneself. 33cm 2Ba(be, i. e. from Unter-walden.
1. 501. SBag— fc^it>ant, the evil my heart forebodes.
1. 502. Otaufi^en, of waves, the wind, &c., * to roar' ; here, to creak.
1. 503. Saufi^t (say *lurk'), is here used in the sing., because the two
subjects to which it refers form one general notion.
1. 505. S3 alb Wiihi, &c. This saying characterizes the then primitive
state of Switzerland.
1- 513- ^ie'^, mir irirb, &c., lo, I am so happy, my hearts opens at.
1. 517. ^ocfjwerj^cinb'c^e, corresponds here to sage,
1. 519. SD'^einrabg Belt (i. e. cell) is the present abbey of EinsiedeUi
in Schwyz. It was founded in 832 by Meinrad, Count of Hohenzollem,
and is now a famous place of pilgrimage, SGBe(fd{)lanb/ Italy. Cp.
Goethe's Egmont, p. 8, 1. 18, 7i.
1. 520. OJiifymt iebcr, &g. Cp. 11. 343-348.
I. 521. grifc^ von, &c., straight from Fliielen.
The village of I-diielen (which name is dissyllabic, the first e being
scarcely heard) in Uri is the well-known landing-place near Altort
Stauffacher is supposed to have come to Uri down the lake.
II. 52Xr-25. Both question and answer refer, of course, to Ziving Uri:
1. 528. (Seit 5)^enfd^enbenfen, in man's remembrance, lli^jingfjof, say>
dungeon. Cp. 1. 360, 7t.
1- 530- 5)?it Seamen, by its name.
1. 531. (Jinem (etirag) tJev^alten, to conceal (anything) from anyone.
11.534-628.] NOTES, ACT I, SC. 4. I99
!• 534- ^tangfat corresponds here to * misery/
1. 536. Transl. here 2) rang by oppression and 3 id hy end,
1- 537- ^^^ Uralter^ Ijcr, from the oldest times.
1. 540. %x\ih, i. e. drove his cattle.
1. 541. SSie fic'g treiben, how (badly) they act.
1. 542. See Introd. Notes to the present Scene and to Act ii.
1. 545. 5tud^— gebu^t, yonder in Unterwalden (unterm 2Ba(b), too,
terrible deeds occur, and they are expiated with blood.
1- 547- •'pciuf'te, transl., ruled cruelly.
1. 549. ^aumcjarten^ SSeib, &c., i. e. he insulted the wife of Baum-
garten, who is settled at Alzellen.
1. 554. JDcd^ is often used in the sense oi I hope.
1. 556. ^ei mir, with me, i. e. at my house. Cp. the Fr. chez moi.
I. 558. Sarnen is the chief place of that part of the canton of Unter-
waldeft which is called Ob dem Wald. To the left of the entrance
into the village is seen the eminence on which the castle of the Governor
Landenberg is said to have stood.
II. 560-62. See the Introd. Note to the present Scene.
1. 5(^3. ®ilt it>a^, is of some weight.
1. 565. SBu^cn, here, to punish. Cp. 1. 473, n.
1. 566. %ii)\ix, say, offence. £ie§ bic . . . if)m au^, &c., caused his
... to be unyoked from.
^_. 1. 570. Sd^t . . . fovbcrn, causes ... to be summoned ; sends for.
1. 571. 3ur ^telie fc^affcn, to produce on the spot.
- 1. 574. go(tevfnec^tc = go(tevcr.
4f 575- 3ft mir, &c., see 1. 1387, n.
1. 580. D ber, &c.. Oh, the miserable man.
1. 586. 3(f) fagt^^^ i. e. it is as I said.
!• 593- Sut)(eub, &c., groping his way in, &c.
1. 595. The grass on the Alpine meadows is of a deep warm green,
and the flowers are distinguished by a soft glossy enamel (@^melj).
1. 596. 2)ie rct^eu, &c., the glowing glaciers, i. e. when the setting
sun produces the Alpine glow.
1. 599. Transl. here j[ammernb hy pitying, and frifc^e by sound.
1. 604. (f r — lltefir, he suffers, besides, from another want.
1. 607. 5^acft, say, stripped of all.
The Melchthal incident is related by Tschudi and other Chroniclers.
1. 621. 9ltd^tg Itcgt, &c., I care nothing for my life.
1. 623. $Jebeui^6lut -^ §er^blut, heart's blood.
1. 625. §errcu6urg, lordly keep.
1. 628, &c. Both the Schreckhorn (13,386 ft.) and the Jnngfran
(13,670 ft.) are in the Bernese Oberland. Formerly it was considered
iJOO WILHELM TELL, [11. 636-691.
impossible to reach their summits. The peaks of the Jungfrau are
constantly covered with snow.
J. 636. igiutntel^bad^, canopy (or * vault ') of heaven.
J- 638. 2)a^ mtge^cuer ®rd§lid^e, i. e. the horrible, monstrous deed.
\i. 641. @tern be^ Singed, poet, for 3lugenftern.
1. 645. Cp. on tuarb 1. 149, n,
1. 646. (Sin 9^ott)get)?e^r, &c., a weapon of defence in the anguish of
despair.
1. 647. @^ j^eKt fld^ (of stags), stands at bay.
1. 649. The assertion that the chamois drags the huntsman down into
th^ abyss is not admitted by modern naturalists.
\i. 650. $f[ugflier for Dd)^ is used in poet, diction only,
1. 653, Understand n?eun before gereijt.
1. 655. ^tc brei :&anbe, i. e. Schwyz, Uri, and Unterwalden.
1. 657. Walther Fiirst represents Uri, Melchthal Unterwalden, and
the speaker Schwyz.
1. 658. 2)tc alten S3unbe, say the ancient league. The old league, or
national confederacy, had been renewed in 1291.
1. 659. @ro§ ijl, &c., my kin in Unterwalden are numerous, ^reunb^
fd)aft denotes here relations collectively.
1. 661, &c. SKenn— @^irm, when he finds support and protection
in his neighbour. Transl. frotttttte by venerable.
1. 664. 2)en 35ie(erfa^rnen (cp. 1. 240, n.) stands here in apposition to
the dat. cud).
1. 666. 5Jli(i^t \?{et erlcBtc, have not had much experience.
1. 668. ^\^i luftern, &c., transl., 1 am not urged by wanton, &c.
1. 670. 3Ba^ aud), &c., i. e. which (fact) might even move a stone to
pity.
1. 677. t^rif(^, here, unhurt.
1. 678. i^remb, strange, i. e. indifferent.
1. 679. Slud^ itbcr, &c. An allusion to the sword of Damocles.
1. 682. ^\jX feib, &c., i. e. you are equally guilty and punishable.
1. 683. Cp. 1. 658.
1. 685. One Herr von Sillinen is described by the chroniclers as a
patriotic noble. Sillineji is in Uri.
1. 687, &c. SSalbgebirg, forest mountains, i. e. in the three forest
cantons. Melchthal addresses himself first to Walther Fiirst and then
to Stauffacher.
1. 689. (5(^te SBdl^rung, sterling value.
1. 690. @ic— .^lang, they enjoy good repute.
1.691. SSdtcrtugcnb, paternal virtue. Uub \)C(hi, (Src,, i. e. they have
greatly increased the good reputation derived from their virtuous fatherSi
11.692-751.] NOTES. ACT I, SC. 4. 201
1. 692. SBag Bvaud}t'^, what need (have we) ?
1. 693. 3Bdren tt)ir bod^, oh, would that we were. The cond, mood
is used in optative clauses, often made emphatic by the adv. bcd^. 3^
meinc, I should think.
1. 696. 2)ie — un^, the nobles are not oppressed by the same distress
as we are.
1.697, etc. S^ieberuitgen, i.e. the lowLmds ; here fig., * common
people.' .^c^n for ^6^n\, heights, here, *the nobles.'
1. 699. (^ntjie^n, lit. to arise ; here, to he wanting.
1. 701. Cbmann, in the sense of ^(^ieb^ric^ter, umpire.
1. 705. ©vforfd^cn, to sound ; to find out the disposition (of).
1. 708. 3Bem— an, whom could it concern more ?
1. 709. @etr»a(|ren, here, to answer^ and in 1. 713 to grant.
1. 711. (Sc^Uc^c, here, secret paths, gelfeuj^eig, rocky byway.
1.717. 2)er 5l(gel{er, he of Alzellen, i.e. Baumgarten. 9Iib bent
SBalb, below the forest ; that is Unterwaldcn, where Alzellen is.
1. 721. Cp. for Bru7tnen and Treib, Introd. Note to Act i. Sc. i.
1. 723. (2c — treibcn, we must not go to work so openly.
1. 725. The Mythenstein is a lonely rock, rising to a height of 80 ft.
from the lake near Brunnen. It now bears the inscription in large gilt
letters: Dein Sanger Tells ^ Friedrich Schiller^ die Urkantone^ i860.
1. 726. §eimli^, lit. ' secret' ; so hidden; secretly.
1. 727. The Riitli {Griitli) is a steep meadow at the foot of the
Seelisberg, on the left side of the Lake of Lucerne ; not far from the
* boundary mark ' (1. 730.) between Uri and Unterwalden.
1. 728. Slu^veuten, to uproot ; to root out.
Etym. — O^iitli seems to be the Swiss form for Oieutc, i.e. the place
where trees, etc. have been rooted out.
1. 734. SSertraute, here, trusty.
1- 735- ^eqeinici = einig im -^cqen, one at heart.
1. 736. ©enteiufam ba^, etc., in common, the common welfare.
!• 737* St^ifcfl ^^ h^^^ ^^^^ ^^^ Wiutl)ig, courageously.
1. 740. 3e^o, obsol. for je^t, is now used in poetry only.
1. 742. Render the alliterative express, ^(^u^ unb %X\\%, lit. protec-
tion and defiance, by defence and protection.
1. 747. ir>ie S^eucrjcid^en, &c., the flaming beacons rise. The Swiss,
like other mountaineers, used to light beacons on the mountains, as
signals of insurrection or of accomplished victories.
1. 749. Understand bann after fod.
1. 751. Unb — tagen, and a bright day shall illuminate thy darkness.
The above Scene is chiefly based on the accounts given by Tschudi
and by J. v. Miiller.
202 WILHELM TELL. [U. 754-798.
@r|le (Scene.
Wemer, Baron von Attinghaitsen^ was chief magistrate (Landamman),
and Banneret (Bannerherr) of the canton Uri, A Swiss Banneret had
charge of the principal banner on the field of battle. Cp. the It. Gonfa-
loniere. The ruins of a castle, called Schweinsberg, which belonged to
the Baron, are still to be seen near the small village of Attinghausen in
Uri. Ulrich von Rudenz (pron. Riidenz) is a fictitious character.
Understand the past part. Qe(e()nt, E. leaning, after ^\.^t.
1. 754. iyru()trunf, lit. moming-draught ; say morning-cup,
1. 755. 2)'? it, say present.
1. 756. SD^it meittem 5luge, i. e. with his watchfulness.
I. 758. JDen ©c^affner mac^en, act the part of a steward.
II. 761-63. Utlb fo, &c., and thus in an ever narrowing sphere, I
slowly move onward towards the narrowest, &c., viz., to the grave.
1- 765. 5c^ — Sunfer, I pledge you in this cup, young squire.
@eJ ge()t. The Eng. idiom requires here the verb comes for gef)t.
Etym. — Sunfer {o^'&. junckher), is a corruption oijungherr, or Junger
Herr.
1. 767. SBenn'^ — iji, during the evening's rest. ^eicraBeitb, denotes the
leisure time in the evening after the day's work is over. Cp. 1. 353, n.
1. 770. 3n bie §errenburg, to the castle, i. e. the residence of
Gessler.
1. 772. @g ettig liaBen, to be in a hurry.
1. 773. 2)af — erfparen, that you must be chary with it to your
uncle.
1- 778. 3ur— gettjorbeit, has become a strange place to you. Uly is
the Swiss abbrev. of Ulrich.
1. 779. ^r^ngen, here, to parade.
1. 780, &c. (Stirag IVX @C^au trageit, to make a show of anything.
The Austrian knights used to wear peacocks' feathers and red
cloaks.
1. 786. Albrecht was angry with the Swiss, because they would not
become his immediate subjects. The German sovereigns were originally
called ^ontge. After 800 they also assumed the title of Kaiser des
heiligen rbmischen Reiches deutscher Natioji.
1. 794. ^ut)(en um, &c., courting princely favour.
1. 798. @g fcftetc (pres. conditional), it would (only) require.
U. 801-865.] NOTES, ACT II, SC, I. 203
1. 801. S)ie 5lugcn ^alten, is used idiomatically for *to shut (keep
closed) the eyes.'
I. 802. 2)em iwa'&rcn S3eflen, their true (real) welfare.
1. 803, &c. §inbern . . . nic^t, cp. 1. 1535, n.
1. 806. SBol^I t^ut, &c., they are mightily pleased to sit on the
nobles' bench, i. e. on the bench reserved for the nobles at public
assemblies.
1. 807. Those who were immediate subjects of the German Empire
enjoyed considerable freedom.
1. 811. $erfon is here used in the sense of OioHc (in plays), i.e.
part.
1. 813, &c. See In trod. Note to the present scene. ^leBctt, i. e. together
with.
1. 817. Sagcr, or Jpoffacjcr, formerly 2iny prmcely court,
1. 818. $air (Fr, from Lat. ^3.1, peer), equal.
