Hedwig, Walter, and Wilheim
HEDW.
My own dear boys! your father comes to-day;
He lives, is free, and we and all are free;
The country owes its liberty to him!
WALT.
And I, too, mother, bore my part in it!
I must be named with him. My father's shaft
Ran my life close, but yet I never flinch'd.
HEDW. (embracing him).
Yes, yes, thou art restored to me again!
Twice have I seen thee given to my sad eyes,
Twice suffered all a mother's pangs for thee!
But this is past—I have you both, boys, both!
And your dear father will be back to-day.
[A monk appears at the door.]
WILL.
See, mother, yonder stands a holy friar;
He comes for alms, no doubt.
HEDW.
Go lead him in,
That we may give him cheer, and make him feel
That he has come into the house of joy.
[Exit, and returns immediately with a cup.]
WILL. (to the monk).
Come in, good man. Mother will give you food!
WALT.
Come in and rest, then go refresh'd away!