him. Verner, do I brag,
To think I some time may be like my father?
If so, then is it he that teaches me;
For, ever as I wonder at his skill,
He calls me boy, and says I must do more
Ere I become a man.

_Ver._ May you be such
A man as he--if heaven wills, better--I'll
Not quarrel with its work; yet 'twill content me
If you are only such a man.

_Alb._ I'll show you
How I can shoot (_goes out to fix the mark._)

_Ver._ Nestling as he is, he is the making of a bird
Will own no cowering wing.

_Re-enter_ ALBERT.

_Alb._ Now, Verner, look! (_shoots_) There's within
An inch!

_Ver._ Oh, fy! it wants a hand. [_Exit_ VERNER.

_Alb._ A hand's
An inch for me. I'll hit it yet. Now for it.

_While_ ALBERT _continues to shoot,_ TELL _enters and watches
him some time, in silence._

_Tell._ That's scarce a miss that comes so near the mark?
Well aimed, young archer! With what ease he bends
The bow. To see those sinews, who'd believe
Such strength did lodge in them? That little arm,
His mother's palm can span, may help, anon,
To pull a sinewy tyrant from his seat,
And from their chains a prostrate people lift
To liberty. I'd be content to die,
Living to see that day! What, Albert!

_Alb._ Ah!
My father!

_Tell._ You raise the bow
Too fast. (ALBERT _continues shooting._)
Bring it slowly to the eye.--You've missed.
How often have you hit the mark to-day?

_Alb._ Not once, yet.

_Tell._ You're not steady. I perceive
You wavered now. Stand firm. Let every limb
Be braced as marble, and as motionless.
Stand like the sculptor's statue on the gate
Of Altorf, that looks life, yet neither breathes
Nor stirs. (ALBERT _shoots_) That's better!
See well the mark. Rivet your eye to it
There let it stick, fast as the arrow would,
Could you but send it there. (ALBERT _shoots_)
You've missed again! How would you fare,
Suppose a wolf should cross your path, and you
Alone, with but your bow, and only time
To fix a single arrow? 'Twould not do
To miss the wolf! You said the other day,
Were you a man you'd not let Gesler live--
'Twas easy to say that. Suppose you, now,
Your life or his depended on that shot!--
Take care! That's Gesler!--Now for liberty!
Right to the tyrant's heart! (_hits the mark_) Well done, my boy!
Come here. How ea