Were there an umpire 'twixt ourselves and Austria, Justice and law might then decide our quarrel. But our oppressor is our Emperor too, And judge supreme. 'Tis God must help us, then, And our own arm! Be yours the task to rouse The men of Schwytz; I'll rally friends in Uri. But whom are we to send to Unterwald? MELCH. Thither send me. Whom should it more concern? FÜRST. No, Melchthal, no; you are my guest, and I Must answer for your safety. MELCH. Let me go. I know each forest track and mountain path; Friends too, I'll find, be sure, on every hand, To give me willing shelter from the foe. STAUFF. Nay, let him go; no traitors harbor there: For tyranny is so abhorred in Unterwald, No tools can there be found to work her will. In the low valleys, too, the Alzeller Will gain confederates, and rouse the country. MELCH. But how shall we communicate, and not Awaken the suspicion of the tyrants? STAUFF. Might we not meet at Brunnen or at Treib, Where merchant vessels with their cargoes come? FÜRST. We must not go so openly to work. Hear my opinion. On the lake's left bank, As we sail hence to Brunnen, right against The Mytenstein, deep-hidden in the wood A meadow lies, by shepherds called the Rootli, Because the wood has been uprooted there. 'Tis where our Canton bound'ries verge on yours;-- [_To_ MELCHTHAL.] Your boat will carry you across from Schwytz. [_To_ STAUFFACHER.] Thither by lonely by-paths let us wend At midnight, and deliberate o'er our plans. Let each bring with him there ten trusty men, All one at heart with us; and then we may Consult together for the general weal, And, with God's guidance, fix what next to do. STAUFF. So let it be. And now your true right hand! Yours, too, young man! and as we now three men Among ourselves thus knit our hands together In all sincerity and truth, e'en so Shall we three Cantons, too, together stand In victory and defeat, in life and death. FÜRST _and_ MELCHTHAL. In life and death. [_They hold their hands clasped together for some moments in silence_.] MELCH. Alas, my old blind father! The day of freedom, that thou canst not see. But thou shalt hear it, when from Alp to Alp The beacon fires throw up their flaming signs, And the proud castles of the tyrants fall, Into thy cottage shall the Switzer burst, Bear the glad tidings to thine ear, and o'er Thy darken'd way shall Freedom's radiance pour. * * * * * ACT II SCENE I _The Mansion of the_ BARON of ATTINGHAUSEN. _A Gothic Hall, decorated with escutcheons and helmets_. The BARON, _a gray-headed man, eighty-five years old, tall and of a commanding mien, clad in a furred pelisse, and leaning on a staff tipped with chamois horn_. KUONI _and six hinds standing round him with rakes and scythes_. ULRICH of RUDENZ _enters in the costume of a Knight_. RUDENZ. Uncle, I'm here! Your will? ATTINGHAUSEN.