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10
WILHELM TELL.
Baum. (to the fisherman).
Quick, quick, even now they're close upon my heels!
The viceroy's horsemen are in hot pursuit!
I'm a lost man should they lay hands upon me.
Quick, quick, even now they're close upon my heels!
The viceroy's horsemen are in hot pursuit!
I'm a lost man should they lay hands upon me.
Ruodi. Why are the troopers in pursuit of you?
Baum. First save my life and then I'll tell you all.
Werni. There's blood upon your garments—how is this?
Baum. The imperial seneschal, who dwelt at Rossberg.
Kuoni. How! What! The Wolfshot?[1] Is it he pursues you?
Baum. He'll ne'er hunt man again; I've settled him.
All. (starting back).
Now, God forgive you, what is this you've done!
Now, God forgive you, what is this you've done!
Baum. What every free man in my place had done.
I have but used mine own good household right
'Gainst him that would have wronged my wife—my honor.
I have but used mine own good household right
'Gainst him that would have wronged my wife—my honor.
Kuoni. And has he wronged you in your honor, then?
Baum. That he did not fulfil his foul desire
Is due to God and to my trusty axe.
Is due to God and to my trusty axe.
Werni. You've cleft his skull, then, have you, with your axe?
Kuoni. Oh, tell us all! You've time enough, before
The boat can be unfastened from its moorings.
The boat can be unfastened from its moorings.
Baum. When I was in the forest, felling timber
My wife came running out in mortal fear
"The seneschal," she said, "was in my house,
Had ordered her to get a bath prepared,
And thereupon had taken unseemly freedoms,
From which she rid herself and flew to me."
Armed as I was I sought him, and my axe
Has given his bath a bloody benediction.
My wife came running out in mortal fear
"The seneschal," she said, "was in my house,
Had ordered her to get a bath prepared,
And thereupon had taken unseemly freedoms,
From which she rid herself and flew to me."
Armed as I was I sought him, and my axe
Has given his bath a bloody benediction.
Werni. And you did well; no man can blame the deed.
Kuoni. The tyrant! Now he has his just reward!
We men of Unterwald have owed it long.
We men of Unterwald have owed it long.
- ↑ In German, Wolfenschiessen—a young man of noble family, and a native of Unterwalden, who attached himself to the house of Austria and was appointed Burgvogt, or seneschal, of the castle of Rossberg. He was killed by Baumgarten in the manner and for the cause mentioned in the text.
