[Armgart's Wife enters with several children, and places herself at the entrance of the Pass.
Stüssi.'Tis thought to bode
Some great misfortune to the land; some black
Unnatural action.
Tell.Ev'ry day such actions
Occur in plenty: needs no sign or wonder
To foreshow them.
Stüssi.Ay, truly! Well for him
That tills his field in peace, and undisturb'd
Sits by his own fireside!
Tell.The peacefulest
Dwells not in peace, if wicked neighbours hinder.
[Tell looks often, with restless expectation, towards the top of the Pass.
Stüssi. Too true.—Good b'ye!—You're waiting here for some one?
Tell. That am I.
Stüssi.Glad meeting with your friends!
You are from Uri? His Grace the Landvogt
Is expected thence today.
Traveller [enters]. Expect not
The Landvogt now. The waters, from the rain,
Are flooded, and have swept down all the bridges.[Tell stands up.