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WILHELM TELL.
11
Baum. The deed got wind, and now they're in pursuit.
Heavens! whilst we speak, the time is flying fast.
Heavens! whilst we speak, the time is flying fast.
[It begins to thunder.
Kuoni. Quick, ferrymen, and set the good man over.
Ruodi. Impossible! a storm is close at hand,
Wait till it pass! You must.
Wait till it pass! You must.
Baum.Almighty heavens!
I cannot wait; the least delay is death.
I cannot wait; the least delay is death.
Kuoni. (to the fisherman).
Push out. God with you! We should help our neighbors;
The like misfortune may betide us all.
Push out. God with you! We should help our neighbors;
The like misfortune may betide us all.
{Thunder and the roaring of the wind.
Ruodi. The south wind's up![1] See how the lake is rising!
I cannot steer against both storm and wave.
I cannot steer against both storm and wave.
Baum. (clasping him by the knees).
God so help you, as now you pity me!
God so help you, as now you pity me!
Werni. His life's at stake. Have pity on him, man!
Kuoni. He is a father: has a wife and children.
[Repeated peals of thunder.
Ruodi. What! and have I not, then, a life to lose,
A wife and child at home as well as he?
See, how the breakers foam, and toss, and whirl,
And the lake eddies up from all its depths!
Right gladly would I save the worthy man,
But 'tis impossible, as you must see.
A wife and child at home as well as he?
See, how the breakers foam, and toss, and whirl,
And the lake eddies up from all its depths!
Right gladly would I save the worthy man,
But 'tis impossible, as you must see.
Baum. (still kneeling).
Then must I fall into the tyrant's hands,
And with the port of safety close in sight!
Yonder it lies! My eyes can measure it,
My very voice can echo to its shores.
There is the boat to carry me across,
Yet I must lie here helpless and forlorn.
Then must I fall into the tyrant's hands,
And with the port of safety close in sight!
Yonder it lies! My eyes can measure it,
My very voice can echo to its shores.
There is the boat to carry me across,
Yet I must lie here helpless and forlorn.
Kuoni. Look! who comes here?
- ↑ Literally the Fühn is loose! "When," says Müller, in his History of Switzerland, "the wind called the Fühn is high the navigation of the lake becomes extremely dangerous. Such is its vehemence that the laws of the country require that the fires shall be extinguished in the houses while it lasts, and the night watches are doubled. The inhabitants lay heavy stones upon the roofs of their houses to prevent their being blown away."