1. 820. The pron. fte is here redundantly used. Redundant prons.
often occur in German poetry, before or after the subject or object.
1. 821. (Sie ergriff, i. e. it took hold of you^ willing ear.
1. 824. 2)etr Stemblinge, say, of the foreigner; i.e. the adherents of
the Habsburgs outside Switzerland.
1- 833. Wxx roften, &c., my helmet and shield are rusting. The dat.
of the pers. pron. is idiomatically used in German instead of the poss.
pronoun.
1. 834. J^rotttmetc, instead of !I!rom^etc, is now used in poetry only.
1. 844. §erbeurei^cn, poet, for Jlul)uei()n, say, herd-strain.
1. 846. @(^mev^eit^fef)nfu^t, poet, for fc^meqlitf)e @e()nfu($'t.
1. 847. 2Benn— an!(ingt,.when it strikes your ear. The charm which
the Kuhreihen used to exercise on the Swiss was so great, that it was
formerly forbidden in France to play that melody, because it produced
in the Swiss soldiers an irresistible longing to return to their native
mountains.
1. 848. $Der %X\k^, &c., i. e. the innate love of our country.
1. 852. Cp. 1. 820, n.
1. 855, &c. gurftenfued)t, a prince's vassal, ©elbft^err, say, your
own master.
1. 861. 3(^ bin, &c. These words are put into the mouth of the
Baron in order to make his appeal more pathetic.
1. 863. It was customary to lay the helmet and shield in the grave of
the last descendant of a noble family.
1. 865. 2)^cin bre(^enb §lugc, the closing of my eyes (in death). Cp.
the line in Toplady's well-known hymn Rock of Ages (in its original
form) : When my eye-strings break in death.
204 WILHELM TELL. [11. 866-944.
1. 866. Set)en^of, court of fiefs, i. e. where the fiefs were bestowed.
I. 871. Ung — t)evj^o(len, obstinately and stubbornly persist (in).
II. 874-76. A tax was levied on goods brought to ma^'ket and toll
charged for the use of certain high-roads of commerce. The Emperor
also regulated the courts of justice, and Albrecht appropriated, besides,
the toll on the Gotthard (Gotthart) Pass, the well-known mountain
range on the confines of the Cantons Uri and Tessino.
^aumrofi (sumpter-horse), pack-horse.
Etym. — @autn denotes a bu7'den, weighing not less than 3 cwt.,
carried by any animal ; it is derived from late Lat. saufna. Cp. the
A.S seam and the Fr. somme, load.
1. 881. ^ein Jlaifer, &c., namely, if the next emperor should not be
a Habsburg. Cp. 1. 193, n.
1. 882. 5luf 3mbg. SScrt i\tO^^ geBeU, to place reliance on anyone's
word, or promise.
1. 883, &c 5flof^ in both the compounds, distress ; ftc^ flud)ten, to
take refuge. The Eagle is the symbol of the German Empire.
1. 885. ^cnt Oieic^, &c., alienate from the empire. The German Em-
perors had the privilege of temporarily pledging countries, cities, &c.
1. 889. @e^t — (Stamm, is transferred from line (dynasty) to line.
1. 891, &c. @rb()erni, here, hereditary sovereign. ^ei§t . . . ftreu'n,
that is sowing, ^erbienen is here used for fic^ »evbiencn, i. e. to deserve
(well of).
1. 896. (Scfeiff tta(^ . . . T)iuuuter, sail down to. Attinghausen lies on
the Reuss, which flows into the Lake of Lucerne. The Canton of Lu-
cerne was the property of the Habsburgs, who ruled there despotically.
1. 898. Unfrc @d)af', &c., i. e. for the object of levying taxes.
1. 900. $I)en— bannen, appropriate the great game and noble birds.
§OCi)tiUG, Jpod)9ett)ilb(c), viz. birds and animals belonging to larger
game.
1. 911. A Swiss contingent, consisting of 600 men, assisted the
Emperor Frederick II at the siege of Favenza— now Faenza— in Italy,
in 1240-41.
1. 915. gUttcrfd^cin, tinsel ornament.
1. 92 1 , etc. -^nupfe fell, knit firmly together. Cp. 11. 319, 438, and notes,
1. 927. gang nic^t tnei^r, for a long time.
L 934. Cp. 3c^ ae§ fte . . . in (^eilen {cords) bcr Siebe 0er)cn, Hos. xi. 4.
1. 935. 2)a^ grdulein, say, the noble maiden.
1. 938. Transl. bag ^.Ritterfrciulein by the noble dame.
1. 941. ^od& — befd)icben, but she is not destined for your innocent
heart.
1. 944. ©rl^alten, here, keep back; preserve.
11.945-998.] NOTES. ACT II, SC. 2. 205
!• 945- 3ft .. . aBgefaffcn, has deserted (the people's cause). Wol-
fenschieszen's kinsmen are described as very patriotic.
1. 948. ©cwaltfam jivebenb, vigorously striving.
1. 949. i^rembe, here, foreign elements ; foreign manners.
1. 952. JDringt f)crein, penetrates (into the country).
1. 954. (Jin anber^benfenbe^, &c., a race with new ideas.
1. 956. SS alien, poet, for io act.
Bit)eite (Ecenc.
The present scene is laid on the Riitli. Cp. 11. 724-29, and noUs.
SWonbregenbogen, lunar rainbow.
Sim S3ii()e(, lit. * on the hill,' is a Swiss name.
1. 059. ^er — jl($, the mountain pass opens.
2Sinblirf>ter, torches.
1. 962. Sanbmann, stands here for Sanbgmann, fellow-countr^'man.
1. 964. genertt)dd)ter, i. e. the night-watchnan, who gave the alarm in
case oifire, and who called out the hours of the night. Selisberg is a
small village near a lake of the same name, not far from the Riitli.
1. 966. 3}?ettengIorf(ein, matin-bell.
Etym.— 2}Jette, from the Lat. ' matutina hora.' M.H.G. metttne,
metti.
1. 967. <S(^tol);;crtanb, i. e. the canton of Schwyz.
The name 33on ber gliie is still current in Switzerland. Ihe
denotes in the Swiss dialect, * a rocky eminence.'
1. 969, ©e^'n einige, is an ellipt. imperative, i.e. let some go.
/I. 970. ^a§— brennc, that there be a blazing fire.
1/ 1. 978. The phenomenon of lunar rainbows is of rare occurrence.
1. 981. Cp. 1. 134, «., and 1. 731.
1. 983. ^inb e^, it is. Cp. the Fr. ce sont.
1. 985. $Da§ — I)intergel)en, in order to escape the governor's spies.
1. 986. SSort is here used for Sofnng6tr>ort, watch-word.
1. 990, &c. ©efcgen, here imbibed. Seined SBlicfef, i. e. of his eyes.
^^992, &c. Constr. 2Bir ivoICen ni($t ®ef($ef)neg rd(^en (fonbern), &c.
1. 995. The verb [(^ajfen, in the sense of to do ; to bring about, is
weak [reg.] @ett>orben, here, achieved. The def. art. before gemetne
is omitted for rhythmical reasons.
1. 996, &c. Transl. ben! cn, here by are minded, and ©tricf en by nets.
1. 998, &c. Schiller adopted the spelling 6'///'^«^/^, instead of the now
usual Siirenen, for the sake of the rhythm. This Pass, also called
Sureneft-Eck (7479 ft.), lies between the Cantons Uri and Unterwalden.
The eastern side of the Pass is covered with perpetual snow.
206 WILHELM TELL, [11.1000-1077.
I. 1000. Samwcvcieier, vulture.
II. 1001-3. Sltpentrift, Alpine pasture. (Sic^ . . . autufenb gvu^eit,
greet each other (by calling out). The Engelbo-g (3291 ft.) in Unter-
walden has given its name to the valley and the village situated in it.
1. 1004. ©letfc^er 2)iild^, poet, for glacier-water^ on account of its
colour.
1. 1005. O^utlfen, crevices (caused in the Alps by the rushing water).
/ 1. 1006, &c. The herds77ien's huts in the Alps are not inhabited in
winter. The conj. baf after bl^ is now used in higher diction only.
1. loio. ^\\\, in poet, diction, report. Cp. for gef(f)e!^n, 1. 378, n.
1. loii. gvomme (Stirfur^t, pious reverence, i. e. compassionate
regard.
1. 1 014. When two attributive adjectives occur together, the inflect,
termin. of the first is often omitted in poet, diction, as geiraltfattt for
getraltfamen. Db . . . bem Oiegiment, here, about the government.
1. 1016. Sftd'fjren, lit. 'to nourish'; here, to produce.
■ J\. 1018. ^en — befolgen, pursue, unalterably, the self-same course.
This is an actual fact, as far as those regions are concerned.
1. 102 1. Xragen, in poetry for ertragen, to brook.
1. 1022. 5l(t comp. with genicf)nt (p. p. of gettJO^ltcn) is transl. by long,
1. 1023. Oieii^ten — bar, they held out to me.
^^ 1. 1028. The words ben eurigeu are addressed to Stauffacher.
1. 1032. @el)6fte, say, farm.
Etym.— ©efjefte (more correctly ©e'^ofbe), is a collective noun formed
from §c>f, and denotes all the buildings belonging to ay^rw.
1. 1034. 93ctteru, in general, kinsjnen ; kin. 25 ieltterbveitet, say, scat-
tered far and near. Cp. 1. 659, n.
1. 1036. Sluf-(Stro^ = auf bem ©tro"^ »mi grembctt. Cp. 1. 604, &c.
1. 1039. ®o§ id) . . . au^, lit, * I poured out'; transl. I wasted.
1. 1043. S^ fpal)t', say, but I spied.
1. 1050. ©eben (of the soil), to yield; taubt, here, extorts.
1. 1055. @inb'^, it is. In German, the grammatical strictness re-
quires the verb fein to r.gree with the two subjects. Cp. the Fr. 'ce sont'
1. 1056. Cp. 11. 72, 77, 558, and notes.
1.1057. i^e(fenti?df(e-=felftge SSciffe.
1. 1059. 2)1 it eiQIien, &c. In such phrases the poss. pron. is omitted
in German.
^1. 1064. SBej^^vinc^ett, stands here for begaf)men, to control oneself.
I. 1072. Meier von Sarnen and Winkelried are mentioned by the
chroniclers as patriotic nobles.
II. 1074-77. The chroniclers relate that one Winkelried having slain
a man accidentally, killed a dragon at Weiler near Roszberg, in order
II. 1078-1131.] NOTES, ACT II, SC. 2. 207
to atone for his crime; but, bespattering himself with the dragon's
blood, he died.
1. 1078. §interm SSalb, i. e. in Obwalden. .^(oflerteute, vassals of the
convent.
1. 1080. ©igne ^tyxi^, serfs. Cp. the express. leiBetgett.
1. 1082. 9Soft( berufcn (p.p. of berufeuV of good repute.
1. 1083. Render @g prcife f[cf>, by happy he, and ^niic&tig by subject.
\ _ 1. 1 .085. ®ft)eif)t, thrives ; i. e. honesty may exist in any station of life.
1. 1086. The Redings were distinguished as Swiss patriots. 5i(tlanb?
amuiaun, former Landammann. Cp. Introd. Note to Act ii. Sc. i.
1. 1087. SSibcr^art, antagonist, is a hybrid express., consisting of a
German and a Latin word.
1. 109T. See on the IIo7'7t of Uri, 1. 2847, n. The name Sluf ber
2}?aucr, lit. * On the wall,' is Swiss.
|J,..*095. Understand aB before @in.
1. 1098. The Swiss use (Stgvift for SWe^ncr, or ^iiflcr, sacristan.
Etym. — ©{(^rijl, derived from the late Lat. sacrista (fr. sacrum),
early assumed the O.H.G. form, sigiristo.
1. 1102. vgonnenfi^euen, sun-dreading.
\. 1 104. ^o(en, lit. * to fetch'; here, assert ^ or recover,
1. 1 105. ©rf)Oog, lit. 'lap'; here fig. face.
I. 1 1 06. Si^'^i'^ gut fein, no matter.
II. 1 106-7. These lines are founded on a proverbial saying. Self fvci,
&c.,i. e shall freely and brightly burst forth in the light of the sun.
Feminine nouns were formerly also declined in the sing, number.
1. 1 108. 9Bag — gibt, what God inspires me with.
1. 1 109. Sanb^gemeinbc, in Switzerland, ^^w^ra/^j-j-^w^/j',
1. mo. Bennett geltcn, may count.
1. 1 1 II. !5!agcn, denotes primarily, * to dawn'; fig. to hold a diet; to
deliberate (in an assembly).
1. II 1 8. 3jl — 9^a(^t = oBgtcid^ C^ ^\i^i iji ; construe similarly 1. 11 19.
1. II 19. SSoH, here, complete.
1. II 21. 5lu(^ is in similar inverted clauses equivalent to cBglctd^. ^ic
altcn S5ii($er, i.e. the Statute books, on which the Swiss authorities
used to be sworn.
1. 1 1 24. At Swiss public meetings two swords used to be set upright
at the tribune, as emblems of authority, and two bailiffs (SBaibel,
1. II 26) stood by the side of the presiding La7idammann .
Etym. — 3BaiBe( (more usual ©eibeO is said to be derived from hjcbeu
in the sense of ' to move about ' ; hence tr>eibeln, to canvass.
1. 1130. ^tef)en fvei, &;c. retire willingly (from the contest).
