Gesler. What then? Tell. They thank kind Providence it is not thou. As something they must lose, and had far better Gesler. 'Tis well. I'd have them as their hills, That never smile, though wanton summer tempt Tell. But they do sometimes smile. Tell. When they do pray for vengeance! Tell. They dare,—and they expect it too. Tell. From heaven, and their true hearts! Gesler (to Sarnem). Lead in his son. Now will I take Exquisite vengeance! (To Tell, as the boy enters.) I have destined him To die along with thee. Tell. To die! For what? He's but a child. Gesler. He's thine, however. Tell. He is an only child. Gesler. So much the easier to crush the race. Tell. He may have a mother. Gesler. So the viper hath, And yet who spares it for the mother's sake? 1 Tell. I talk to stone. I'll talk to it no more. Come, my boy,-I taught thee how to live,I'll teach thee how,- --to die! Gesler. But, first, I'd see thee make A trial of thy skill with that same bow. Tell. What is the trial? Gesler. Thou look'st upon thy boy as though thou guessed it. Tell. Look upon my boy! What mean you?— Look upon my boy as though I guessed it! Guessed the trial thou 'dst have me make !— Guessed it instinctively !—Thou dost not mean,- Gesler. I'd see thee hit an apple on his head Tell. Great Heaven! Gesler. On this condition will I spare His life and thine. Tell. Ferocious monster! Make a father Murder his own child! Gesler. Dost thou consent? The hand I've led him when an infant by! I'll not murder my boy, for Gesler. Boy. You will not hit me, father. You'll be sure To hit the apple. Will you not save us, father? Lead me forth. I'll make the trial. Tell. Tell. Speak not to me ; Let me not hear thy voice;-thou must be dumb; Give me my bow and quiver. Gesler. When all is ready. Sarnem, measure hence The distance, three hundred paces. Tell. Will he do it fairly? Gesler. What is 't to thee, fairly or not? Tell (sarcastically). O, nothing,-a little thing,A very little thing!-I only shoot At my child! (Sarnem prepares to measure.) Tell. Villain, stop! You measure against the sun. What matter whether to or from the sun? Tell. I'd have it at my back. The sun should shine Upon the mark, and not on him that shoots. I will not shoot against the sun. Gesler. Give him his way. (Sarnem paces, and goes out.) Tell. I should like to see the apple I must hit. Gesler (picks out the smallest one.) There,-take that. Tell. You've picked the smallest one. Gesler. I know I have. Thy skill will be The greater if thou hittest it. Tell (sarcastically): True, true! I did not think of that. I wonder I did not think of that. A larger one Had given me a chance to save my boy.- Give me my bow. Let me see my quiver. Gesler. Give him a single arrow (To an attendant.) (Tell looks at it, and breaks it.) Tell. Let me see my quiver. It is not To shoot with at a dove,-much less a dove Gesler. Show him the quiver. (Sarnem returns, and takes the apple and the boy to place them. While this is doing, Tell conceals an arrow under his garment; he then selects another arrow, and says,) Tell. Is the boy ready? Keep silence now, For Heaven's sake; and be my witnesses, That if his life's in peril from my hand, 'Tis only for the chance of saving it. For mercy's sake, keep motionless and silent. (He aims and shoots in the direction of the boy. In a moment Sarnem enters, with the apple on the arrow's point.) Sarnem. The boy is safe! Tell (raising his arms). Thank Heaven! (As he raises his arms, the concealed arrow falls.) Gesler (picking it up). Unequaled archer! why was this concealed? Tell. To kill thee, tyrant, had I slain my boy. ROLLA AND ALONZO. (Enter Rolla, disguised as a Monk.) Rolla. Inform me, friend, is Alonzo, the Peruvian, confined in this dungeon? Sentinel. He is. Rolla. I must speak with him. Sentinel. You must not. Rolla. He is Sentinel. my friend. Not if he were your brother. Rolla. What is to be his fate? Sentinel. He dies at sunrise. Rolla. Ha! then I am come in time, Rolla (advancing toward the door). Soldier, I must speak with him. Sentinel (pushing him back with his gun). Back! back! it is impossible. Rolla. I do entreat you, but for one moment. Sentinel. You entreat in vain,—my orders are most strict. Rolla. Lock on this massive wedge of gold! look on these precious gems! In thy land they will be wealth for thee and thine, beyond thy hope or wish. Take them; they are thine; let me but pass one moment with Alonzo. Sentinel Castilian! Away! Wouldst thou corrupt me ?—me, an old Rolla. Soldier, hast thou a wife ? Sentinel. I have. Rolla. Hast thou children? Sentinel. Four honest, lovely boys. Rolla. Where didst thou leave them? Sentinel. In my native village, in the very cot where I was born. Rolla. Dost thou love thy wife and children? Sentinel. Do I love them! God knows my heart,—I do. Rolla. Soldier, imagine thou wert doomed to die a cruel death, in a strange land,-what would be thy last request? Sentinel. That some of my comrades should carry my dying blessing to my wife and children. Rolla. What if that comrade was at thy prison door, and should there be told, "Thy fellow-soldier dies at sunrise, yet thou shalt not for a moment see him, nor shalt thou bear his |