But could I draw the tyrant on that shrinks
Behind you. There he is! I'll take yon crag,
From which a leap, they dare not take, at once
Enables me to distance them, and there

Bring him to parley.

[Ascends the crag.

Enter Archers and Spearsmen, followed by GESLER. Ges. Wherefore do you fly?

Tell. Wherefore do you pursue me?

Said you not

You'd give me liberty, if through the storm
I safely steer'd your prow? The waves did then
Lash over you; your pilot left the helm ;
I took it, and they rear'd their heads no more,
Unless to bow them and give way to me,
And let your pinnace on. You did repeat
Your promise, as you trembling lay along
The bottom of the bark, and scann'd the looks
Of your pale crew, that shrunk, while fiercer wax'd
The fury of the wind, and to its height
The roaring of the angry thunder rose,

Through which I brought you as through savage foes,
My friends, that for my sake forbore.

Promised me liberty. I only take
What you did promise.

Ges. Traitor, 'twas your place

To wait my time.

Tell. It would have been, had I Believed that time would come.

You twice

If I'm a prize

Worthy to take, why hang you thus behind

Your minions? Why not lead the chase yourself?
Lack you the manhood e'en to breast the sport

You love?

Ges. Transfix the slave with all your darts At once.

Tell. Ha.

[Takes aim again—they drop their weapons, which

they had half raised.

Follow me! Keen huntsmen they

The

game itself must urge.

Keep up the chase!

[He rushes from the rock.

Ges. You keep too close together. Spread yourselves, That some of you may hit him unawares.

His quiver full of ducats to the man

That brings him down. On, cowards-on, I say!

[They go out.

SCENE IV.-The outside of Gesler's Castle—the Drawbridge up- the ducal banner of Austria hoisted-the ramparts lined with Archer and Spearsmen.

SARNEM, RODOLPH, GERARD, and LUTOLD, on the top of an advanced bastion.-In the front, VERNER, THEODORE, and PIERRE, with Burghers and FURST, with Mountaineers, all armed.

Sar. [On the bastion.] What means this hostile show? Speak, burghers, why

Before these walls assemble ye in arms?

Ver. To drive the spoilers of our country from
Their hold, avenge her cruel wrongs, and set
Her children free!

Sar. Be warn'd in time;-disperse !—
Your homes! your homes! or not a man of
But treads upon his grave.

Ver. Take warning thou!

you

Of thee and every soul that with thee bides
That castle is the tomb, unless you straight
Surrender William Tell!-Is he alive?—
Give up our countryman-we'll treat with thee
For but the sake of sparing human blood!
Sar. Traitor, he is not here.

He lives but for your threat, to show you what's
Its weight-Behold his son !

[ALBERT is led forward by the Headsman, with a
drawn sword.

And heed how he's

Attended!--Mind! the gnomon's on the hour:
If, when it rings, a single soul remains

Of those rebellious bands, the headsman does
His office.-Mark me further, renegade!

Gesler is at his castle on the lake,

Where lies thy countryman, in chains last night
Transported thither-whom the torture hath
Confess'd-The governor is master of

Your plans; and, reinforced, is on his way—

TELL rushes in, followed by ERNI and Mountaineers.

Tell. Villain, 'tis false !—Alive thou ne'er shalt see Thy master more!-An arrow from his bow

Hath felt the last throb of the tyrant's heart.
Proceed to the assault.

Ver. See! William-see!

Sar. A single arrow drawn, he dies.
Tell. [Confused.] How's this?

Ver. Yes, William, 'tis thy son. I know not how He fell into their power,

Tell. I see him not!

I see my country, Verner, not my son !

She holds her arms to me-with piteous cries,
Recounts her children's wrongs-shows me the hands
Of free-born sons, festering in chains—the locks
Of hoary parents steep'd in their own blood;
And tangled tresses of her daughters, torn
By hands that did despoil them of the gem
Life has no price to name for. I've no son,
Ye men of Switzerland! Look there, and see
Your tyrant's hold-who'll draw an arrow first?
Will none dispute the glory of the deed
With Tell?—There, then!

[TELL shoots, and the Headsman falls—the hour is
rung-MICHAEL, JAGHELI, and their friends,
rush out upon the ramparts, and some secure
SARNEM and his Officers, while others rapidly
lower the portcullis-TELL, entering the fortress
over the bridge, with his friends, strikes down the
Austrian banner, and, hurrying on, receives
ALBERT from MICHAEL.-Enter, on each side,
EMMA, and OLD MELCTAL, AGNES, ANNELI,
and WALDMAN.

Tell. My country's free! Save what is shed, we win

A bloodless victory. We'll temper vengeance
With mercy.-Austrians, you'll quit a land
You never had a right to, and you'll learn
A country's never lost that hath a son
To wrestle with a tyrant who'd enslave her.

[A burst of exultation from the Swiss.

END OF WILLIAM TELL.

ALFRED THE GREAT;

OR,

The Patriot King:

AN HISTORICAL PLAY.