1. 1 1 31. Melchthal confirms Meier's declaration, giving his reasons for it.
^08 WILHELM TELL. [11. 1134-1191.
1. 1 1 34. The Expeditions to Rome were undertaken, with great military
pomp, by the Emperors of Germany in order to be crowned there.
1. 1 1 36. Tradition represents the people of Schwyz as the stock from
whom all the other Germans in Helvetia sprang ; and they consequently
gave the name to both country and people, viz. @(i)lDei^, @d)U)eijer.
1. 1138. A man of Schwyz shall have the lead in the deliberative
council, and a man of Uri on the j^e/ci of battle.
1. 1 1 39. ^cm filter, to old age ; i. e. the honour should be allotted to
the oldest person among the men of Uri.
1. 1144. 2Bag is used in G. poetry for hjaruttl, njc^f)vt(b, as what ia
E. poetry for why, what for (Lat. quid).
1. 1 145. 2)e^ iageg «!paupt, the chief of the Diet.
1. H47. 5luf bie ^^iic^er. Cp. 1. 1121, ^.
1. 1 148. ^Droben Bei ben, by yon . . . above.
1. 1 149. @icf) entfernen, here, to deviate; to swerve.
1. 1 1 50. $Die brei, &c., i.e. the people of the three forest-cantons,
Schwyz, Uri, and Unterwalden.
1. 1 152. 3n ber, &c., at the hour when spirits walk. As a matter of
fact it was past midnight. Cp. 1. 965.
1. 1 153, &c. Sn^alt, here, import, ©ternen^immel, starry heavens.
1. 1 158. Db may be used in poetry for obgleiC^.
1. 1 162. SSie'^ . . . lautet, what is related.
1. 1 163. In order to express motion or direction more emphatically,
preps, are sometimes followed by advs., or other preps., as here, Don . . .
{)er, from. 2B alien, poet, for toanbern.
1. 1 167. Transl. here gro^ by 7iunterotis and !^inten hy far away.
1. 1 168. SD'Jittcrnai^t, referring to the quarter of the heavens, North,
2)ag is here a demonstr. pron. Transl. fd)tt)erer Xf)eurung, hy great fa juine.
Etym.— 3}2itter in a)^ittentac^t is the dat. of mHit.
1. 1169, &c. Cp. for Sanb^gemeinbe, 1. 1109, 71. Seber, every.
1. 1173. ^eequg, host. 5i)Httag^fonne, fig. ior south. Cp. 1. 1168, «.
1. 1 1 74. @ic^ [(^lagenb, lit. fighting; i. e. cutting their way.
1. 1 1 76. S'f)er nid)t, &c., the host did not flag in their march before, &c.
I. 1 1 78. The Muotta (the vowels u and should be pronounced
nearly as one syllable) flows through a secluded valley of the same
name in Schwyz.
1. 1 181. SSarten is used in poetry with the gen. for to take care of', ^
to attend to.
1. 1186. Unb tneintcn, &;c., i.e. they felt as if they were.
1. 1 189, &c. (Sauer, lit. 'sour,' is used fig. for hard, toilsome ; bcn 2BaIb,
i. e. the forest-trees. 5lue{/^urcben = au^juveuten. Cp. 1. 728, n,
1. 1 191. @(e)nu3en tl)un, to suffice.
II. 1192-1231.] NOTES, ACT 11, SC, 1. 209
1. 1 192. §inuBer, i. e. across the Lake of Lucerne.
1. 1 193. S)er fc^it>ar^e ^erg, i. e. the Briinig or Brauneck Pass
(3379 ft.), between Unterwalden and the Bernese Oberland. The
district called Weiszland, or Oberhasli im Weiszland, comprehends all
the upper part of the Aar valley.
1. 1 195. @in anbre^, &c. Close to the Hasli itn Weiszland lies the
canton of Valais (Wallis), the inhabitants of which speak a dialect
partly Romance and partly Teutonic.
1. 1 196. The Kemwald dWidts the canton of Unterwalden into two
parts, and Stanz is the chief place of the part called Nid defn Wald.
1. 1 197. Altorfis situated in a plain traversed by the Reusz and the
Schdchen.
1. 1 198. ©ebcnf for eingeben!, mindful, is chiefly used in poetry.
1. 1200. 3n SD'iitte for in ber ^iiit may be used in poetry only.
1. 1 201. giuben fic^ . . . Ijerau^, recognize each other.
1. 1202. (5^ (^y^i^ &c., i.e. the sympathetic heart and kinship make
themselves known.
The tradition that the Swiss had the same origin as the Swedes, or
Frisians, and that they emigrated, to the number of over 7000,
from the North in consequence of a great famine, is related by Swiss
chroniclers, and in an old ballad called the Ostfriesenlied.
1. 1208. ^^^tn, i. e. villains, according to feudal law ; ^2iy ^.inhabitants.
Etym. — @affen, lit. settlers, is deiived from the impf. pi. of fl^eit.
grembe $j!id^ten = $f!i(i^ten gegen grembc, say, foreign bondage.
1. 1209. @rbt auf, descends to.
1. 12 15. In the C/z^r/^r which the emperor Frederick II granted to
the Swiss at the siege of Faenza (cp. 1. 911, n^, it is distinctly stated that
they * freely submitted to the supremacy of the Empire.'
1. 1 2 18. SGBo ttian, &c., to whom we may appeal for our right.
1. 1 2 19. gixr seems here to be used in the sense oi as regards.
1. 1221. 5)ie @f)t', &c., i. e. they granted the sovereign honour.
1. 1222. The German Emperors also claimed the sovereignty over
Italian (it)elf(^en) lands, Cp. for the etym. of iDelfc^, Goethe's Egmotit^
p. 8, 1. 18, n.
1. 1224. (StC^ @inem getobcn, to pledge oneself to any one.
1. 1227. 2Ba^ briiber iji, i. e. all that goes beyond this allegiance.
1. 1228. SBeun ber, &c., when the war summons was issued.
Etym. — §eribann (now ^eerbann), is derived from the late Latin
heribannusj i. e. the ban, or summons of the army ; O.H.G. heri.
1. 1229, &c. (Seine refers to the Emperor. — SSappneu is used in
higher diction for ttjaffnen.
1. 1231. Cp. 1. 1134, n.
P
aiO WILHELM TELL. [11. 12 34-1 286.
1. 1234. JDcr ^od^fte S5tutBann, &c., i.e. the penalty of death could
be inflicted by the Emperor alone.
1. 1235. Unb bagu, &c., for this purpose there was appointed.
1. 1237. SSenn— fam, when a murder took place.
1. 1239. Sa^ Oie(^t fpred^en, to pass (or ' deliver') judgment.
1. 1245. Transl. ba by wheUy and Biegen (lit. to bend) by to pervert,
1. 1246, &c. ©otte^^aug, here, convent. See for Einsiedeln,\. 519, ».
1. 1247. Un^ bic 5t(p, &c., laid claim to the Alp. The pron. v^Xi^ is
here an ethical dative^ on which see 1. 2313, n.
1. 1248. JDic h)ir ben?eibet, on which we pastured (our cattle).
1. 1249. J&erfiirgog, obsol. for ]^er»oqog. ^rief, here, charter.
1. 1252. ^rfd^(i($en iji, has been surreptitiously obtained.
1. 1255. 2)c^ Oieic^g cntbei^ren, i.e. dispense with the protection of
the Empire.
The incident related by Stauffacher is based on an historical fact.
1. 1258. The express, frctttbett ^ncc^t is here used collectively for the
foreigjt vassals of the Habsburgs.
1. 1259. 3n feincr, &c., i.e. what no powerful Emperor durst do to
us. The verb bteteit is often used by itself in the sense of * to offer an
affront ' ; * to inflict any injury.*
1. 1264, &c. Old legends mention the existence of dragons in
Switzerland., Cp. 1. 1075, n,
1. 1266. By cultivating the soil, they diminished the perpetual * misty
cover.'
1, 1269. $Den jid^crn, &c., thrown a safe footbridge.
1. 12 71. ^evrenfnedf>t, lit. the servant of a lord; say, servile vassal.
I. 1275. The E. idiom requires here an affirmative, \iz. yes !
II. 1276-85. When the oppressed man can nowhere find justice, and
the yoke of tyranny becomes unbearable, he confidently extends his
hand to the heavens and thence brings down his eternal rights, which
are suspended above inalienable and indestructible, like the stars them-
selves. The primitive state of nature again returns — where man meets
man face to face. When all other means are of no avail, the sword is
given to him as a last resource ^. Cp. 11. 644-54.
1. 1286, &c. $£)er ©liter I)oc^|leg, i. e. freedom.— The use of »cr
instead of fiir in 1. 1287 imparts a local colour to the speech.
^ The above passage, which contains a philosophical plea for the
right of resistance, is perhaps the most difficult in the whole drama,
•both as regards the language and the meaning. It seemed therefore
advisable to give a full paraphrase of it.
U. 1290-1346.] NOTES. ACT II, SC, %. %\\
1. 1290. Bum <S(i>tt)erte Qteifen, to have recourse to (to draw) the
sword. — Cp. on the import of Rosselmann's speech 11. 796-805, notes.
1. 1296. SSir . . . fc^tt>6ren, we are to swear allegiance. — Note here
and in 11. 1299, 1300, the elliptical use of the infinitive, which often
occurs in familiar language.
1. 1300. SSir un^, &c., are we to allow them to extort by force, &c.
The speaker alludes to Albrecht's * kindly' proposals to the free Cantons
to become his immediate subjects.
1. 1302. (S'g corresponds here to the E. so,
1. 1303. 2)et fei, &c., let him be expelled from the community.
1. 1308, &c. Transl. vcc^tlog by outlawed^ baar by stripped {pf\ and
5euet by hearth.
1. 1 31 2. (Jrtrp^en is here used emphatically for crtangcn.
1. 1 3 14. The compar. ttjeiter is used as an ellipt. imper. for, go on I
1. 1 31 5. The expletive aucb answers here to the E. are you sure?
1. 1316, &c. (§g \^ ttJO^l . . . ni^t, it may be, it is not.
1. 1 31 8. 2)tefe0 Se^tc, this last attempt, i. e. to bring their grievances
before Albrecht.
1. 1324. 9?C)eiufcIb is a small town in the Canton of Aargau. $fatj,
for Impe7'ial Palace^ is used in poet, diction only.
Etym.— $fa(j is derived, like $alajl, and the corresponding E. and
Fr. equivalents, from the Lat. ' palatium.*
1. 1329. aSom f^tvdb'f^en Sanbc = won @d^n)aBen, from Suabia,
i. e. the extensive South-Western district, which formed one of the ten
circles into which Germany was divided from about 1500 to 1806.
£auf, lit. course ; say, district.
1. 1330. S)te is here a demonstr. pron. See for 5>crgamentc, 1. 244, n.
1- 1335' @t toiirbe, &c., he may probably, at some time or other,
think of us — Note the evasive character of this speech.
1- 1337- ^anfcn is the ace. of §ang, the pop. abbrev. of Sc^iatin.
Duke John of Suabia was the son of Rudolph, the brother of Albrecht,
and he was ' heir to possessions in Switzerland through his mother,
and in Suabia and Alsace through his father.
1. 1338. @r!cif, here and in most instances, bow-window,
Etym. — (Sr!cr is traced to the Lat. 'arcus,* bow ; Med. Lat. 'arcora.'
L 1339. These nobles were the friends and admirers of the Duke.
1. 1343- •&intert|alten, with the dat. of the person and the ace of the
thing, corresponds to j^uriicf ^altett, to withhold (from).
1. 1344. (Sein SKittterlid^e^, i. e. property inherited from his mother.
1. 1345. <Seinf 3al)re »o(( i&aben, to be of age.
1. 1346. Transl. the alliterat. expression £ant> unb ^eute, by his
dominions,
P 2
212 WILHELM TELL, [U. 1347-1401.
1. 1347. SBag tt»arb, &c., what answer was given to him ?
Konrad Hunn's speech is, in general, founded on historical facts, but
the incidents related in 11. 1324-35, and in 11. 1336-48, did not take
place simultaneously.
1. 1352. dg l\)X(X„ See, can prudently bring it to a successful issue.
1- I353> &c. Slbtreiben, here, to shake off. See for ererbt, 1. 378, n.
1- 1356. 9lad^ bem, &c., grasp at innovations.
1- 1357- Cp. the saying, 'Render to Caesar the things that are
Caesar's.' Mark xii. 17.
1. 1359- ^in ®nt in Scl^en tragen, to hold land in fief.
1. 1 36 1. (Steuent, here, to pay tribute. Rapper sweil, formed from
Ruprechtsvilla, and corrupted by the Swiss into Rapperschwyl^ is a
small town on the Upper Ziirich Lake.
1. 1362. 3u ginfen, to pay rent.
1. 1363. ^tx gro^en, &c., to our Lady (i. e. the Nunnery dedicated to
the Virgin Mary) of Ziirich I have sworn homage.
1. 1370- S^oti^gebrungeu, driven by necessity.
1. 1373- ©taat^flug, lit. versed in politics ; say, prudently.
1. 1374. 2)eun bin'gc, &c., for a people inspires due fear.
1. 1377. (S^ l^at, &c., the enemy is fully armed.
1. 1381. Cp. for 3ft Batb, 1. 57, n.
1. 1382. Ung ragen, &c., two strongholds command the country.
