BAUM.
Almighty heavens!
I cannot wait; the least delay is death.
KUONI (to the fisherman).
Push out—God with you!
We should help our neighbours;
The like misfortune may betide us all.
[Thunder and the roaring of the wind.]
RUODI.
The South-wind's up![*] See how the lake is rising!
I cannot steer against both wind and wave.
[*] Literally, The Fohn is loose! "When," says Muller, in his History of Switzerland, "the wind called the Fohn is high, the navigation of the lake becomes extremely dangerous. Such is its vehemence, that the laws of the country require that the fires shall be extinguished in the houses while it lasts, and the night watches are doubled. The inhabitants lay heavy stones upon the roofs of their houses, to prevent their being blown away."
BAUM. (clasping him by the knees).
God so help you as now you pity me!
WERNI.
His life's at stake. Have pity on him, man!
KUONI.
He is a father: has a wife and children.
[Repeated peals of thunder.]
RUODI.
What! and have I not, then, a life to lose,
A wife and child at home as well as he?
See how the breakers foam, and toss, and whirl,
And the lake eddies up from all its depths!
Right gladly would I save the worthy man,
But 'tis impossible, as you must see.