TELL. 'Tis better, child, to have these glacier peaks Behind one's back, than evil-minded men! [They are about to pass on.] WALT. 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! WALT. Father to prison. Help! [Calling to the side scene.] This way, you men! Good people, help! They're dragging him to prison! [Rosselmann the priest and the Sacristan, with three other men, enter.] SACRIS. What's here amiss? ROSSEL. Why do you seize this man? FRIESS. He is an enemy of the King--a traitor. TELL. (seizing him with violence). A traitor, I! ROSSEL. Friend, thou art wrong. 'Tis Tell, An honest man, and worthy citizen. WALT. (descries Furst, and runs up to him). Grandfather, help; they want to seize my father! FRIESS. Away to prison! FURST (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? MELCH. Villain, you know 'tis false! LEUTH. He has not made obeisance to the cap. FURST. 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. MELCH. (to the country people). This is too bad--shall we stand by and see Him dragged away before our very eyes? SACRIS. We are the strongest. Friends, endure it not, Our countrymen will back us to a man. FRIESS. Who dares resist the governor's commands? OTHER THREE PEASANTS (running in). We'll help you. What's the matter? Down with them! [Hildegard, Mechthild and Elsbeth return.] TELL. Go, go, good people, I can help myself. Think you, had I a mind to use my strength, These pikes of theirs should daunt me? MELCH. (to Friesshardt). Only try-- Try from our midst to force him, if you dare. FURST and STAUFF. Peace, peace, friends! FRIESS. (loudly). Riot! Insurrection, ho! [Hunting horns without.] WOMEN. The Governor! FRIESS. (raising his voice). Rebellion! Mutiny! STAUFF. Roar till you burst, knave! ROSSEL. and MELCH. Will you hold your tongue? FRIESS. (calling still louder). Help, help, I say, the servants of the law! FURST. The Viceroy here! Then we shall smart for this! [Enter Gessler on horseback, with a falcon on his wrist; Rudolph der Harras, Bertha, and Rudenz, and a numerous train of armed attendants, who form a circle of lances round the whole stage.] HAR. Room for the Viceroy! GESSL. Drive the clowns apart. Why throng the people thus? Who calls for help? [General silence.]