Annette. What plan can he make to read our minds?
William Tell. A clever plan to tell a freeman from a slave. In Altdorf, our capital city, he has set up a pole. Upon the top of this pole he has put the cap of the Austrian king and has ordered every man to take off his hat as he passes by, to show that he yields to the Austrian rule. Is not this a brave plan? He who obeys the tyrant is a slave. Wouldst thou have thy husband doff his cap to his country's tyrant?
Annette. Never! I should despise thee, couldst thou do it!
William Tell. That is my own brave wife! Thou speakest as a free woman, the mother of free children, should speak. And our children shall be free! When I go to Altdorf I shall refuse to obey the order of Gessler and all Switzerland shall know that William Tell will not bow to a foreign tyrant.
Annette. But why go to Altdorf, my husband? Thou knowest the power of Gessler and his cruelty!
William Tell. Wouldst have me a coward? No, dear wife. When my business calls me to Altdorf I shall go and in all ways act as a free man, loyal to my country and afraid of no one.
Annette. Thou art a brave man, my husband, and I honor thee.
Scene II.—Altdorf: The Market place
William Tell, Albert, Soldiers, Gessler
William Tell. Come, my son, I have sold the chamois skins, and now I must buy the things your mother wished me to get for her.