One  last  resource  remains  —  his  own  flood  sword!
Our  dearest  treasures  call  to  us  for  aid  «

Against  the  oppressor's  violence ;  we  stand
For  country,  home,  for  wives,  for  children,  here !


33.  WILLIAM  TELL  IN  WATT  FOR  GESSLER.— SdUlter.
Herb  throng  this  deep  defile  he  needs  must  paas
There  leads  no  other  road  to  Eiissnacht :  —  here
I  '11  do  it :  —  the  opportunity  is  good.
Yon  alder-tree  stands  well  for  my  oonoealment,  —


MO  fHl  BTANDiJIB  BFIAKBU

Thence  my  avengmg  shaft  will  sorely  reach  him ;
The  straitneBS  of  the  path  fbrlnds  pforsait.
Now,  Gesder,  balance  thine  aooofont  with  Heaven !
Thou  must  away  ftom  earth,  —  thy  sand  is  nm.
I  led  a  peaceiful,  inoffisnmye  life ;  —
My  bow  was  bent  on  forest  rane  akme.
And  my  pure  soul  was  free  mm  thoughts  of  iDiiider«  -
But  thou  hast  scared  me  from  my  droun  of  peace ;
The  milk  of  human  kindness  thou  hast  turned
To  rankling  poison  in  my  breast ;  and  made
Appalling  deeds  fiuniliar  to  my  soul.
He  who  could  make  his  own  c^d's  head  his  mark
Can  speed  his  arrow  to  his  foeman's  heart.
My  children  dear,  my  loved  and  faithful  wife.
Must  be  protected,  tyrant,  from  thy  ftiry !  —
When  last  I  drew  my  bow,  with  trembling  hand.
And  thou,  with  murderous  joy,  a  father  forced
To  level  at  his  child,  —  when,  all  in  vain,
Writhing  before  thee,  I  implored  thy  mercy,  —
Then,  in  the  agony  of  my  soul,  I  vowed
A  fearful  oath,  which  met  God's  ear  alone,
That  when  my  bow  next  winged  an  arrow's  fli^t.
Its  aim  should  be  thy  heart.    The  vow  I  made.
