[Monk becomes attentive.
TELL.
Forget it now, and live for joy alone!
I'm here again with you! This is my cot
I stand again on mine own hearth!
WILHELM.
But, father,
Where is your crossbow left? I see it not.
TELL.
Nor shalt thou ever see it more, my boy.
It is suspended in a holy place,
And in the chase shall ne'er be used again.
HEDWIG.
Oh, Tell, Tell!
[Steps back, dropping his hand.
TELL.
What alarms thee, dearest wife?
HEDWIG.
How—how dost thou return to me? This hand—
Dare I take hold of it? This hand—Oh God!
TELL (with firmness and animation).
Has shielded you and set my country free;
Freely I raise it in the face of Heaven.
[MONK gives a sudden start—he looks at him.