Utt^ is here an ethical dat. Cp. 1. 2313, ;^.
1. 1383- SBerben furc^tBar, the present is here used for the future.
1. 1384, &c. 3n ein Sanb fatten, to invade a country. The two for-
tresses Roszberg diXid Saimen, (for which see 11. 77, 1056, notes) are here
considered as forming one notion ; hence the singular xCiVi^.
1. 1387. A conditional clause may be expressed briefly by omitting
the conj. tDeuIl and putting it in an inverted form before the principal
clause. The latter is then also put in the inverted form, and is
generally introduced by the conj. fo. Principal clauses so construed, are
often rendered into E. by the future tense, as here, (SaUttlt VdQilX fo
lang, &c., if we delay so long, the enemy will be warned y &c.
1. 1389. ^inb't, syncopated for finbet.
1. 1390. S)er @ifer . . . ber gute, honest zeal. Cp. 1. 319, n.
L 1391. Cp. above 1. 1387, n., and 7totes to 11. 360, 370.
1. 1394. ^^^ barf, &c., dares Uri taunt us thus? Cp. 1. 1259, n,
1. 1395. S3ei eurem @ibe, i. e. the citizen's oath on the constitution.
1. 1397. SScifen is here used for toertreifen, to reprimand.
L 1398- ^'\i ^eft'gem ©inn, with impetuosity. •
1. 1400. %t^i be0 ^errn, feast of the Lord, 1. e. Christmas.
1. 1401. S3ringt'^ mit, requires. See for ^ajfen, or ©a^cn, 1. 1208, n.
U. 1403-1453.] NOTES, ACT II, SC. 2,, 213
1. 1403. S^ficn is the original, and ge^ltl the contracted form.
1. 1405. Render Sii^reil . . . mit, by ' will carry with them,' and
f^i^ige (Sifen, lit. ' pointed iron (weapons),' by ' iron lances ' or ' pikes.'
1. 1408. ^er grcge Ǥaufe/ lit. the multitude ; here, * the rest of the
people.'
1. 1409, &c. (Bi^ einer <Sa$e crrndd^tiGen, or Bemdd^tigen, to succeed
in taking possession of anything.
I. 141 2. The speaker refers to the castle of Sarnen, which was cap-
tured, according to the chroniclers, in the way described.
II. 141 3-16. 2)enn, &c., for a maiden in the castle is kind to me, and
I shall easily persuade her to let down a slender ladder in the night.
1. 141 7. S3 in i(^, &c., if I only am there, i. e. once up.
1. 1418. ^af »erf(^oben, &c., that there should be a delay. — Not only
intrans., but also trans, verbs may be used in German in a general way
— without any object — as is done here with the verb t)erfc!^oben.
1. 141 9. ^ci^x is here used substantively for majority (of votes).
1. 1422. 2)er Sanbjiurm, &c., the country will be called to arms.
Sanbfiurm (Fr. levee en masse) has no equivalent in E.
1. 1424. 2)er SBaffen @ruft, i. e. the stern reality of (our) arms.
1. 1426. drgreifen friebli^e^ <^t{t\i, say, accept safe conduct.
I. 1428. ©d^lDeren ©tanb, say, stubborn resistance. Oieiffge, 1. 74, n.
II. 1430-32. These words are put by the author into the mouth of
Stauffacher in extenuation of Tell's subsequent deed.
1- 1433- 9Bo'0 — ijl, wherever there is mortal danger.
1- 1435- 3n bic @(^an^e fd^kgen, to risk ; to stake.
Etym. — The word @(^an^e in the sense of 'stake,' or *risk,' is
derived from the Fr. chance, hazard.
1. 1437. The popular adage runs : ^ommi ^t\i, fommt Slat^.
1. 1438. SKan mu|/ &c., i.e. something must be left to t|;ie inspiration
of the moment.
1. 1439. 2Bir — tagcn, we (still) hold a diet at night-ti?ne. Cp. 1. 1 1 1 1, «.
1. 1441, &c. §od^tt)aci^t, here, beacon. !^eud)ten, say, light.
©amtnlutig, in a religious sense : * meditation ' ; ' devotion.'
1. 1446. ©d^lr>er atl^menb, breathing with difficulty. £lua(m is the
more poet, express, for 2)atn:|?f, vapour.
Etym. — dualm denoted originally * stupor,' and was subsequently
applied to stupefying smoke, or vapour. It is allied to the word Clual.
Cp. the A.S. cwalm and wylm.
1. 1448. (Ein^ig, in the sense of eitttg, united, is now obsolete.
1. 1453. According to tradition the oath was first pronounced
by Walther Fiirst, Stauffacher, and Melchthal, and then repeated by the
other thirty conspirators.
2T4 WILHELM TELL. [11.1455-1501.
1. 1455. Cp. for 5veunbf(^aft, 1. 659, n. The obsol. term ®eno^?
fame is still used in Switzerland for district (politically considered),
or coinmunity,
Etym. — ©enc^famc has been formed from @eno^, ' fellow*; 'associate,'
which again is derived from tlie^ett, gente^en, to 'enjoy in common*
(cp. the A. S. geneat), and the adjectival suffix fattt, denoting equality,
or similarity. Cp, the A. S. sum, and the Mod. E. some and same,
1. 1458. S3i^ ba'^in, i. e. until the time of the general rising.
1. 1461. Sluf eintnat, at once; at the same time.
1. 1464. JDcnit O^aub, &c., for he robs the common weal.
Swiss chroniclers relate that the Riitli-meeting took place during the
Wednesday night before St. Martin's Day in 1307.
The brilliant flourish with which the Orchestra falls in indicates
the coming freedom, as also does the rising sun.
©ritter Qlufjug*
@rjle (Scene.
The Swiss Chronicles state that Tell was married to a daughter of
Walther Fiirst (cp. 1. 555), and two of their children, Walther and
Wilhelm, are mentioned by name.
1. 1466. This song, popularly known in Germany under the name
of Schiitze7tlied, is written in trochees.
1. 1468. Cp. for ^ommt . . . Qcgogen, 1. 65, n.
1. 1469. %x\x\) am, &c., with the first ray of morning.
1. 147 1. 2Bei"^, any bird of prey, more particularly vulture , or kite',
say here, eagle.
1. 1474. JDag 9Beite, here, the free (or * open ') space.
1. 1477. %Uvi0^t, freud^t, for fiiegt, !rie(^t, now occur in poetry only.
1. 1478. 3ji tnir, &c. Understand geriffetl after ent^ttJei, i. e. has
snapped (asunder). SD'^ad^ett, here, to mend.
1. 1 48 1. The rel. pron. n)a6 may be used collectively in the sense of
'who ' ; 'those who.' Cp. 1. 1739.
1. 1484. @i(^ ftif(^, &c., wants bravely to fight his way. See 1. 742, n,
1. 1490. 3d^ mit'^ . . . erbeute, I win it.
1. 1491. ^au^frau, lit. mistress of the house; here, wife.
1. 1494. Sffiagefa'firten, hazardous expeditions.
1. 1499. S)en t^e'^Ifrrung t^iun, missing thy leap. See 1. 649, n.
1. 1501. The SCtnblamnen, 'drift (*dust* or * powder') avalanches/
consist of snow set in motion by the wind.
11.1502-1552.] NOTES. ACT III, SC, I. ai5
Etym. — Satt?inc, late-Latin lahina and then lavina, is said to be de-
rived from the Lat. labi, to fall. Some derive it from laiien, ' to thaw/
and others again from letnctt (tdunett) in the sense of * to lean.*
1. 1502. The %\xXi, iccy often only appears to be a solid mass.
1. 1507. @eit>erb', here, calling.
1. 1508. 2)a6 {)a(0gefd^rlt($, &c., which full of danger leads along, &c.
1. 1509. SBer frifef), &c., he who actively looks about, &c.
1. 15 10. ©clcnfc, here, agile.
1. 151 1. 2)er ringt ftc^, he will save himself. %a[)X in poetry for
©efafir.
1. 1 51 3. §dlt ba^, &c., the gate will hold a good while. See for
Sa'^r unb %QiO^, Minna v. Barnhelm, p. 8, 1. 2, n.
1. 1517. SCic fommjl, «&:c., what makes you think that?
^6 — ettt>a^, fig., some plot is being devised ; something is brooding.
1. 15 19. See forgctagt, 1. mi, n.
1. 1520. 3^ hJar, &c., I was not present. ^\i denotes companion-
ship. — @i(^ elttgie^en, here, to hold back (from). Cp, 11. 440-45.
1. 1524. !iBerntcgen, here, capacity; power.
1. 1525. 2)cu Hntcrttalbiter, him from Untei-walden. See 11. 127-60.
1. 1528. The usual phrase is 2Beib Uttb «^inb, but Tell's wife modestly
inverts the terms.
1- 1530. 3u f^iffen, here, to put out. ^ag l^cigt, say, that / . . .
call ; that was.
1. 1535. The negative adv. ttid^t may be used in German — as is done
in Greek and in French — after verbs like ^ct^utcn, »ert)inbern, &c. It
is, of course, omitted in the Eng. rendering.
1. 1539. (S^ni (from 5l!^n), in Switzerland and South Germany =«
®rof ttater. Understand gefjen after niit. Cp. 1. 432, n.
1. 1544. Cp. the German adage, X()WC 0?ed&t Uttb fd)ette SfJietttattb, do
what is right, and fear no one, and the Fr. saying, — Fais ce que dois,
advienne que pourra.
1. 1549. 3!)a has here a demonstr. signification, corresponding to
the Eng. there or rather then, but may be in similar instances freely
rendered by 'and.' In 1. 1551, ba has the force of the conj. as. In
1. 1555, however, ba again signifies then, and may be so translated.
©titttbe, here, ravines.
1. 1550. The ©d^dc^cntt>at near Biirglen derives its name from the
river Schdchen by which it is traversed. 5luf Tttettfi^etllecrcr 'S).nir, on a
desolate track.
1. 1551. gctfenfictg = fclftger ©tcig. Turn similarly getoanb (1. 155.^).
1. 1552. SBo ttid)t . . . ir>ar, where it was impossible. — Relations of
possibility may be expressed in German by the auxiliary verbs ](|abert
2l6 WILHELM TELL. [11. 1553-1618.
and fcin, in connection with the supine (i.e. the infinitive preceded
by ju).
1- ^553- Cp. for iiBer . . . %ix, 1. 1163, n,
®t\pcixint, here, intense ; ea^er.
1. 1558. §erre instead of ^err is still sometimes used in popular
language.— The forms mein, feitl, the old gen. of ic^, er are still used,
especially in poetry, with verbs requiring that case.
1. 1560. Cp. for QthuU, 1. 565, n.
1. 1562. SSerblajfcn expresses the fact of turning pale more emphati-
cally than crblaffen, and is, besides, more appropriate to the popular
tone of the speech.
1. 1563. 2)ie ^mc, &c., i. e. his knees refused their office.
1. 1564, &c. 5ln bie, a/on^^ or against, Cp. for fein 1. 1558, n.
1. 1570. See for ba above, 1. 1549, n.
The incident related by Tell was invented by the author.
1. 1574. 2)ort h?eg, elliptical for t»on bort tt)eg.
1. 1577. The speaker interprets her vague feeling of fear as a pre-
sentiment of some misfortune which is sure to happen.
1. 1581. S5)dltt) is the popular Swiss abbreviation of SSalt^er.
1. 1582. Slu^ is here an expletive, having a comforting meaning, and
may be translated by * but.'
3it)eite (Scene.
2BatbgeQenb, part of the forest. (StauBBcii^e, lit. dust-brooks, i. e.
brooks, or cascades, which, as they leap down from very high rocks,
convert the water into minute, dust-like particles of spray, like the well-
known Staubbach near Lauterbrunnen.
1. 1586. The title of Jvdltleitl (say here, lady) was formerly given to
ladies of rank only.
1. 1589. SBdlj' X^, say, I throw.
1. 1 59 1. 3ft bort l)inaug, goes yonder.
1. 1597. 2)a§ i(^ . . . erf)ebe, i. e. that he should dare to raise.
1. 1600. S)ie— Uttlttevben, who, full of renown and splendour, court
your favour.
1. 1603. 2)er treulo^ h?irb an, who betrays (or ' deserts').
1. 1607. Cp. 11. 932-38.
1. 161 1. S)em naturijergeffenen, i.e. who forgets the ties of nature;
.say, unnatural.
1. 16 1 3. Transl. h)a^ Itegt . . . ndf>er, by 'what concerns . . . more
nearly ' ; and bie @einen, by 'his kindred.'
1. 1618. 3)ie @eele blutet ntir. Cp. 1. 833, n. .
11. 1621-1711.] NOTES, ACT III, SC, 1. 21^
I. 1621. @g ^iel^t, &c. Cp. 1. I, n.
1. 1624. ©eborncn, say, natural.
1. 1628. S3ejtX)ingen, here, do violence (Jo) ; or compel.
1. 1629. Semanbc^ S3efie hjollen, to wish any one's welfare.
1. 1630. The clause SIB ill ic^ tentl also refers to this line. Cp.
11. 796-805.
1. 1632. (Sdfelof , here, stronghold.
1. 1638. SKir ttJdre beffer, it were better for me.
1. 1649. §l[(e^ Id^t, &c., i. e. her love will * enable' him to become
and to be everything she may desire.
1. 1650, &c. Understand bag after @cib. Cp. 11. 914-23.
