Tell. What is 't to me? A little thing, A very little thing - Is nothing here or there were it a wolf Never mind. Ges. Be thankful, slave, Our grace accords thee life on any terms. Tell. I will be thankful, Gesler! - Villain, stop! You measure to the sun. Ges. And what of that? What matter whether to or from the sun! Tell. I'd have it at my back - The sun should shine Upon the mark, and not on him that shoots. I cannot see to shoot against the sun I will not shoot against the sun! Ges. Give him his way! Thou hast cause to bless my mercy Tell. I shall remember it. I'd like to see The apple I'm to shoot at. Ges. Stay show me the basket! there Tell. You've picked the smallest one. Tell. O! do you? But you see The color on 't is dark - I'd have it light, To see it better. Ges. Take it as it is: Thy skill will be the greater if thou hit'st it. Tell. True - true! I did not think of that - To save my boy!— (Throws away the apple with all his force.) I will not murder him, If I can help it - for the honor of The form thou wearest, if all the heart is gone. Ges. Well choose thyself. Tell. Have I a friend among the lookers-on ? He is a friend runs out into a storm To shake a hand with us. I must be brief. - courage To hear it is enough. Ver. He bears himself so much above his years Tell. I know!- I know. Ver. With constancy so modest ! Tell. I was sure he would Ver. And looks with such relying love And reverence upon you. Tell. Man! Man! Man! No more! Already I'm too much the father To act the man!-Verner, no more, my friend! I'm not Don't make me fee. do not mind me! - Take the boy And set him, Verner, with his back to me. Set him upon his knees and place this apple Thus, Verner; charge him to keep steady-tell him More briefly than I tell it thee. Ver. Come, Albert! (Leading him out.) Alb. I would only kiss his hand. Ver. You must not. Alb. I must!—I cannot go from him without. Ver. It is his will you should. Alb. His will is it? I am content then- come. Tell. My boy! (Holding out his arms to him.) - go. My bow!-(The bow is handed him, Thou wilt not fail thy master, wilt thou?-thou Hast never failed him yet, old servant No, Tell. Is it so you pick an arrow, friend? The point you see is bent; the feather jagged — (Breaks it.) That's all the use 't is fit for. Ges. Let him have another. Tell. Why 't is better than the first, But yet not good enough for such an aim I'll not shoot with it! (Throws it away.) Let me see my quiver I'd take to shoot with at a dove, much less A dove like that. Ges. It matters not. Show him the quiver. Tell. See if the boy is ready. Ver. He is. (Tell here hues an arrow under his vest.) Tell. I'm ready too! Keep silent for Heaven's sake, and do not stir- - and let me have Your prayers your prayers and be my witnesses That if his life's in peril from my hand, "T is only for the chance of saving it. (To the people.) Ges. Go on. Tell. I will. O friends, for mercy's sake keep motionless And silent. (Tell shoots a shout of exultation bursts from the crowd. Tell's head drops on his bosom; he with difficulty supports himself upon his bow.) Ver. (Rushing in with Albert.) him is touched. Thy boy is safe, no hair of Alb. Father, I'm safe - Your Albert 's safe, dear father, — Speak to me! Speak to me ! Ver. He cannot, boy! Alb. You grant him life? Ges. I do. Alb. And we are free? Ges. You are. (Crossing angrily behind.) Alb. Thank heaven!. Ver. Open his vest, thank heaven! And give him air. (Albert opens his father's vest, and the arrow drops. Tell starts — fixes his eye on Albert, and clasps him to his breast.) Tell. My boy! My boy! Ges. For what Hid you that arrow in your breast? - Speak, slave ! THE KING-MAKER. EDWARD-WARWICK. KNOWLES. Edw. Let me have no intruders; above all, No welcome guest, it seems, unless I ask My lord of Suffolk's leave: there was a time Edw. There was a time, perhaps, (Enter Warwick.) When Warwick more desired, and more deserved it. Guided in secret every latent wheel Of government, and moved the whole machine : War. Who gave that cipher worth, and seated thee In that distressful hour, I seized the helm, Which you no longer want; but know, proud youth, Edw. Know, too, reproach for benefits received War. Why, that indeed is frugal honesty, Edw. When you have counted o'er the numerous train Of mighty gifts your bounty lavished on me, You may remember next the injuries Which I have done you let me know them all, And I will make you ample satisfaction. War. Thou canst not; thou hast robbed me of a jewel It is not in thy power to restore. I was the first, shall future annals say, That broke the sacred bond of public trust And mutual confidence; ambassadors, In after times, - mere instruments, perhaps, That haunt your court, could none be found but Warwick, Edw. And wouldst thou turn the vile reproach on me? If I have broke my faith, and stained the name Of England, thank thy own pernicious counsels That urged me to it, and extorted from me A cold consent to what my heart abhorred. War. I've been abused, insulted, and betrayed: Edw. These gusts of passion Will but inflame them. If I have been right War. Elizabeth ! Edw. Nay, start not: I have cause |