Here on the ground I lie, I and my children. Let the wretched orphans Be trodden by thy horse into the dust! It will not be the worst that thou hast done. HARRAS. Are you mad, woman? ARMGART (_continuing with vehemence_). Many a day thou hast Trampled the Emperor's lands beneath thy feet. Oh, I am but a woman! Were I man, I'd find some better thing to do, than here Lie grovelling in the dust. [_The music of the bridal party is again heard from the top of the pass, but more softly_.] GESSLER. Where are my knaves? Drag her away, lest I forget myself, And do some deed I may repent me of. HARRAS. My lord, the servants cannot force their way; The pass is block'd up by a bridal train. GESSLER. Too mild a ruler am I to this people, Their tongues are all too bold--nor have they yet Been tamed to due submission, as they shall be. I must take order for the remedy; I will subdue this stubborn mood of theirs, This braggart spirit of freedom I will crush, I will proclaim a new law through the land; I will-- [_An arrow pierces him--he puts his hand on his heart, and is about to sink--with a feeble voice_.] Oh God, have mercy on my soul! HARRAs. My lord! my lord! Oh God! What's this? Whence came it? ARMGART (_starts up_). Dead, dead! He reels, he falls! 'Tis in his heart! HARRAS (_springs from his horse_). Horror of horrors! Heavenly powers! Sir knight, Address yourself for mercy to your God! You are a dying man. GESSLER. That shot was Tell's. [_He slides from his horse into the arms of_ RUDOLPH DER HARRAS, _who lays him down upon the beach_. TELL _appears above upon the rocks_.] TELL. Thou know'st the marksman--I, and I alone. Now are our homesteads free, and innocence From thee is safe: thou'lt be our curse no more. [TELL _disappears. People rush in_.] STUSSI. What is the matter? Tell me what has happen'd? ARMGART. The Viceroy's shot--pierced by a cross-bow bolt! PEOPLE (_running in_). Who has been shot? [_While the foremost of the marriage party are coming on the stage, the hindmost are still upon the heights. The music continues_.] HARRAS. He's bleeding fast to death. Away, for help--pursue the murderer! Unhappy man, is this to be your end? You would not listen to my warning words. STUSSI. By Heaven, his cheek is pale! Life's ebbing fast. MANY VOICES. Who did the deed? HARRAS. What! Are the people mad, That they make music to a murder? Silence! [_Music breaks off suddenly. People continue to flock in_.] Speak, if you can, my lord. Have you no charge To trust me with? [GESSLER _makes signs with his hand, which he repeats with vehemence, when he finds they are not understood_.] Where shall I take you to? To Küssnacht? What you say I can't make out. Oh, do not grow impatient! Leave all thought Of earthly things and make your peace with Heaven. [_The whole marriage party gather round the dying man_.]