Part 268 (1/2)

Our cottages are free, and innocence Secure from thee: thou'lt be our curse no more.

[TELL disappears. People rush in.

STUSSI.

What is the matter? Tell me what has happened?

ARMGART.

The governor is shot,--killed by an arrow!

PEOPLE (running in).

Who has been shot?

[While the foremost of the marriage party are coming on the stage, the hindmost are still upon the heights.

The music continues.

HARRAS.

He's bleeding fast to death.

Away, for help--pursue the murderer!

Unhappy man, is't thus that thou must die?

Thou wouldst not heed the warnings that I gave thee!

STUSSI.

By heaven, his cheek is pale! His life ebbs fast.

MANY VOICES.

Who did the deed?

HARRAS.

What! Are the people mad That they make music to a murder? Silence!

[Music breaks off suddenly. People continue to flock in.

Speak, if thou canst, my lord. Hast thou no charge To intrust me with?

[GESSLER makes signs with his hand, which he repeats with vehemence, when he finds they are not understood.

What would you have me do?

Shall I to Kuessnacht? I can't guess your meaning.

Do not give way to this impatience. Leave All thoughts of earth and make your peace with Heaven.

[The whole marriage party gather round the dying man.

STUSSI.

See there! how pale he grows! Death's gathering now About his heart; his eyes grow dim and glazed.

ARMGART (holds up a child).

Look, children, how a tyrant dies!

HARRAS.