The fourth example is that of a grand, positive exultation in the moral beauty and glory of human nature in its undesecrated experiences. In response to the contemptible threat of the despot that his vengeance can kill, and that that is enough, Tell raises his face proudly, stretches out his arm, and says, in rich, strong accents,-- "No: not enough: It cannot take away the grace of life,-- Its comeliness of look that virtue gives,-- Its port erect with consciousness of truth,-- Its rich attire of honorable deeds,-- Its fair report that's rife on good men's tongues: It cannot lay its hands on these, no more Than it can pluck his brightness from the sun, Or with polluted finger tarnish it." The capacities of parental and filial affection in tragic pathos are wrought up by Knowles in the last two acts with consummate and unrelenting skill. The varied interest and suspense of the dialogue and action between Tell and Albert are harrowing, as, neither knowing that the other is in the power of Gesler, they are suddenly brought together. Instinct teaches them to appear as strangers. The struggle to suppress their feelings and play their part under the imminent danger is followed with painful excitement as the plot thickens and the dread catastrophe seems hurrying. Tell, ordered to instant execution, seeks to speak a few last words to his son, under the pretext of sending a farewell message to his Albert by the stranger boy. In a voice whose condensed and tremulous murmuring betrays all the crucified tenderness it refuses to express, he says,-- "Thou dost not know me, boy; and well for thee Thou dost not. I'm the father of a son About thy age; I dare not tell thee where To find him, lest he should be found of those 'Twere not so safe for him to meet with. Thou, I see, wast born, like him, upon the hills: If thou shouldst 'scape thy present thraldom, he May chance to cross thee; if he should, I pray thee, Relate to him what has been passing here, And say I laid my hand upon thy head, And said to thee--if he were here, as thou art, Thus would I bless him: Mayst thou live, my boy, To see thy country free, or die for her As I do!"