William Tell. Be calm, my son. No harm will come to thee.
Gessler. Indeed, and is this your son? Has he come to mock the cap of our royal master, too? Seize the boy and bind him to yonder tree.
William Tell. What will you do with the boy? Does a captain war with a child?
Gessler. We shall see. I hear you are a famous shot, William Tell, and handle well the bow and arrow. We shall soon know your skill. Have you a good arrow in your quiver? Perhaps you can shoot an apple from the head of your child.
Soldier. Where shall I bind the boy, my captain?
Gessler. To yonder tree. If his father shoots the apple from his child's head, he shall go free. If he fails he must die. Are you ready?
William Tell. Rather would I die than risk killing my eldest son. Let him go, and take my life.
Gessler. That I shall not do. You must both die unless you save your lives as I have said. Will you try the shot or are you afraid?
William Tell. Bind the boy's eyes, I beg. He might move if he saw the arrow coming, and my skill would be in vain.