Whoever hath a Seignior, let him obey according to the conditions of his service.
We are agreed to receive into these dales no Judge, who is not a countryman and indweller, or who hath bought his place.
Every controversy amongst the sworn confederates shall be determined by some of the sagest of their number, and if any one shall challenge their judgment, then shall he be constrained to obey it by the rest.
Whoever intentionally or deceitfully kills another, shall be executed, and whoever shelters him shall be banished.
Whoever burns the property of another shall no longer be regarded as a countryman, and whoever shelters him shall make good the damage done.
Whoever injures another, or robs him, and hath property in our country, shall make satisfaction out of the same.
No one shall distrain a debtor without a judge, nor any one who is not his debtor, or the surety of such debtor.
Every one in these dales shall submit to the judge, or we, the sworn confederates, all will take satisfaction for all the injury occasioned by his contumacy.And if in any internal division the one party will not accept justice, all the rest shall help the other party.These decrees shall, God willing, endure eternally for our general advantage.
MELCH.
I've many friends in Unterwald, and none That would not gladly venture life and limb, If fairly back'd and aided by the rest.
Oh! sage and reverend fathers of this land, Here do I stand before your riper years, An unskill'd youth, who in the Diet must Into respectful silence hush his voice.
Yet do not, for that I am young, and want Experience, slight my counsel and my words.
'Tis not the wantonness of youthful blood That fires my spirit; but a pang so deep That e'en the flinty rocks must pity me.
You, too, are fathers, heads of families, And you must wish to have a virtuous son, To reverence your grey hairs, and shield your eyes With pious and affectionate regard.
Do not, I pray, because in limb and fortune You still are unassailed, and still your eyes Revolve undimm'd and sparkling in their spheres;Oh, do not, therefore, disregard our wrongs!
Above you, also, hangs the tyrant's sword.
You, too, have striven to alienate the land From Austria.This was all my father's crime:
You share his guilt, and may his punishment.
STAUFF.(to Furst).
Do thou resolve! I am prepared to follow.
FURST.
First let us learn what steps the noble lords Von Sillinen and Attinghaus propose.
Their names would rally thousands to the cause.
MELCH.
Is there a name within the Forest Mountains That carried more respect than yours--and yours?
On names like these the people build their trust In time of need--such names are household words.
Rich was your heritage of manly worth, And richly have you added to its stores.
What need of nobles? Let us do the work Ourselves.Yes, though we have to stand alone, We shall be able to maintain our rights.
STAUFF.
The noble's wrongs are not so great as ours.
The torrent, that lays waste the lower grounds, Hath not ascended to the uplands yet.
But let them see the country once in arms, They'll not refuse to lend a helping hand.
FURST.
Were there an umpire 'twixt ourselves and Austria, Justice and law might then decide our quarrel.
But out oppressor is our Emperor too, And judge supreme.'Tis God must help us, then, And our own arm! Be yours the task to rouse The men of Schwytz.I'll rally friends in Uri.
But whom are we to send to Unterwald?
MELCH.
Thither send me.Whom should it more concern!
FURST.
No, Melchthal, no; you are my guest, and IMust answer for your safety.
MELCH.
Let me go.I know each forest track and mountain path;Friends too, I'll find, be sure, on every hand, To give me willing shelter from the foe.
STAUFF.
Nay, let him go; no traitors harbour there:
For tyranny is so abhorred in Unterwald, No tools can there be found to work her will.
In the low valleys, too, the Alzeller Will gain confederates, and rouse the country.
MELCH.
But how shall we communicate, and not Awaken the suspicion of the tyrants?
STAUFF.
Might we not meet at Brunnen or at Treib, Where merchant vessels with their cargoes come?
FURST.
We must not go so openly to work.
Hear my opinion.On the lake's left bank, As we sail hence to Brunnen, right against The Mytenstein, deep-hidden in the wood A meadow lies, by shepherds called the Rootli, Because the wood has been uprooted there.
[To Melchthal.]
'Tis where our Canton bound'ries verge on yours;[To Stauffacher.]
Your boat will carry you across from Schwytz.
Thither by lonely bypaths let us wend At midnight, and deliberate o'er our plans.
Let each bring with him there ten trusty men, All one at heart with us; and then we may Consult together for the general weal, And, with God's guidance, fix what next to do.
STAUFF.
So let it be.And now your true right hand!
Yours, too, young man! and as we now three men Among ourselves thus knit our hands together In all sincerity and truth, e'en so Shall we three cantons, too, together stand In victory and defeat, in life and death.
FURST and MELCH.
In life and death!
[They hold their hands clasped together for some moments in silence.]
MELCH.
Alas, my old blind father!
The day of *******, that thou canst not see, But thou shalt hear it, when from Alp to Alp The beacon fires throw up their flaming signs, And the proud castles of the tyrants fall, Into thy cottage shall the Switzer burst, Bear the glad tidings to thine ear, and o'er Thy darken'd way shall Freedom's radiance pour.
