The land is fair and bountiful as Heaven; But they who till it never may enjoy The fruits of what they sow. WALTER. Live they not free, As you do, on the land their fathers left them? TELL. The fields are all the bishop's or the king's. WALTER. But they may freely hunt among the woods? TELL. The game is all the monarch's--bird and beast. WALTER. But they, at least, may surely fish the streams? TELL. Stream, lake, and sea, all to the king belong. WALTER. Who is this king, of whom they're so afraid? TELL. He is the man who fosters and protects them. WALTER. Have they not courage to protect themselves? TELL. The neighbor there dare not his neighbor trust. WALTER. I should want breathing room in such a land. I'd rather dwell beneath the avalanches. TELL. 'Tis better, child, to have these glacier peaks Behind one's back than evil-minded men! [_They are about to pass on_.] WALTER. See, father, see the cap on yonder pole! TELL. What is the cap to us? Come, let's begone. [_As he is going_, FRIESSHARDT, _presenting his pike, stops him_.] FRIESS. Stand, I command you, in the Emperor's name! TELL (_seizing the pike_). What would ye? Wherefore do ye stop me thus? FRIESS. You've broke the mandate, and with us must go. LEUTH. You have not done obeisance to the cap. TELL. Friend, let me go. FRIESS. Away, away to prison! WALTER. Father to prison? Help! [_Calling to the side scene_.] This way, you men! Good people, help! They're dragging him to prison! [RÖSSELMANN _the Priest, and the_ SACRISTAN, _with three other men, enter_.] SACRIST. What's here amiss? RÖSSELMANN. Why do you seize this man? FRIESS. He is an enemy of the King--a traitor. TELL (_seizing him with violence_). A traitor, I? RÖSSELMANN. Friend, thou art wrong. 'Tis Tell, An honest man, and worthy citizen. WALTER (_descries_ FÜRST _and runs up to him_). Grandfather, help, they want to seize my father! FRIESS. Away to prison! FÜRST (_running in_). Stay, I offer bail. For God's sake, Tell, what is the matter here? [MELCHTHAL _and_ STAUFFACHER _enter_.] LEUTH. He has contemn'd the Viceroy's sovereign power, Refusing flatly to acknowledge it. STAUFF. Has Tell done this? MELCHTHAL. Villain, you know 'tis false! LEUTH. He has not made obeisance to the cap. FÜRST. And shall for this to prison? Come, my friend, Take my security, and let him go. FRIESS. Keep your security for yourself--you'll need it. We only do our duty. Hence with him. MELCHTHAL (_to the country people_). This is too bad--shall we stand by and see Him dragged away before our very eyes? SACRIST. We are the strongest. Friends, endure it not, Our countrymen will back us to a man. FRIESS. Who dares the governor's commands? OTHER THREE PEASANTS (_running in_).