Herr Landvogt,
Can you not speak to me? Is there nothing
You would entrust me with?
[Gessler makes signs with his hand, and vehemently repeats them, as they are not understood.
Where shall I run?
To Küssnacht! I cannot understand you:
O, grow not angry! Leave the things of Earth,
And think how you shall make your peace with Heaven!
[The whole bridal company surround the dying man with an expression of unsympathising horror.
Stüssi. Look there! How pale he grows! Now! Death is coming
Round his heart: his eyes grow dim and fixed.
Armgart [lifts up one of her children].
See, children, how a miscreant departs!
Rudolph. Out on you, crazy hags! Have ye no touch
Of feeling in you, that ye feast your eyes
On such an object? Help me, lend your hands!
Will no one help to pull the tort'ring arrow
From his breast?
Women [start back]. We touch him whom God has smote!
Rudolph. My curse upon you![Draws his sword.
Stüssi [lays his hand on Rudolph's arm].
Softly, my good Sir!
Your government is at an end. The Tyrant
Is fallen: we will endure no farther violence:
We are free.