ESSLER. Where are my servants?
Quick! Take her hence! I may forget myself,
And do the thing I shall repent.

RUDOLPH. My lord,
The servants cannot pass; the place above
Is crowded by a bridal company.

GESSLER. I've been too mild a ruler to this people;
They are not tamed as they should be; their tongues
Are still at liberty. This shall be alter'd!
I will break that stubborn humour; Freedom
With its pert vauntings shall no more be heard of:
I will enforce a new law in these lands;
There shall not--

[_An arrow pierces him; he claps his hand upon his heart, and is about
to sink. With a faint voice_

God be merciful to me!

RUDOLPH. Herr Landvogt--God! What is it? Whence came it?

ARMGART [_springing up_].
Dead! dead! He totters, sinks! 'T has hit him!

RUDOLPH [_springs from his horse_].
Horrible!--O God of Heaven!--Herr Ritter,
Cry to God for mercy! You are dying.

GESSLER. 'Tis Tell's arrow.

[_Has slid down from his horse into Rudolph's arms, who sets him on
the stone bench._

TELL [_appears above, on the point of the rock_].
Thou hast found the archer;
Seek no other. Free are the cottages,
Secure is innocence from thee; thou wilt
Torment the land no more.

[_Disappears from the height. The people rush in._

STUeSSI [_foremost_]. What? What has happen'd?

ARMGART. The Landvogt shot, kill'd by an arrow.

PEOPLE [_rushing in_]. Who?
Who is shot?

[_Whilst the foremost of the wedding company enter on the Scene, the
hindmost are still on the height, and the music continues._

RUDOLPH. He's bleeding, bleeding to death.
Away! Seek help; pursue the murderer!
Lost man! Must it so end with thee? Thou wouldst not
Hear my warning!

STUeSSI. Sure enough! There lies he
Pale and going fast.

MANY VOICES. Who was it killed him?

RUDOLPH. Are the people mad, that they make music
Over murder? Stop it, I say!

[_The music ceases suddenly; more people come crowding round._

Herr Landvogt,
Can you not speak to me? Is there nothing
You would entrust me with?

[_Gessler makes signs with his hand, and vehemently repeats them, as
they are not understood._

Where shall I run?
To Kuessnacht! I cannot understand you:
O, grow not angry! Leave the things of Earth,
And think how you shall make your peace with Heaven