MASON.

Why, here’s a mumming! 
And look, the cap—­what can they mean by that?

CRIER.

In the Emperor’s name, give ear!

WORK.

Hush! silence! hush!

CRIER.

Ye men of Uri, ye do see this cap! 
It will be set upon a lofty pole
In Altdorf, in the market place:  and this
Is the Lord Governor’s good will and pleasure;
The cap shall have like honor as himself,
All do it reverence with bended knee,
And head uncovered; thus the King will know
Who are his true and loyal subjects here;
His life and goods are forfeit to the crown
That shall refuse obedience to the order.

[The people burst out into laughter.  The drum beats and the procession passes on.]

1ST W.

A strange device to fall upon indeed: 
Do reverence to a cap!  A pretty farce! 
Heard ever mortal anything like this?

MAS.  M.

Down to a cap on bended knee, forsooth! 
Rare jesting this with men of sober sense!

1ST W.

Nay, an it were the imperial crown!  A cap! 
Merely the cap of Austria!  I’ve seen it
Hanging above the throne in Gessler’s hall.

MASON.

The cap of Austria?  Mark that!  A snare
To get us into Austria’s power, by Heaven!

WORK.

No freeborn man will stoop to such disgrace.

MAS.  M.

Come—­to our comrades, and advise with them;

[They retire up.]

TELL (to STAUFFACHER).

You see how matters stand!  Farewell, my friend!

STAUFF.

Whither away?  Oh, leave us not so soon.

TELL.

They look for me at home.  So fare ye well.

STAUFF.

My heart’s so full, and has so much to tell you.

TELL.

Words will not make a heart that’s heavy light.

STAUFF.

Yet words may possibly conduct to deeds.

TELL.

Endure in silence!  We can do no more.

STAUFF.

But shall we bear what is not to be borne?

TELL.

Impetuous rulers have the shortest reigns. 
When the fierce south wind rises from his chasms,
Men cover up their fires, the ships in haste
Make for the harbor, and the mighty spirit
Sweeps o’er the earth, and leaves no trace behind. 
Let every man live quietly at home;
Peace to the peaceful rarely is denied.

STAUFF.

And is it thus you view our grievances?

TELL.

The serpent stings not till it is provoked;
Let them alone; they’ll weary of themselves,
When they shall see we are not to be roused.

STAUFF.

Much might be done—­did we stand fast together.

TELL.

When the ship founders, he will best escape
Who seeks no other’s safety but his own.

STAUFF.