1. 1655. @UC^ Bejl^en, say, (ever) call you my own.
1. 1657. 2)er ^sBernjanbten, &c., i. e. of Gessler and his family who,
like Bertha, bore the title of Von Bruneck.
1. 1659, &c. Bruneck is in Aargau, but by placing Bertha's estates
in the forest cantons, the poet has made her own emancipation con-
tingent upon the liberation of the people of those cantons, who alone
at that time bore the name of Schweizer.
1. 1 66 1, bittern cincn S3 lief auft^un, to open a view (or * prospect ')
to any one.
1. 1664. '^\i bem, &c., i. e. with the * vast inheritance ' of the Habs-
burgs.
1. 1665. Sdnbergicr, greed for land.
1. 1667, &c. Cp. 11. 940-41.
1. 1671. Cp. for mcin 1. 1558, «.
1. 1675. 3n bag SSeitc, say, for the great world.
1. 1682. SSilbbeft)egt, lit. wildly moved ; say, tempestuous,
1. 1685. 3n beg, &c., into the vast regions of life.
1. 1688, &c. 5l(lein jum ^immel; &c., only open in brightness to-
wards the heavens. — ©elici&tet is the p. p. of listen, to brighten.
1. 1690. SOBic bid^, &c., as my prophetic heart has dreamt you to be.
1. 1692. gatjr' l^in, be gone. Cp. for bet()ort, 1. 378, n,
1. 1695. 9Bo taufenb, &c., i.e. where traces of a thousand past joys.
1. 1696. SKir . . . leben, present to me living recollections.
1. 1700. ©eC^C Sllfel is here metaphorically used for * earthly Paradise.*
1. 1702. ^eitttif^ tro^^nt, has her settlq^ home.
1. 1703. @id^ . . . no(^ ni(^t, &c., has not yet found its way.
1. 1704. 2)a ixv^i fein, &c. The present tense is here and in 11. 1706,
1 7 10, used for the future.
1. 1706. Render here SJJdnncrtwert^ by * manly worth.'
1. 1708. %\t\ is here used in the sense of freitDtUig.
1. 1 71 1. 3n tt)eibU(^, &c., in charming womanly activity.
2l8 WILHELM TELL. [U. 1733-1776.
JDvitte <Scene.
The Bannherg is a wooded mountain overhanging the east of Altorf.
The name is said to be derived from the prohibition — S3 aim — to cut
down the trees, which prevent the falling of stones, &c.
The names of the two guards seem to indicate their respective
characters. Frieszhardt suggests a ^«n/-hearted man, whilst Leuthold
characterizes a man who is kindly disposed (^)o(b) to \}i\!z people (Seutc).
1- 1733- ®ein(c) OJcwerenj ergeigen, to do obeisance.
1. 1734. SSic 3at)rmarft ^ier, i. e. as lively as at a fair.
1. 1736. ^o^atl J, scare-crow; bugbear.
Etym. — $o^aitj is said to be derived either from the Slavonic word
' bobak,' or * bubus,' denoting a * masked person ' ; or from the O. Fr.
bobance, signifying * pageantry.' Some consider ^o^attj as a corruption
of the popular term ^cpelfjatt^, i. e. a * muffled,' or * disguised person.'
1. 1738. Un^ gum SSerbrie^e (obs. for 93crbruf,)to give us annoyance.
1. 1739. See for tt>ag 1. 1481, n. Oic($te, here, respectable.
1. 1746. The word ^faff iox priest is now used in contempt only.
1. 1748. $Dag Jpo^itjurb'ge, the Host— grab = ^erabe.
1. 1 751. ^Woufttanj, monstrance, or pyXj i.e. the box, or closed cup,
in which the consecrated Host is kept and shown to the congregation.
Etym. — SP'Jonftranj is derived from the mediaeval Lat. * monstrantia,*
which again is derived from * monstrare,' to show.
In Roman Catholic countries the Host is carried by the priest through
the streets, when he has to administer the sacrament to a sick person.
The Sacristan announces its presence by a little bell, and the devout fall
on their knees.
1. 1752. (^0 fdngt, &c., it begins to seem to me ; I begin to think.
1. 1758. Xraun, in truth; indeed. 2)cd^ is here an emphatic ex-
pletive.
Etym. — The M. H. G. form was en {in) triuwen, i. e. in faith ;
hence the Mod. H. G. term !J^raun = Xreuc, {in) faith.
§ilbcgatb and SKed^t^ilb (3)kt^ilbe) are old German names of females,
(S(6Beti> is the popular abbrev. of ^ItfaBetl^.
1. 1767. @^ fcKte, &c., the country would not be worse off for that.
1. 1768. Cp. 1. 432, «. S5evtt)unfd)te0 SBol!, &c., accursed pack of
women.
1. 1769. SBcr— ©ud^, who wants you?
1. 1770. 2Benn fie, &c., if courage spurs them on.
1. 1772. It is an ancient legend, that 'enchanted' (Qe!6anttte) trees
begin to bleed when they are cut.
1. 1776. ^cm tvac^fe . . . ]f>erau0 jrnn ©raBe, grows out of his grave.
U. 1777-1869.] NOTES. ACT III, SC. ^. 219
1. 1777. (Bt^^nxii, say, protected. The play on the word QcBantlt,
which means both 'enchanted' or 'spell-bound/ and also 'prohibited/
cannot well be brought out in English.
1. 1778. The pointed peaks of mountains are, in Switzerland, popu-
larly called Corner, horns.
1. 1780. Cp. 1. 25, n.
1. 1781. (Sd)(agIaH)inen, mass-avalanches.
1. 1785. Sanb\t)el)r denotes here 'defence of the land'; say, ramparty
or barrier,
1. 1788. JDen ©tromen nad&, i. e. following the course of the rivers.
1. 1790, &c. 3Ba(t)ttjafTer, torrents. @cmdc^li(i&, here, slowly.
1, 1797. ^i^ii baf, &c., instead of leading here a life of anxiety and
labour ?
1. 1802. 3)em S3tfd^of, &c., i.e. either to clerical or secular lords.
1. 1804. Render 3Bilb unb ©efteber, reversing the terms, by 'bird and
beast.'
1. 1806. A salt-tax is sl^ill levied in several countries.
1. 1 81 1. @^ tl?irb, &c., I begin to feel oppressed in that large country.
1. 18 19. @in SJJanbat »crle^cn, to transgress an order.
1. 1825. 2Bag, &;c., cp. 1. 1144, «.
1. 1829. @eir>alt (^efd)ief)t, &c., they are using force to father.
1. 1832. Dber^errlid^, sovereign ; supreme.
1. 1834. ^^^ tu^ft i^W, in that you lie. fiugen is here used transitively,
i.e. * to misrepresent ' ; * to pervert.*
1. 1837. Sa§ il)n (ebig, let him (go) free.
1. 18.^9. Cp. 1. 378, n.
1. 1840. (S(ftrcienbc, crying; scandalous.
1. 1846. <S(^on need not be translated ; it strengthens felbjl.
1. 1852. The verb berjleu is used both weak and strong.
1. 1854. SSa^tvirb, &c., what will come of this ? Cp. the Fr. Qu'est-ce
que cela va devenir ?
Hermann Gessler von Bruneck was, according to the Swiss chron-
iclers, the descendant of a noble Swiss family.
The character of Rudolph der Harras is fictitious. The name occurs
in Swiss history. Harras is supposed to mean equerry.
1. 1 859. ©eftrcuger S^txx, dread lord. 3Baffcnfnc($t, trooper.
1. i860. 2BcI)(beftentec, duly appointed.
1. 1 861. Uebcr or auf frifc^er %\)^i, in the act.
1. 1862. (5't)rettgru§, lit. 'salute of honour' ; here, obeisance.
1. 1866. The third pers. sing, (gebietet) is here used, because the pron.
td^ is omitted after ber. Cp. 1. 58, n.
1. 1869. %x^^ii\\, here, sentiments ; disposition.
2,20 WILHELM TELL, [U. 1870-1977.
1. 1870. 5lu0 UnBebad^t, from inadvertence.
1. 1872. S3efcnnen, thoughtful. The word %i\{ is said to signify
* silly.' Some chroniclers make Tell reply : njdr' id& ftJl^tg, fc> I)ief ' il^
nit ber Xell, i. e. if I were sharp, I should not be called the Silly.
1. 1875. i)u nelim'l^ (conj.), &c., that you defy.
1. 1878. Sieber, here, and in 1. 1892, gracious.
1. 1887. 2)0(!^ tt)i[{, &c., but I do advise you. — The verb tt^oUeu
makes the assertion more emphatic in this phrase.
1. 1890. SSelc^eg— an, what monstrous thing do you ask of me?
1. 1892. S)ag fommt, &c., you do not mean that.
1. 1905. 2)i($ entfernft, you deviate. SSeifc, here, way.
1. 1908. SSo^I, here, probably. In prose it would follow fic^.
1. 1909. ©reifft e^, &c., go at it courageously.
1. 191 2. ^ur^ireilg Qettjcf)nt, used to jests. @ett)ol^nt is used in poetry
with the gen. case.
1. 191 7. Slnf t^rer l&nnbert, at a hundred. S^rer, referring to the
numeral :^unbert, is a partitive genitive.
1. 1920. (5^ gilt, &c., life is at stake, implore the Governor's mercy.
1. 1924. Seib nnb Seben, say, life and liinb.
1. 1928. The inf. lemen is, like the aux. verbs of mood, frequently
used instead of the p. p., when occurring after another infinitive.
1. 1930. ©affe, lit, street; here, passage. See 1. 1144, n.
1. 1934. 5)er is here, and in 1. 1940, a demonstr. pron. ©pcu^, here,
sentence.
1- 1937- §ict: gilt eg, &c., say, here you must.
1. 1939. ^ag @d^n)ar^e treffen, or fd)ie^en, to hit the bulVseye,
1. 1940. 5)er ift, &c., him I call a master.
1. 1942. S)em'g — Singe, whose heart does not interfere with his hand,
nor with his eye.
1. 1944. @nabe fixr S^ed^t erge^en laffen, lit. 'to practise mercy instead
of justice,' is an emphatic express, for to show mercy.
1. 1948. Jpinfte^en is here used for (ic& !f)injle((en, to place oneself.
1. 1949. See forja 1. 108, n.
1. 1950. 5e^len, here, to miscarry; i.e. Tell is sure not to miss
and hit the heart of the boy.
1. 1967. The speaker alludes to the oath taken on the ^vXXv Cp.
1. 1448, &c.
1. 1970. D, l^dtten tX)ir'g, &c., oh, would that we had accomplished
the deed (i.e. the liberation) at once ! Cp. 1. 1376, &c.
1. 1972. SSergebeng, here, with impunity.
1. 1976. 3)en ^ci^ften ^errn, i. e. the sovereign lord.
1. 1977. ©etcaffnet for bettjaffnet, is used in higher diction only.
11.1985-2077.] NOTES, ACT IV, SC, I. 221
1. 1985. See for Oteiftgett 1. 74, n.
1. 1989, &c. 5Benn e^, &c.,if rescue is required. — This taunt refers,
of course, to Tell's rescue of Baumgarten.
SJJit ben . . . ^UCfent), convulsively moving his.
A ©oKer (say, Jacket), is a kind of leather waistcoat without sleeves.
Etym.— ©oiler (n, and m.) is another form for Poller, which is traced
to the mediseval Lat. collariuni.
1. 1991. (50 tttU§, i. e. it must be. Cp. the Fr. il lefaut.
1. 2006. SWein uberfd^U)ellenb, &c., i.e. he had suppressed within his
heart the swellings of his revolted feelings.
I. 2015. 2)a ic^ . . . Bcfefiigtc, in strengthening.
II. 2014-20. Cp. 11. 886-92, 1629-31.
1. 2041. ©runb, here, base, and not 'ground.'
1. 2046. ^\^ ntdnnlic^ lofen, to quit (or 'acquit ') oneself manfully.
1. 2049. ^yx ftecfteji • . • ^u bir, you hid . . . about you.
1. 2053. Saf i(^, &c., I cannot let . . . suffice.
1. 2054. @0 tt)irb . . . Bebeutct !^abcn, it must have meant. The proba-
bility of an action is often expressed in German by the future, or future
perfect, in conjunction with the adverbs h)ol)l or bo(^. Cp. 1. 1908.
1- 2055. grifd^ imb fro{)li(^, say, frankly and courageously.
1. 2058, &c. ©idfeern has here the meaning of fti^cc ftcUcit, to
guarantee. ®riinbli(^, completely.
1. 2060. 2)urc5^f(^o§ id^— euc&, I would have shot — you.
1. 2071. (gi(j^ werfiiubigt, here, has manifested itself.
1. 2076. No native of the forest-cantons could — according to their
charter — be imprisoned outside the boundaries of his own canton.
1. 2077. Cp- ^- 1324-35. The above celebrated scene is entirely
based on the account of the Swiss chronicler Tschudi.
33ierter ^luf^ug.
@rflc <Scenc.
• The present scene is laid in that part of the eastern shore of the
Lake of Lucerne which is near the boundary of Uri and Schwyz^.
Kunz von Gersau is a fictitious character. Kunz is the familiar
abbrev. of Konrad. Gersau is situated on the above-mentioned shore
at the foot of the Rigi, to the west of the landing-place Brunnen.
The fisherman and his son Jenni, appearing in the present scene,
^ In order fully to understand the present scene, the reader should
carefully consult the map prefixed to this volume.
