Lives he? Oh say, can he still hear my voice?
[Illustration: DEATH OF ATTINGHAUSEN From the Painting by
Wilhelm von Kaulbach]
FÜRST (averting his face).
You are our seignior and protector now;
Henceforth this castle bears another name.
RUDENZ (gazing at the body with deep emotion).
Oh, God! Is my repentance, then, too late?
Could he not live some few brief moments more,
To see the change that has come o'er my heart?
Oh, I was deaf to his true counselling voice,
While yet he walked on earth. Now he is gone—
Gone, and for ever—leaving me the debt—
The heavy debt I owe him—undischarged!
Oh, tell me! did he part in anger with me?
STAUFF.
When dying, he was told what you had done,
And bless'd the valor that inspired your words!
RUDENZ (kneeling down beside the dead body).
Yes, sacred relics of a man beloved!
Thou lifeless corpse! Here, on thy death-cold hand,
Do I abjure all foreign ties for ever!
And to my country's cause devote myself.
I am a Switzer, and will act as one,
With my whole heart and soul.