STAUFF.

The nobles’ wrongs are not so great as ours. 
The torrent, that lays waste the lower grounds,
Hath not ascended to the uplands yet. 
But let them see the country once in arms,
They’ll not refuse to lend a helping hand.

FUeRST.

Were there an umpire ’twixt ourselves and Austria,
Justice and law might then decide our quarrel. 
But our oppressor is our Emperor too,
And judge supreme.  ’Tis God must help us, then,
And our own arm!  Be yours the task to rouse
The men of Schwytz; I’ll rally friends in Uri. 
But whom are we to send to Unterwald?

MELCH.

Thither send me.  Whom should it more concern?

FUeRST.

No, Melchthal, no; you are my guest, and I
Must answer for your safety.

MELCH.

Let me go. 
I know each forest track and mountain path;
Friends too, I’ll find, be sure, on every hand,
To give me willing shelter from the foe.

STAUFF.

Nay, let him go; no traitors harbor there: 
For tyranny is so abhorred in Unterwald,
No tools can there be found to work her will. 
In the low valleys, too, the Alzeller
Will gain confederates, and rouse the country.

MELCH.

But how shall we communicate, and not
Awaken the suspicion of the tyrants?

STAUFF.

Might we not meet at Brunnen or at Treib,
Where merchant vessels with their cargoes come?

FUeRST.

We must not go so openly to work. 
Hear my opinion.  On the lake’s left bank,
As we sail hence to Brunnen, right against
The Mytenstein, deep-hidden in the wood
A meadow lies, by shepherds called the Rootli,
Because the wood has been uprooted there. 
’Tis where our Canton bound’ries verge on yours;—­

     [To MELCHTHAL.]

Your boat will carry you across from Schwytz.

     [To STAUFFACHER.]

Thither by lonely by-paths let us wend
At midnight, and deliberate o’er our plans. 
Let each bring with him there ten trusty men,
All one at heart with us; and then we may
Consult together for the general weal,
And, with God’s guidance, fix what next to do.

STAUFF.

So let it be.  And now your true right hand! 
Yours, too, young man! and as we now three men
Among ourselves thus knit our hands together
In all sincerity and truth, e’en so
Shall we three Cantons, too, together stand
In victory and defeat, in life and death.

FUeRST and MELCHTHAL.

In life and death.

[They hold their hands clasped together for some moments in silence.]

MELCH.

Alas, my old blind father! 
The day of freedom, that thou canst not see. 
But thou shalt hear it, when from Alp to Alp
The beacon fires throw up their flaming signs,
And the proud castles of the tyrants fall,
Into thy cottage shall the Switzer burst,
Bear the glad tidings to thine ear, and o’er
Thy darken’d way shall Freedom’s radiance pour.