2^^ WILHELM TELL, [11. 2098-2174.
must not be confounded with the fisherman Rtwdi and the boy Jenjtiy
who appeared in the first scene and whose ferry-station was on the
opposite shore near Treib.
Oiaufc^cu Ullb Xofen, roaring and raging (of the waves).— ba3tuifd)en,
here, at intervals.
1. 2098. ^'\i 5lugen. The omission of the possess, pron. and the
attribute txa^iXi is, in instances like the present, permissible in German. .
1. 3102. ai'enn'^ — foKte, if a blow is to be struck.
1. 2110. Cp. 11. 2065-69.
1. 21 19. Uberl^anb nc()men, to increase.
1. 2120. ^crberg e) ne()men, to put up : to seek shelter. — The village
here alluded to is, in all probability, Sissikon
Etym. — §erbevgc is derived from the O. H. G. heriberga, i. e. §eer
Bergen, to shelter an army. The E. 'harbour' and the Fr. 'auberge*
are derived from the same root.
I. 2123. (i*r()eb' bie, say, lift high thy.
II. 2124-26. The three calamines here mentioned refer respectively
to Attinghausen, who was at the point of death, to the blinding of
Melchthal's father, and to the fate of Tell.
1. 2128. ^ommUd^, in popular Swiss language, //^^j^;^/ {comely).
1. 2129. Cp. with this passage King Lear's well-known invocation
(Act iii, Sc. 2), beginning, Blow, winds, &c.
1. 2132. 3m ^eittt, in their germ. @ef{^le(^ter, here, generations.
1. 2134, &c. These lines would run in prose: S^r S3dren, \^X alten
SBolfe ber gro^en SSiifle, fommt trieber. Cp. 1. 1261, &c.
1. 2 1 38. (So ^^i^'C^, &c., i. e. there has never been such fury in these depths.
1. 2144. Bcicfen, here, peaks.
1. 2146. Jlulm=^)6d^fte SKpenfpi^c, summit (of Alps).
Etym. — The word ^ulttt is traced to the Latin culmen (columen).
1. 2147. The pi. of »^luft, cleft^ is used poetically for rocks,
\. 2152. This was formerly an alm.ost general custom.
L 2158. ^ufen, here, bay. Cp. the similar use of the Lat. * sinus.'
L 2159. ^anblo^ unb f^roff, &c., i.e. smoothly and steeply ascend-
ing the . . . frown at him. — ^ailblcg, lit. handless, i. e. affording no hold,
(Sc^rojfe, in 1. 2 1 61, is to be rendered by rugged,
1. 2162. aSon . . . f)er. Cp. 1. 1163, n.
\. 2164. SBajfcrffuft, lit. 2, gorge filled with water.
1. 2165. Um fic^ rafen is a more emphatic expression for *to rage,*
than the simple verb rafen.
1. 2170, &c., 2)a^— Uri, the Governor's ship of Uri. — 2)a^, here,
awning. — Red was the colour of the Archdukes of Austria.
1. 2174. ©cin aScrbred^en, i. e. the object of his crime \ that is, TelL
11.2177-2257.] NOTES, ACT IV, SC. 1. a'Z^
1. 2177. 5luf Sctnanbe^ ©timme gcBen, to obey anyone's voice.
1. 2180. ©reif nicfet, &c., do not arrest the judge's arm.
1. 2183. Untternunft, unreasonableness.
1. 2184. The fisherman alludes to Tell, as will be seen from 1. 2195, &c.
1. 2187. The Buggisgrat and the Hackmesser (1. 2190) are steep
rocky walls of the Axen, also called Axenfluk, or Axenberg (1. 2189),
which rises between Fluelen and Sissikon, on the eastern shore of the
Vierwaldstdttersee, to a height of 3353 ft.
1. 2188. The Teufelsmunster is a precipitous wall of rock on the
western shore of the Vierwaldstdttersee. The hurricane rebounding from
this rock must necessarily dash back the ship towards the Axenberg,
1. 2191. S3rc^en, for ' to wreck/ is used in poetry only.
1. 2192, &c. 2Cei^(i$, here, skilfully, g(uf), rock.
1. 2194. ^ie fici^, &c., which extends precipitously into the lake.
Etym. — The word (^d^ftc^tg (0d^| = idl), steep, and j^ofeig, declivitous)^
is used in Switzerland for abfc^uffig.
Tell first extends his hands towards the ground, as if to feel that
he was on terra Jirma, and then he extends them gratefully to Heaven,
1. 2208. 5l!reiben denotes here to drift.
1. 2209. 9Bie feib, &c., i.e. how did you manage to be here? — The
adv. XOM refers also to the next line.
1. 2214. galf)en for fangcn, * to seize,* is now used in poetry only.
1. 2219. Slufgegeben here, abandoned, or doomed.
1. 2222. SBaffewiijic, waste of water (properly of the ocean only).
1. 2226. §lnt T)intevn ©ranfen, astern.
1. 2228. A smaller peak of the Axenberg is called bcr ftetne 5lxen.
1. 2230. The popular form gdl)lingg ^erfurbrad^ for idf)(ingg l^er^or^
Brad^ is appropriate in the mouth of the speaker. Cp. on the moun-
tain-group known as the St. Gotthard, 11. 874-76, n.
1. 2238, &c. ©inb — beric^tet, say, do not know how to steer a boat
The adv. nun is here a mere expletive.
1. 2241. The verb braudjen is used with the genitive in poetry only.
1. 2244. 3[)J6d)t' i^ . . . iDol)!, * I might consent to,' or ' I would.'
1. 2246. Unb l^elf ung, &c., and shall help us safely thence. §ic^
bannen is the obs. form for »on i)ier ttjeg.
1. 2248. The adv. tcbli^ is here used in the sense of 'vigorously' and
not in that of * honest.'
1. 2249. (Sd)ie^jeug, shooting gear, i.e. his bow and quiver.
1. 2255. (Steil anget)eu, to ascend steeply.
1. 2257. The simple verb frf)reien, instead of juf^reien, *to shout
to,' is used in poetry only. ^aubUc^ ju^ngel)eu, say, to pull with all
their might. ^anbUc^ denotes here * vigorously.'
224 WILHELM TELL, [11. 2258-2354.
1. 2258. ffetfen^latte, say, rocky flat,
1. 2262. '^\i alien, &c., in leaning with all my might.
1. 2264. In prose the pron. ttti(^ (1. 2265) would be placed after i^.
1. 2266. SKit— S^U^jio^, powerfully thrusting with my foot.
1. 2268. Sluf— treiben, drift about (or * be tossed') on the waves.
1. 2270. Cp. 11. 155-58.
1. 2278. S'lad^ feiner S3urg, i.e. Kusznacht. Cp. 1. 2074.
1. 2282, &c. The old road from the canton Schwyz to Kiisznacht led
across the village of Arth^ which is situated on the southern shore of
the Zugersee. See on Steinen the Introd. Note to Sc. 2, Act i.
1. 2284, &c. .§eimlic^ern, here, more retired. The village oi Lowerz
is situated on the north-western shore of the Lowerz See.
1. 2286. ©utt^at, i.e. gute Xl^at, kind action.
1. 2294. (Sd^twdlfier has here its primary meaning of * father-in-law.'
In describing Tell's escape from the ship and his journey on by-ways
to Kusznacht, Schiller has closely followed the account of Tschudi.
The ledge of rock on which Tell is said to have escaped is on the
slope of the Axenberg or Axenfluh, and is known by the name of Tells-
platte, or Tellenplatte. Near the lake stands a chapel, which was
restored in June, 1883. It contains pictorial representations of the
Riitli scene, the Apfelschusz^ Tell's leap from the ship, &c.
3it)cite (Scene.
1. 2303. ^r ijl tjinuber, is an euphemistic express, for * he has departed
into another world ' ; * he is gone.'
1. 2304. A feather is sometimes placed on the lips of dying or
apparently dead persons, to see whether life is quite extinct.
1. 2313. @r lebt ntir, he lives. — The dative of the personal pronouns
is often used in German, more especially in familiar language, in order
to express, somewhat emphatically and feelingly, the interest a person
takes in some fact or occurrence, or the interest the speaker intends to
arouse in the person spoken to ; as here, (§c lebt tttir, he lives (for my
happiness) ; and in the next line : S3ift bu ttttr unverle^t ? art thou
really unhurt ? This kind of dative (which is used in Greek and Latin,
and also in Elizabethan English), is called in Grammar ' dativus ethicus,'
ethical dative, and is, as a rule, now omitted in English.
1. 2331. (Se^en, to stake.
L 2334. JDaf i^r, &c., that you cast upon him severe censure.
1. 2341, &c. Cp. pp. 9-15.
L 2349. Cp. 1. 1968.
L 2354. S3ur0^ei*lief , castle-vault (used as a prison).
11.2357-2446] NOTES, ACT IV, SC. 1. 225
!• 2357. The Alpine rose flourishes only on the Alps, at a height of
from four to six thousand feet above the sea-level.
1. 2360. 3n bem, &c., in the balmy breeze of the air.
1. 2371. (it fel^lt mir, he is absent ; I miss him.
1. 2374. Understand itJorbCH after gcfcnbet.
1- 2375. (Setn «&eq finbcn, ' to find one's heart/ is a Biblical expres-
sion. Cp. 2 Sam. vii. 27.
1. 2382. The entire cessation of pain is sometimes taken as a sure
sign of approaching death.
1. 2397. (5«? ■^aBen, &c., have pledged themselves.
1. 2409. @e;^d^lt, here, numbered. Cp. Dan. v. 26.
1. 2413. XfjeiHiafttg fein, to participate (in) ; to take part (in).
1. 2414. 2Cenn C^ O^xii, when the hour of action strikes.
1. 2416. <B\6) t>crtt)cgen, the p. p. of fid^ ijcrwdgcn (»eriregen), to dare ;
to hazard, is now not frequently used.
1. 2419. The use of the enlarged form uttferer instead of iittfer, the
gen. of h?ir, is rather of modem date.
1. 2421. (5*^ lebt, &c., i. e. the glory of mankind (viz. freedom) will
live after the nobles have ceased to live, for it will maintain itself by
other forces.
I. 2423, &c. This passage contains a prophetic vision, that the inci-
dent of the Apfelschusz will give rise to the liberation of Switzerland.
II. 2430-37. These lines describe the state of political freedom, as it
existed already in those days in Switzerland. Many nobles joined the
citizens after having taken the civic oath (11. 2430-32). The district
extending from the river Aar to the Jura mountains and formerly
called Uechiland, and the canton Thurgau, in north-eastern Switzer-
land, were the first to gain civic liberties and privileges (1. 2432).
Bem, the present capital of Switzerland, became at an early date a
place of great political importance (1. 2433). Freiburg was founded
to be a firm stronghold for the minor nobles (1. 2434). In the busy
(rcge) town of Ziirich flourished the guilds which successfully resisted
the attacks of the Dukes of Austria and other princes (11. 2435-37).
11. 2438-46. This passage contains a prophetic vision of the victories
by which the Swiss strengthened their Confederation. In 131 5 they
defeated at a mountain-pass near Morgarten the numerous host of
Leopold I, Duke of Austria, which consisted chiefly of nobles, protected
by heavy armour (11. 2438-42). In 1386 Duke Leopold III of Austria
made an attempt with a powerful army of nobles to revenge the day of
Morgarten. A battle was fought at Sempach in Lucerne, and tradition
relates that, seeing the strong phalanx of the Duke's army, a patriot
of Unterwalden, named Arnold Struthan von Winkelried, seized as naany
Q
226 WILHELM TELL. [11. 2448-2558.
of the enemy's spears as he could grasp in his arms, and forced them into
his breast, thus making a gap in the army of the nobles (11. 2443-44).
The victory at Sempach is an authentic historical fact, but the feat of
Winkelried is simply a poetical exaggeration of some heroic action,
1. 2448. The term Drt, lit. 'place,' stands here for canton,
1. 2449. See for §o^h)ad^ten, 1. 747, n.
1. 2450. (Si(^ . . . »erfamm(c, may . . . unite itself.
1. 2459. Sm Sic^tc ttjanbetn, poet, for to live ; to. walk on earth,
1. 2461. 2)ie fc^UJere, &c., i.e. the * heavy, uncancelled obligation' of
freeing the country.
1. 2475, &c. %x\\^i 3ugenb, buoyant youth ; greifc^ Sitter, hoary old age,
1. -2477. This line is addressed to Walther Fiirst, and the words
®ebt mir bie curige (in the next line) to Stauffacher.
1. 2482. Cp. 1. 782, &c.
1. 2483. <B\^ eincr ®a$e ju Smb. »erfe^en, to expect something from
any one.
1. 2487. 2)e^ S3auern, &c., i.e. when the peasant gives his hand as a
pledge, it is as good as the word of any man. §anbfc^(ag denotes the
act of giving one's hand to another person by way of a pledge. Cp. the
Fr. poignee de main,
1. 2499. ^ann iwoKett, &c., then we will peacefully reconcile our
differences.
1. 2502, &c. ^\^ bvdngen (in), to thrust oneself (into).
1. 2504. (^ii^(^i, 1. 1 1 1 1 , ». ; gefd^tDoren, pledged yourselves by an oath.
1. 2505. St)t bort tterl^anbelt, you have transacted (done) there.
1. 2507. $fanb, here, trust.
1. 2513. Cp. 1. 1400, n.y and 1. 1418.
