[499] Luˊ-mi-nous, bright, shining.
[500] Lepˊ-ers, persons infested with leprosy.
LXIX.—WILLIAM TELL.
KNOWLES.
Switzerland was at one time subject to Austria. Gesler (pronounced Gesˊler), at the time of these events, in 1307, was the Austrian governor of Switzerland. He was a most cruel tyrant, and even pushed his tyranny so far as to require the Swiss to uncover their heads and bow down to his hat placed upon a pole. William Tell, a brave Swiss, refused to perform this act of servility. He was seized for punishment. Tell’s son, Albert, without his father’s knowledge, had been taken prisoner on the preceding day by Gesler. The truth of the narrative of the exploits of William Tell has been recently called in question.
Scene—A Chamber in the Castle. Enter Gesler, Officers, and
Sarnem, with Tell in chains and guarded.
Sarnem. Down, slave! Behold the governor.
Down! down! and beg for mercy.
Gesler. [Seated.] Does he hear?
Sar. He does, but braves thy power.