She was humble of heart, serious in her conversation, fonder of reading than of speaking. She placed her confidence rather in the prayer of the poor than in the uncertain riches of the world. She was ever intent on her occupations, and accustomed to make God rather than man the witness of her thoughts. She injured no one, wished well to all, reverenced age, yielded not to envy, avoided all boasting, followed the dictates of reason, and loved virtue. --ST. AMBROSE. A SCENE FROM “WILLIAM TELL” (Switzerland had been conquered by Austria, and Gesler, a cruel tyrant, was her governor. William Tell had refused to bow before Gesler’s hat, which had been elevated on a pole; he was therefore arrested and taken before the governor. His son Albert was also taken, and both were threatened with death.) [Illustration] SCENE I (_WILLIAM TELL, ALBERT, his son, and GESLER with officers. TELL in chains._) GESLER. What is thy name? TELL. My name? It matters not to keep it from thee now-- My name is Tell. GES. Tell!--William Tell? TELL. The same. GES. What! he so famed ’bove all his countrymen For guiding o’er the stormy lake the boat? And such a master of his bow, ’tis said His arrows never miss! Indeed, I’ll take Exquisite vengeance! Mark! I’ll spare thy life-- Thy boy’s, too!--both of you are free--on one Condition. TELL. Name it. GES. I would see you make A trial of your skill with that same bow You shoot so well with. TELL. Name the trial you Would have me make. GES. You look upon your boy As though instinctively you guessed it. TELL. Look upon my boy! What mean you? Look upon My boy as though I guessed it! Guessed the trial You’d have me make! Guessed it Instinctively! you do not mean--no--no-- You would not have me make a trial of My skill upon my child! Impossible! I do not guess your meaning. GES. I would see Thee hit an apple at the distance of A hundred paces. TELL. Is my boy to hold it? GES. No. TELL. No! I’ll send the arrow through the core. GES. It is to rest upon his head. TELL. Great Heaven, you hear him! GES. Thou dost hear the choice I give-- Such trial of the skill thou art master of, Or death to both of you; not otherwise To be escaped. TELL. O monster! GES. Wilt thou do it? ALBERT. He will! he will! TELL. Ferocious monster! Make A father murder his own child-- GES. Take off His chains, if he consent. TELL. With his own hand! GES. Does he consent? ALB. He does. (_GESLER signs to his officers, who proceed to take off TELL’S chains. TELL all the time unconscious what they do._)