1. 2516. 3)e^ Saube0, &c., i. e. he now reckons himself among the
authorities of the country.
1. 2528. See 1. 2416, n,
1. 2532. The * enraged tyrant ' here alluded to is, of course, Gessler.
1- 2533. SBelc^er ©ehjalt, to what criminal violence they (i.e. the
partisans of the Habsburgs) may boldly resort.
1. 2536, &c. Cp. 11. 1618-22, and render, al(c 3lrme, lit. 'all arms/
simply by all,
1. 2540. 3n . . . unge^eurcr 5lngji, in the terrible anxiety (agony).
1. 2546. Db is here used elliptically, i.e. *to see whether.'
1. 2548. The verb f^arcn is here used in the sense of auff^teBett.
1- 2555. JDenn fd^neKcr, &c., i. e. the fiery signals on the mountains
will announce to them the tidings of their victories quicker than a
* messenger's sail * flies.
1. 3558. S©etter0 ©tra^t, flash of lightning.
U. 3563-2640.] NOTES, ACT IV, SC. Z. 22T
JDntte (^cene.
The so-called ^o^Ic ©affe, * hollow lane' (Fr. chemin creux), lay
between Arth and Kiisznacht, and some distance beyond this place. It
derived its name from the overhanging trees, which formed a kind of
bower or leafy roof; it is now replaced by a well-made road.
The chroniclers relate that having arrived in advance of Gessler,
Wilhelm Tell had hidden himself behind a dusk (©ejtrduc^).
1. 2563. §c(Iunbcrj!raud^ (more usual §o(unber(lrauc^), elder bush.
1. 2565. 2BeI)ren has here the meaning of ' to check ' ; * to keep back.'
1. 2567. %cxt mug t, &c., you must go hence, your sand (hour-glass) is
run down. H^r is used fig. for * time,' as * hour-glass ' is in English.
1. 2568. ^ae ©cfd^og, say, my bow.
1. 2571. ^erau6f^rc(fen au^, to scare from.
1. 2572, &c. ©dt^rcnb S)ra^cn9ift, say, rankling venom. 5Die— JDenf;
art, i.e. the gentleness of his sentiments. Cp. the Shakesperian ex-
pression, *the milk of human kindness,' Macbeth^ Act i, Sc. 5, 1. 18.
1. 2574. Bum Ungeljeuren, &c., yon have made me familiar with
monstrous things.
1. 2579, &c. 5lt^— attgog, when I drew the string of my bow.
1. 2581. 2^cufelif(^cr Siij^, fiendish delight.
1. 2583. Transl. c^lUtttdc!^ tig by helplessly y and rang »or bit by was
writhing before you.
1. 2590. 93ogt may here be rendered by ' delegate.*
1. 2592. Understand i^^^i^ after irag bu.
1. 2593. Cp. 1. 786, &c.
1. 2595. (Strafio^ JU tt\Xtfy\\. perpetrate with impunity.
1. 2609. @id^ fe^cn is here used in the sense of ^\<\% ne^mctt, and it is
for this reason that the dat. (auf biefer) is used, and not the accusative.
1. 261 1, ^einc §eintatf|, i. e. no permanent abode. Scber treibt, &c.,
every one passes the other hurriedly and as a stranger, and cares not, &c.
1. 2614. £cic^tgef($itrgte, lightly girt.
1. 2616. (Spicltnann, obsol. for ' (wandering) musician ' ; 'minstrel.'
1. 2617. (gdutttcr, say, * carrier,' or ' driver.' Cp. 1. 875, n.
1. 2619. This line is added in explanation of the preceding one, viz.
* (the driver) . . . who comes to us from the distant haunts of men.'
1. 2624. dr Btad^t', &c., without bringing you something, either it
was an, &c.
1. 2626. The Slnttttcng^cvn, ammonite , is a fossil-shell.
1. 2628. SaibitJerf, here, game. Cp. 1. 153, n.
I. 2635. Sd§t fld^'^, &c., if the hunter does not weary.
II. 2638-40. It used to be believed that the Alpine hunters, when
Q 2
^'ZS WILHELM^TELL. [11. 2641-2683.
obliged to take among the rocks a bold leap (3Bagef^rung), cut open
their heels and glued themselves to the smooth rocks with the blood.
1. 2641. The Alpine hunters call the chamois, ©ratt^ter.
1. 2645. 2^id^ gcilBt, &c., trained myself by marksman's rule.
1. 2646. Cp. 1. 1939, n.
1. 2648. i^reubenfd^iefen, festive shooting-match.
1. 2649. ^a^ 23efte, say, the highest prize.
The above soliloquy, which is one of the finest passages Schiller
ever wrote, reveals Tell's motives for committing his momentous deed
and excuses him beforehand.
§od)geit, here, * marriage train,* or ' procession.' — The family name of
Stiissi is Swiss. — Slurfd^ii^, field guard.
1. 2651. t^Iofiermeier, farmer of the convent-land; convent-farmer.
Morlischachen is a small village near Klisznacht.
Etym. — The word 2^eter is derived from the Lat. major (domus) and
denotes both * farmer ' and * administrator.'
1. 2652. 2)er ^ier, &c., say, who passes with his wedding train. —
SSrautlauf denotes lit. * bridal race,' because a formal race used to be
held for the bride on the wedding-day.
1. 2653. (Beitte is a herd numbering not less than twenty.
1. 2654. Imiseey or rather Immensee^ is a pleasantly situated village
on the Zugersee, near Klisznacht.
1. 2655. SEirb ^0^ gefi^n^elgt, there will be great revelry.
1. 2657. <Stitnmen is here used in the sense of ipaffeit, to suit.
1. 3659. 9lef)mt tnit, &c., take what comes, i. e. what is offered.
1. 2660. Select is here used in the sense of * readily.'
1. 2661. Transl. this line in the active voice.
1. 2664. (Sin Oiuffi, &c., a Ruffi has broken loose.
Etym. — A peculiar kind of dangerous landslip is called by the Swiss
Ruffi or RUfe ; probably from the root which produced the It. ruffa^
' a scramble ' ; the Proven9al ruf, * rough.'
1. 2666. The ®ldrnif(^ is a rocky mountain in the canton Glarus,
1. 2669. The Baden here mentioned, formerly called ber ©teitt gU
S3ciben, is a small town in the canton Aargau, on the Limmat.
1. 2670. 3u bent ^onig, i. e. King Albrecht.
1. 2673. S3or 3^2arter, from pain. — Schiller has taken the incident re-
lated by the Flurschiitz from an account in Tschudi's Chronicle.
1. 2676, &c. 9)ian beutet'^ anf, they say it forebodes. @c^n>ere in the
next line denotes ' grave.' When King Albrecht heard the news, he
exclaimed, ' This is an unheard-of thing and forebodes nothing good.'
1. 2680. 3a, tDcl)l bem, ay, blessed is he.
; 1. 2683. Tell now speaks in a different strain. Cp. 1. 428.
11.2686-2833.] NOTES,, ACT IV, SC. 3. 1%^
1. 2686. It must be assumed that Stiissi judged from Tell's dialect.
1. 2689. Slugtrcten (of water), to overflow ; here, ' are out.'
1. 2690. (Strom, here, torrent, and ^errijfett, broken down.
1. 2691. (Sudjt 5^r, &c., do you require aught of him?
1. 2695. ^<xxi fa^re, &c., let all clear the way.
1. 2696. Cp. 1. d^, n.
1. 2706. The popular nautical phrase Vdii 2)^ann unb Wl^\\$ in ten
©runb fin!en, lit. ' to go down with man and mouse ' is also used by
English sailors for to go down with all hands.
1. 2707. $r)em SSoIf, &c., neither fire nor water can hurt this kind of
people. S3ei is here used elliptically for Beifommen, to overcome.
1. 2708. 2Bo — %\Xi, where has the hunter gone?
1. 2712, dincm fanft tf)Un, to treat any one with gentleness.
1. 2715. Slnbringen is here used in the sense of* to bring forward.'
1. 2721. ^a^ Unbec|ueme, the inconvenient object.
1. 2723. ^a^ fie, &c., that they must fix their eye upon it. Gessler
here contradicts his former statement. Cp. 11. 1865-68.
1. 2726. ^te is here a demonstrative pronoun.
1. 2727. '^m SSerf unb SKerbcn, say, are being done and planned.
1. 2728. 9Sa^ ber SSater, &c., Rudolph von Habsburg laid the first
foundation of the power of his family, and Albrecht was his son.
1. 2730. (Jin (Stein, i. e. a stumbling-block.
1. 2731. The expression fo ober fo denotes ' one way or the other.'
1. 2734. 2)2ann is elliptically used in German for (|f)emann.
1. 2735. The word 2Baifen, lit. 'orphans/ was formerly also used for
•forsaken' or * fatherless children.' See for ©ejirengec 1. 1859, ^•
1. 2738. A 3Si(bt)euer, lit. * cutter of wild (i. e. ownerless) hay/ say,
Alpine haymaker. The position of the Rigiberg (regina montium), in
the canton Schwyz, is well known.
1. 2744. SBa^ ev, &c., whatever great offence he may be guilty of.
1. 2746. (Sud^— n?evben, you shall have justice.
1. 2750. @($on \\\, &c., it is now six months. 2)'?onb poet, for SP'Jonat.
1. 2752. W\X @elt?alt antljun, use force against me.
1. 2755. @o has in this phrase the signification of ' as.'
1. 2760. Transl. here gefprc(^en by * done.'
1. 2771, &c. These words are put into the mouth of Armgard in ex-
culpation of Tell's deed.
1. 2807. Sagt ba^ Srbifc^e, lay aside all earthly things.
1. 2809, <^c. 3e^t tritt, &c., now death approaches him. Cp. 1. 865, n.
1. 2813. $Den S3Uc! (an ettwag) iweiben, to feast one's eyes with, &c.
1. 2815. $5)cn Sd^mergeng^feil, say, the fatal arrow.
1. 2833. Xritt ... an may here be transl. by attacks,
Q 3
2^0 WILHELM TELL, [11. 2835-2910.
1. 2835, &c. (Sg is here and in the next line used in general for * fate.'
Transl. jliiqt \\)\\, by he is cut off, and e^ tei^t, &c. by he is torn off.
1. 2838. @tel)cn, is here used in the sense of tretett.
The order of the Monks (or * Brothers ') of Mercy was constituted
by John Ciudad, surnamed 'John of God,' in 1540. The principal
function of the members was to attend on the sick and dying.
A chapel commemorating the * deed of Tell ' stands towards the end
of the Hohk Gasse. It is ornamented with rude fresco paintings.
gunfter ^lufjug*
(irjie (Scene.
1. 2840. $r)riiBen, &c., over there beyond the forest, 1. e. in Unterwalden.
1. 2845. 3cc^, lit. yoke; here fig. for keep ; prison. Cp. 1. 370, &c.
1. 2847. The people of Uri, who have a bull's head in the arms of the
canton, carried in their wars a large bull's horn, and the person who
sounded it was called ber ©tier »on Uri (lit. the Bull of Uri), i. e. the
horn -blower of Uri.
1. 2848. §od&tt>a^t, here, tower, or watchtower.
1. 2849. 2)a^ e^, &c., that resounding afar it may ring, &c.
1. 2862. @efe((en, here, Journeymen; workmen. Cp. Act i, So. 3.
1. 2864. @^ tjl tm Sauf, it has begun.
1. 2865. See for Roszherg 2C[iA Sarnen 11. 77, 1056, 1385, and notes.
1. 2874. ^\i ntamtlid^, &c., with a brave and bold (hazardous) stroke.
1. 2877. Sreubig, lit. * joyfully,' denotes here '■ with alacrity.'
1. 2879. L)iethelm is an old German name. The word diet denotes
in Middle H. G. SBolL— See for ^uk 1. 466, n.
1. 2880. 2)ie ^runecferin, rather familiar for 'the Lady oi Bruneck.^
1. 2886. 2)er Ultgtiiclfeltgen, of the hapless lady.
1. 2887. 2)agalt ©efc^lrinbfetn, here promptness, &c were required.
1. 2888. (^belmatin, is here used in the sense of liege lord.
1. 2889. SSir fatten, &c., we should have been careful of our lives.
1. 2894. ©elBanber, lit. oneself and another, i. e. together.
1. 2895. ©ebdlf, wood-work, is the collective form of SSalfett.
1. 2901. (Sc^icffal^siprobe, trial of fate.
1. 2902. See for the j^rzi;;^^ mountain 1. 1193, 7t.
1. 2903. It will be remembered, that Melchthal had vowed vengeance
on Landenberg. Cp. 1. 621, &c.
1. 2910. Ur^fjebe fcf)iDUr cr, he took a solemn oath. — The oath by
11.2912-2997.] NOTES. ACT F, 5C. I. 231
which a knight pledged himself to permanently keep the peace was
called in German Urphede.
Etym. — Uv^^cbe is said to be derived from the prefix ui* meaning
out, 2,x\^'^^\it, feud y i.e. the feud is over.
1. 2912. The fact that Landenberg was allowed to leave the country
unhurt, is mentioned by the Swiss Chroniclers, and Schiller introduces
it in such a manner as to show Melchthal's magnanimity.
1. 2922. The hat or cap was at all times regarded as the symbol of
freedom.
1. 2925. Cp. 1. 1450, &c.
1. 2930. 2)eu 2^ettrtcbenen, i. e. Landenberg.
