[While those in front are crowding round TELL, and embracing him, RUDENZ and BERTHA appear. The former salutes the peasantry, the latter embraces HEDWIG. The music front the mountains continues to play. When it has stopped, BERTHA steps into the centre of the crowd.]
BERTHA.
Peasants! Confederates! Into your league
Receive me, who was happily the first
That found deliverance in the land of freedom.
To your brave hands I now intrust my rights.
Will you protect me as your citizen?
PEASANTS.
Ay, that we will, with life and goods!
BERTHA. 'Tis well!
And now to him (turning to RUDENZ) I frankly give my hand.
A free Swiss maiden to a free Swiss man!
RUDENZ.
And from this moment all my serfs are free!
[Music, and the curtain falls.]