[As he is going out with the soldiers, six Fratres Misericordiae appear.]
ARM.
Here comes the brotherhood of mercy. Room!
STUSSI.
The victim's slain, and now the ravens stoop.
BROTHERS OF MERCY (form a semicircle round the body, and sing in
solemn tones).
Death hurries on with hasty stride,
No respite man from him may gain,
He cuts him down, when life's full tide
Is throbbing strong in every vein.
Prepared or not the call to hear,
He must before his Judge appear.
[While they are repeating the two last lines, the curtain falls.]
ACT V.
SCENE I.
A common near Altdorf. In the background to the right the keep of Uri, with the scaffold still standing, as in the third scene of the first Act. To the left, the view opens upon numerous mountains, on all of which signal fires are burning. Day is breaking, and distant bells are heard ringing in several directions.
Ruodi, Kuoni, Werni, Master Mason, and many other country people, also women and children.
RUODI.
See there! The beacons on the mountain heights!