■ 1. 2932. See for bo(^ 1. 359, n.
I. 2946. The small town of Bruck or Brugg is situated on the Aar,
in the canton Aargau.
II. 2947-48. These lines have been inserted by Schiller as a compli-
ment to the Swiss \i\%\.ox\2.ii Johamtes von Muller,
1. 2950, &c. Cp. for the following incident the speech of Konrad
Hunn, 11. 1336-48 and notes.
1. 2955. 2)em ungebulbig, &c., i. e. from his nephew who impatiently
claimed it.
1. 2956. @g !^ie^, it was said. That king Albrecht ' intended to de-
prive him of his patrimony and to compensate him with a bishopric'
is stated by the Chronicler Tschudi.
1. 2963. @ic^ Ola^' juftolen, &c., to avenge himself.
1. 2965, &c. See 11. 409, 1324 and notes. — ^of ftatt is the obsol. term
for court, or royal residence.
1. 2967. Leopold, King of Bohemia, was Albrecht 's second son.
1. 2969, &c. The river Reusz flows not far from Rheinfelden, and the
ferry here mentioned was near the village of Windisch.
1. 2973. ©eacfcrt, say, ploughed. The king is described as having
ridden through the young com.
1. 2974. (S'ine attc, &c. The Helvetian town alluded to was the
Roman fortress Vindonissa (hence the name of Witidisch) which was
destroyed by Childebert II in 594.
1. 2976. 3m ©efi^tc, in sight.
L 2977. SGBo is here used in the sense of »on two.
L 2982. SSon ben, &c., by his own, on his own soil.
1. 2990. 3fl . . . umfjer, say, is abroad.
L 2992. (Stanb is here used in the sense oi district or canton.
1. 2996. W\i be^ ^aune^ 5lu^, i. e. with the curse contained in the
Imperial ban.
1. 2997, &c. Albrecht's daughter Agnes was the widow of Andreas III
232 WILHELM TELL. [11. 301 2-31 1 6.
of Hungary. It is a historical fact that she had vowed * to immolate
whole generations at the tomb of her father.' When she waded through
the blood of the slain garrison of a castle belonging to Palm, she
is said to have exclaimed * that she was bathing in the dew of May ^
I. 3012. (Si(J^ felbft, &c., i. e. revenge finds its terrible nourishment in
itself; its delight is murder and it is satiated by horror.
II. 3020-23. The German Prince-Electors, dreading the encroaching
influence of the Habsburgs, elected as Emperor after the assassination
of Albrecht, Henry, Count of Liitzelburg, or Luxemburg, known in
German history as Henry VII.
1. 3026. Count Henry had proved himself so just a ruler of his small
territory, that men placed the highest confidence in him.
1. 3031. ^ef^eiben, lit. * modest,' here, * good,' or * honest.'
!• 3033- Elsbeth, i. e. Elizabeth, the widowed Queen of Albrecht, was
the daughter of Meinhard, Duke of Carinthia.
1. 3038- ^er @(^H)l),5er(anbe, i. e. of the ihree forest cantons.
1. 3041. See for ft(^ t>ev[e(}en gu, 1. 2483, n.
1. 3045. The aux. V. Iwevbeu in 1. 3046, also refers to SSorfd^uB i\)Vi\\.
1. 3051. Rudolph of Habsburg was a popular and gracious sovereign.
I. 3052. SBeffen, &c., what have we to boast of as regards the son.
II. 3053-60. Cp. the speech of Konrad Hunn, 1. 1324, &c.
©evid^tet, &c., judged according to justice.
^^i er ^u6) tiur . . . tDoUen, did he so much as consent (to).
• 1. 3067. The verb mef^ren is here used in the sense of to aggrandize.
1- 3073' In the clause xmii — gebli()ren the verb tuoKeit is used to make
the assertion more emphatic, viz. * is by no means our duty.'
1. 3074. In this line the verb U)o[(en is used in the sense of 77tust.
!• 3075- The duties towards the king were cancelled by death, and
they owed him no debt oi gratitude.
1. 3077. Cp. 1. 1387, 7t.
1. 3080. ^anfeub fl[e()eit, send up its prayers of gratitude.
1. 3081. %\)x!xmx\,, i. e. tears of sympathy and compassion.
The description of Albrecht's murder, of the message of his queen
to the Forest Cantons, and the answer put into the mouth of Walther
Fiirst, Stauffacher, and Melchthal are based on Tschudi's account.
3ttJeite @ceue.
1. 3092. 5lm . . . l^art vorbei, close by my.
1. 3098. S3ruber denotes/W^r when used of a cleric.
1. 31 12. Transl. here lei^jeub hy pining.
1. 31 16. The hearth was the ancient symbol of hospitality, and the
invocation by the head of the children is also of classic origin.
U. 3124-3355.] NOTES. ACT V, SC. 2. 233
1. 3124. ©d^nurt mix, &c., compresses my inmost soul.
1. 3164. D^m, contracted from D^eittt, is used in higher diction only*
Duke John of Suabia, or, as he is also called, of Austria, is known ia
German history under the name oi Johatmes Farricida,
1. 3169. There is no equivalent, I believe, in any language, for the
word ^aifermorb, which may be rendered by regicide (^ouig^Ulcrb).
1. 3182. 3)ie I)eiltge S^latur, i. e. the sacred laws of nature.
1. 3193. 5ln — SWanne^, at the threshold of a poor man like me.
1- 3195- D, hjenti iftc ttjeinen fcnnt, i.e. if Tell could be moved to
tears by the misfortune of others.
I. 3198. 2)cr SKunfd^e Un(;ebulb = bic imgebulbigcn SSunfci&e.
II. 3199-3203. This assertion is in accordance with history.
1. 3207. (Sc^lug stands here for @ntfc^(ug.
1. 3209. SBo^in, transl. there, where.
1. 3211, &c. In the Imperial ban of Henry VII occur the words,
* The perpetrators are forbidden to tlieir friends, and given over (crlaubt)
to their enemies.*
1. 3216. SWein etgneg (S($redfni§, a terror to myself.
1- 3235. Sofet, redeem. *Cp. Mark viii. 37.
1- 3237. SSon ^^ii, i. e. as if from God.
1. 3240. ^ie ©(^ritte ju gefeKen, to join the . . . on their way.
1. 3244. Cp. 1. 2969, &c.
I. 3245, &c. Tell describes to Parricida the way across the St. Gott-
hard Pass. The Gotthard ascent begins at Amstag, and the Reusz
rushes by the road side. Most of the crosses on the road are memorials
to persons who have been killed by avalanches.
II. 3252-54. Schiller gives fhe name of the road of terror to that
desolate district which begins beyond Geschenen, or Goschenen, and is
called Schollenen. Here the drift-avala7iches frequently come down
from the ice-covered peak,
!• 3255. SBelc^C fidubet, which hangs in drizzling spray . The bridge
alluded to is the so-called 2^cufe(^briicf e, deviPs bridge, spanning a gorge
into which the Reusz dashes impetuously. The water is broken into
spray, which bedews the rocks and the bridge above. The name 2)ie
S^eufel^briicfe is based on a legendary occurrence ^.
^ The old Teufelshriicke ceased to be used when the new bridge
was erected in 1830. Since the railway- tunnel has been bored through
the mountain, even the new bridge is very rarely used. The vicinities
of the Teufelshriicke and the Urner Loch are memorable from the
battles fought there in 1799, between the Austrians and the French,
and between the latter and the Russians.
234 WILHELM TELL, [H. 3258-3270.
1. 3258, &c. ©0 tcift, &c., a gloomy, rocky gateway will abruptly
open. This is the famous Urner Loch, which was widened in 1707
from a narrow pass into a spacious tunnel.
1. 3260. On emerging from the Hole of Uri the traveller sees the
peaceful Ursernthal, a striking contrast to the * road of terror.'
1. 3263, &c. Beyond the Gotthard* lies the canton Ticino, which had
belonged to Rudolph von Habsburg as Emperor of Germany.
1. 3266. SSo bic etv'gcn <Secn, &c. This alludes to some lakes on the
Gotthard, which retain the same depth throughout the year.
1. 3269. @in anbrcr ^trotn, i. e. the Ticino.
1. 3270. 2)a0 getcBte (Sanb), the land of promise.
The description of the road over the St. Gotthard pass is based on
the account of the ascent of the Col from Altorf, in Meiners' Briefe aus
der SchweiZf and on the works of Scheuchzer and Joh. v. Mliller.
^"-^^.'G^^k^^j-cS^
Clannhn |nss Btxits
BY THE SAME EDITOR.
SCHILLEB'S WiLHELM TELL. Large Edition,
Seventh Edition, Extra fcap. 8vo. cloth^ 3J. dd,
CONTENTS.
1. Life of Schiller xiii
2. Critical Analysis xxix
3. The Legend of Tell xxxviii
4. Text and Argument • . . . , i
5. Notes 187
6. Quotations from Wilhelm Tell • . , 276
7. Bibliographical Appendices —
(i) Schiller's Schriften . . . • 278
(2) English Translations of Schiller's "Works 280
OPINIONS OF THE PRESS.
' There is no work more suitable for Students of German, and no
edition of it so well adapted for English readers as this, which is
as complete and satisfactoi-y in every respect as could he desired.
Dr. Buchheim has spent much time in laborious research, and
brought to bear upon the work all the resources of scholarship,
skill in teaching, and experience in editing. He has also made the
edition more useful to classical students by references to the ancient
Classics, and occasional philological observations.' — Athenceum.
* Two years ago Dr. Buchheim produced an edition of GoeMs
Egmont, in which he exhibited some of the highest qualifications
demanded from the editor of a great classical poem. The volume
before us has been edited with equal ability and care. It is no
small boon to possess an edition which will not only prove useful
to the student, but interesting to the scholar.' — Pall Mall Gazelle,
* The second volume of German Classics is devoted to an edition
of Schiller's Wilhelm Tell, on which the editor has evidently be-
stowed much painstaking labour. The legend on which the poet
proceeded is made the subject of a separate treatise, in which, alas,
like so many other stories that have charmed the world, it melts
away under the searching fire of historical criticism.' — Scolsman.
* The Tell of Schiller has been edited in the same intelligent and
scholarly manner as the Egmont. Professor Buchheim has antici-
236 OPINIONS OF THE PRESS.
pated the latest utilitarianism in its proposed substitution of German
for Greek as the intellectual whetstone of the rising generation.
His, at all events, is a first, or the first, considerable endeavour to
edit German Classics in the fashion in which only classical Greek
and Latin authors have been edited.' — Morning Post.
* In Dr. Buchheim, Schiller's Tell has certainly found an inter-
preter who has spared neither time nor labour in making clear every
difficulty which the text offers, whether ia revealing the deeper
meaning of some obscure or unnoticed passage, giving philologicg.1
definitions of curious words, or explaining the numerous popular
Swiss expressions occurring in the drama. . , . In addition to
the Notes, there is an Introduction, containing a condensed Life of
Schiller; a Critical Analysis, which not only illustrates the drama
as a work of art, but also gives the curious history of its composi-
tion ; and, finally, an elaborate Essay on the " Legend of Tell " and
the " Liberation of the Forest Cantons." We recommend this Essay
to the special attention of the reader.' — Educational Times.
*In the admirable Series of German Classics which Professor
Buchheim has been preparing for the youth of England, we find a
careful, comprehensive, and conclusive Hsumi of all the Tell stories.'
— Daily News.
'The books and documents referring to the Tell legend are in
themselves a library; but Dr. Buchheim, in an exhaustive essay
prefixed to the tragedy, has condensed the contents of that library
into two dozen most interesting pages. He gives a history of the
Forest Cantons, traces the origin and growth and spreading of
the legend of Tell with a zeal and consequent completeness with
which it has never yet been treated.' — Notes and Queries.
„2)icfe 5lu^gaben cnf^atten ben beutfd&cn %txi in ntoglid^fl correctcr
©efialt, fcegleitet »on cnglifd^en Slnmerfungen, bic foivo^l bag fprac^^
lid^e tt)ic bag fa^lid^c a)Zcmcnt Beriicffid^ticjen. 3)iefelben finb du^erjl
gtrecfmd^ig angelegt, in ber red^ten 2)?ittc gtt»tfrf)en ju »icl unb ju
n)eni0. . . . $rcfeffov ^v. ©uc^t^eim'g 3)tct()obc bitrftie unbc?
benflid^ aud^ Bci ung copirt iverben. Slugfu()rli(^e ©inleitungcn
Bringcn Bci .Sil^clm %t\X ' cine griinb(id& aufgefa^te nnb i>on ben
\t?eitejlen ©efic^tgpunften genontmene ©iograpMe (Sd)if(er'g ; bei ,^o^i.
mcnt' eine fold^e ©ceffie'g— aUeg natiirlic& fiir bag enc^lifd^e ^ub(t^
fum Bered)net, aber gleiifaftg ntufter^iiltig fur dl)nli(i&e Sluggaben."—
S3ldtter fur literarif^e Unter^altung.
* Vous avez sauvegarde les droits de la veriti, sans miconnaitre ceux
de T imagination, et vous avez interprets Vun des plus beaux chefs
d'oeuvre inspire par celle-ci avec une sincerite de sentiments qui moittre
que Von peut allier tout ensemble Vintelligence de la poesie et celle
de Vhistoire' — From a letter of M. Rilliet de CondoUe, author of
* Les Origin es de la Confederation Suisse,' &c.
r
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UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LIBRARY
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