FISHER.

I know it.  At the foot of the Great Axen;
So steep it looks, I never could have dreamt
That from a boat a man could leap to it.

TELL.

I bade the men to row with all their force
Until we came before the shelving ledge. 
For there, I said, the danger will be past! 
Stoutly they pull’d, and soon we near’d the point;
One prayer to God for His assisting grace,
And, straining every muscle, I brought round
The vessel’s stern close to the rocky wall;
Then snatching up my weapons, with a bound
I swung myself upon the flattened shelf,
And with my feet thrust off, with all my might,
The puny bark into the watery hell. 
There let it drift about, as Heaven ordains! 
Thus am I here, deliver’d from the might
Of the dread storm, and man’s more dreadful still.

FISHER.

Tell, Tell, the Lord has manifestly wrought
A miracle in thy behalf!  I scarce
Can credit my own eyes.  But tell me, now,
Whither you propose to betake yourself? 
For you will be in peril, should perchance
The Viceroy ’scape this tempest with his life.

TELL.

I heard him say, as I lay bound on board,
At Brunnen he proposed to disembark,
And, crossing Schwytz, convey me to his castle.

FISHER.

Means he to go by land?

TELL.

So he intends.

FISHER.

Oh, then conceal yourself without delay! 
Not twice will Heaven release you from his grasp.

TELL.

Which is the nearest way to Arth and Kuessnacht?

FISHER.

The public road leads by the way of Steinen,
But there’s a nearer road, and more retired,
That goes by Lowerz, which my boy can show you.

TELL (gives his hand).

May Heaven reward your kindness!  Fare ye well.

[As he is going, he comes back.]

Did not you also take the oath at Rootli? 
I heard your name, methinks.

FISHERMAN.

Yes, I was there,
And took the oath of the confederacy.

TELL.

Then do me this one favor:  speed to Buerglen—­
My wife is anxious at my absence—­tell her
That I am, free, and in secure concealment.

FISHER.

But whither shall I tell her you have fled?

TELL.

You’ll find her father with her, and some more,
Who took the oath with you upon the Rootli;
Bid them resolute and strong of heart—­
For Tell is free and master of his arm;
They shall hear further news of me ere long.

FISHER.

What have you, then, in view?  Come, tell me frankly!

TELL.

When once ’tis done, ’twill be in every mouth.

[Exit.]

FISHER.

Show him the way, boy.  Heaven be his support! 
Whate’er he has resolved, he’ll execute.

[Exit.]