_Tell._ I will be thankful, Gesler!--Villain, stop! You measure to the sun! _Ges._ And what of that? What matter whether to or from the sun? _Tell._ I’d have it at my back--the sun should shine Upon the mark, and not on him that shoots. I cannot see to shoot against the sun-- I will not shoot against the sun! _Ges._ Give him his way! Thou hast cause to bless my mercy. _Tell._ I shall remember it. I’d like to see The apple I’m to shoot at. _Ges._ Stay! show me the basket!--there-- _Tell._ You’ve picked the smallest one. _Ges._ I know I have. _Tell._ O! do you?--But you see The color on’t is dark--I’d have it light, To see it better. _Ges._ Take it as it is: Thy skill will be the greater if thou hit’st it. _Tell._ True--true! I did not think of that--I wonder I did not think of that--Give me some chance To save my boy! [_Throws away the apple with all his force._] I will not murder him, If I can help it--for the honor of The form thou wearest, if all the heart is gone. _Ges._ Well, choose thyself. _Tell._ Have I a friend among the lookers on? _Verner._ [_Rushing forward._] Here, Tell! _Tell._ I thank thee, Verner! He is a friend runs out into a storm To shake a hand with us. I must be brief: When once the bow is bent, we cannot take The shot too soon. Verner, whatever be The issue of this hour, the common cause Must not stand still. Let not to-morrow’s sun Set on the tyrant’s banner! Verner! Verner! The boy!--the boy! Thinkest thou he hath the courage To stand it. _Ver._ Yes. _Tell._ How looks he? _Ver._ Clear and smilingly: If you doubt it--look yourself. _Tell._ No--no--my friend: To hear it is enough. _Ver._ He bears himself so much above his years-- _Tell._ I know!--I know. _Ver._ With constancy so modest!-- _Tell._ I was sure he would-- _Ver._ And looks with such relying love And reverence upon you-- _Tell._ Man! Man! Man! No more! Already I’m too much the father To act the man!--Verner, no more, my friend! I would be flint--flint--flint. Don’t make me feel I’m not--Do not mind me!--Take the boy And set him, Verner, with his back to me. Set him upon his knees--and place this apple Upon his head, so that the stem may front me,-- Thus, Verner; charge him to keep steady--tell him I’ll hit the apple! Verner, do all this More briefly than I tell it thee. _Ver._ Come, Albert! [_Leading him out._] _Alb._ May I not speak with him before I go? _Ver._ No. _Alb._ I would only kiss his hand. _Ver._ You must not. _Alb._ I must!--I cannot go from him without. _Ver._ It is his will you should. _Alb._ His will, is it? I am content, then--come. _Tell._ My boy! [_Holding out his arms to him._] _Alb._ My father! [_Rushing into Tell’s arms._]