FUeRST.

Give to the cloister what the cloister claims.

STAUFF.

The Empire only is my feudal lord.

FUeRST.

What needs must be, we’ll do, but nothing more. 
We’ll drive these tyrants and their minions hence,
And raze their towering strongholds to the ground,
Yet shed, if possible, no drop of blood. 
Let the Emperor see that we were driven to cast
The sacred duties of respect away;
And when he finds we keep within our bounds,
His wrath, belike, may yield to policy;
For truly is that nation to be fear’d
That, arms in hand, is temperate in its wrath.

REDING.

But prithee tell us how may this be done
The enemy is arm’d as well as we,
And, rest assured, he will not yield in peace.

STAUFF.

He will, whene’er he sees us up in arms;
We shall surprise him, ere he is prepared.

MEYER.

Easily said, but not so easily done. 
Two strongholds dominate the country—­they
Protect the foe, and should the king invade us,
Our task would then be dangerous indeed. 
Rossberg and Sarnen both must be secured,
Before a sword is drawn in either Canton.

STAUFF.

Should we delay, the foe would soon be warned. 
We are too numerous for secrecy.

MEYER.

There is no traitor in the Forest States.

ROeSSEL.

But even zeal may heedlessly betray.

FUeRST.

Delay it no longer, and the keep at Altdorf
Will be complete—­the governor secure.

MEYER.

You think but of yourselves.

SACRISTAN.

You’re unjust!

MEYER.

Unjust! said you?  Dares Uri taunt us so?

REDING.

Peace, on your oath!

SACRISTAN.

If Schwytz be leagued with Uri,
Why, then, indeed, we must perforce be dumb.

REDING.

And let me tell you, in the Diet’s name,
Your hasty spirit much disturbs the peace. 
Stand we not all for the same common cause?

WINK.

What, if till Christmas we delay?  ’Tis then
The custom for the serfs to throng the castle,
Bringing the governor their annual gifts. 
Thus may some ten or twelve selected men
Assemble unobserved, within its walls,
Bearing about their persons pikes of steel
Which may be quickly mounted upon staves;
For arms are not admitted to the fort. 
The rest can fill the neighb’ring wood, prepared
To sally forth upon a trumpet’s blast,
Soon as their comrades have secured the gate;
And thus the castle will with ease be ours.

MELCH.

The Rossberg I will undertake to scale. 
I have a sweetheart in the garrison,
Whom with some tender words I could persuade
To lower me at night a hempen ladder. 
Once up, my friends will not be long behind.

REDING.