（Concluded.）
SCENE 2.-Enter slowly,people in evident distress-Officers,Sarnem,Gesler,Tell,Albert,and soldiers--one bearing Tell‘s bow and quiver-another with a basket of apples.
Ges. That is your ground. Now shall they measure thence A hundred paces. Take the distance.
Tell. Is the line a true one?
Ges. True or not,what is’t tthee?
Tell. What is‘t tme? A little thing.A very little thing;a yard or twoIs nothing here or there-were it a wolf I shot at! Never mind.
Ges. Be thankful,slave,Our grace accords thee life on any terms.
Tell. I will be thankful,Gesler! Villain,stop!
You measure tthe sun.
Ges.And what of that?
What matter whether tor 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 can not see tshoot against the sun:
I will not shoot against the sun!
Ges. Give him his way! Thou hast cause tbless my mercy.
Tell. I shall remember it. I‘d like tseeThe apple I’m tshoot at.
Ges. Stay! show me the basket! there! Tell. You‘ve picked the smallest one. Ges. I know I have.
Tell. Oh,dyou? But you see.The color of it is dark: I’d have it light,Tsee it better.
Ges. Take it as it is;Thy skill will be the greater if thou hitt‘st it.
Tell. True! true! I did not think of that;I wonder I did not think of that. Give me some chance Tsave my boy!-I will not murder him,If I can help it-for the honor ofThe form thou wearest,if all the heart is gone. （Throws away the apple with all his force.）Ges. Well: choose thyself.
Tell. Have I a friend among the lookers-on?
Verner. （Rushing forward.） Here,Tell.
Tell. I thank thee,Verner!He is a friend runs out inta storm.Tshake a hand with us. I must be brief. When once the bow is bent,we can not take The shot tosoon. Verner,whatever beThe issue of this hour,the common cause Must not stand still. Let not to-morrow’s sun Set on the tyrant‘s banner! Verner! Verner!
The boy! the boy! Thinkest thou he hath the courage Tstand it?
Ver. Yes.
Tell. Does he tremble?
Ver. No.
Tell. Art sure?
Ver. I am.
Tell. How looks he?
Ver. Clear and smilingly.
If you doubt it,look yourself.
Tell. No,no,my friend: Thear it is enough.
Ver. He bears himself smuch above his years-Tell. I know! I know!
Ver. With constancy smodest.
Tell. I was sure he would-Ver. And looks with such relying love And reverence upon you-Tell. Man! Man! Man!
Nmore! Already I’m tomuch the father Tact the man! Verner,nmore,my friend!
I would be flint-flint-flint. Don‘t make me feel I’m not-dnot mind me! Take the boyAnd set him,Verner,with his back tme. Set him upon his knees,and place this appleUpon his head,sthat the stem may front me. Thus,Verner;charge him tkeep steady;tell him I‘ll hit the apple! Verner,dall thisMore briefly than I tell it thee.
Ver. Come,Albert! （Leading him out.）Alb. May I not speak with him before I go?
Ver. No.
Alb. I would only kiss his hand.
Ver. You must not.
Alb. I must;I can not gfrom 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 thim.）Alb. My father! （Rushing intTell’s arms.）Tell. If thou canst bear it,should not I? Gnow,My son;and keep in mind that I can shoot;Go,boy;be thou but steady,I will hitThe apple. Go! God bless thee;go. My bow!
（The bow is handed thim.） Thou wilt not fail thy master,wilt thou? Thou Hast never failed him yet,old servant. No,I‘m sure of thee. I know thy honesty,Thou art stanch,stanch. Let me see my quiver.
Ges. Give him a single arrow.
Tell. Dyou shoot?
Soldier. I do.
Tell. Is it syou pick an arrow,friend?
The point,you see,is bent;the feather,jagged. That’s all the use‘t is fit for. （Breaks it.）Ges. Let him have another.
Tell. Why,’t is better than the first,But yet not good enough for such an aim As I‘m ttake. ’T is heavy in the shaft; I‘ll not shoot with it! （Throws it away.） Let me see my quiver.
Bring it!’T is not one arrow in a dozenI‘d take tshoot 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.
（Tell here hides an arrow under his vest.）Ver. He is.
Tell. I’m ready too! Keep silent,forHeaven‘s sake,and dnot stir;and let me have Your prayers,your prayers,and be my witnessesThat if his life’s in peril from my hand,‘Tis only for the chance of saving it. （Tthe people.） Ges. Gon.
Tell. I will.
friends,for mercy’s sake keep motionless and silent. （Tell shoots. A shout of exultation bursts from the crowd. Tell‘s head drops on hisbosom;he with difficulty supports him-
self on his bow.）
Ver. （Rushing in with Albert.） The boy is safe,nhair of him is touched.
Alb. Father,I’m safe. Your Albert‘s safe,dear father.
Speak tme! Speak tme!
Ver. He can not,boy! Alb. You grant him life? Ges. I do.
Alb. And we are free?
Ges. You are. （Crossing angrily behind.） Alb. Open his vest,And give him air. （Albert opens his father’s vest,and the arrow drops. Tell starts,fixes his eyes on Albert and clasps him this breast.）Tell. My boy! My boy!
Ges. For what
Hid you that arrow in your breast? Speak,slave!
Tell. Tkill thee,tyrant,had I slain my boy!
