STAUFFACHER (to FUeRST).

The measure’s full—­and are we then to wait
Till some extremity—­

MELCH.

Peace!  What extremity
Remains for us to dread?  What, when our eyes
No longer in their sockets are secure? 
Heavens!  Are we helpless?  Wherefore did we learn
To bend the cross-bow—­wield the battle-axe? 
What living creature but in its despair,
Finds for itself a weapon of defence? 
The baited stag will turn, and with the show
Of his dread antlers hold the hounds at bay;
The chamois drags the huntsman down th’ abyss;
The very ox, the partner of man’s toil,
The sharer of his roof, that meekly bends
The strength of his huge neck beneath the yoke,
Springs up, if he’s provoked, whets his strong horn,
And tosses his tormentor to the clouds.

FUeRST.

If the three Cantons thought as we three do,
Something might, then, be done, with good effect.

STAUFF.

When Uri calls, when Unterwald replies,
Schwytz will be mindful of her ancient league.[44]

MELCH.

I’ve many friends in Unterwald, and none
That would not gladly venture life and limb,
If fairly back’d and aided by the rest. 
Oh! sage and reverend fathers of this land,
Here do I stand before your riper years,
An unskill’d youth, who in the Diet must
Into respectful silence hush his voice. 
Yet do not, for that I am young, and want
Experience, slight my counsel and my words. 
’Tis not the wantonness of youthful blood
That fires my spirit; but a pang so deep
That e’en the flinty rocks must pity me. 
You, too, are fathers, heads of families,
And you must wish to have a virtuous son,
To reverence your gray hairs, and shield your eyes
With pious and affectionate regard. 
Do not, I pray, because in limb and fortune
You still are unassail’d, and still your eyes
Revolve undimm’d and sparkling in their spheres—­
Oh, do not, therefore, disregard our wrongs! 
Above you, also, hangs the tyrant’s sword. 
You, too, have striven to alienate the land
From Austria.  This was all my father’s crime: 
You share his guilt, and may his punishment.

STAUFFACHER (to FUeRST).

Do thou resolve!  I am prepared to follow.

FUeRST.

First let us learn what steps the noble lords
Von Sillinen and Attinghaus propose. 
Their names would rally thousands to the cause.

MELCH.

Is there a name within the Forest Mountains
That carries more respect than yours—­and yours? 
On names like these the people build their trust
In time of need—­such names are household words. 
Rich was your heritage of manly worth,
And richly have you added to its stores. 
What need of nobles?  Let us do the work
Ourselves.  Yes, though we have to stand alone,
We shall be able to maintain our rights.