A retired part of the forest.--Brooks dashing in spray over the rocks.
Enter Bertha in a hunting dress.Immediately afterwards Rudenz.
BERTH.
He follows me.Now, then, to speak my mind!
RUD.(entering hastily).
At length, dear lady, we have met alone In this wild dell, with rocks on every side, No jealous eye can watch our interview.
Now let my heart throw off this weary silence.
BERTH.
But are you sure they will not follow us?
RUD.
See, yonder goes the chase! Now, then, or never!
I must avail me of this precious chance,--Must hear my doom decided by thy lips, Though it should part me from thy side forever.
Oh, do not arm that gentle face of thine With looks so stern and harsh! Who--who am I, That dare aspire so high, as unto thee?
Fame hath not stamp'd me yet; nor may I take My place amid the courtly throng of knights, That, crown'd with glory's lustre, woo thy smiles.
Nothing have I to offer, but a heart That overflows with truth and love for thee.
BERTH.(sternly and with severity).
And dare you speak to me of love--of truth?
You, that are faithless to your nearest ties!
You, that are Austria's slave--bartered and sold To her--an alien, and your country's tyrant!
RUD.
How! This reproach from thee! Whom do I seek, On Austria's side, my own beloved, but thee?
BERTH.
Think you to find me in the traitor's ranks?
Now, as I live, I'd rather give my hand To Gessler's self, all despot though he be, Than to the Switzer who forgets his birth, And stoops to be a tyrant's servile tool.
RUD.
Oh Heaven, what words are these?
BERTH.
Say! What can lie Nearer the good man's heart than friends and kindred?
What dearer duty to a noble soul, Than to protect weak, suffering innocence, And vindicate the rights of the oppress'd?
My very soul bleeds for your countrymen.
I suffer with them, for I needs must love them;They are so gentle, yet so full of power;They draw my whole heart to them.Every day I look upon them with increased esteem.
But you, whom nature and your knightly vow, Have given them as their natural protector, Yet who desert them and abet their foes In forging shackles for your native land, You--you incense and wound me to the core.
It tries me to the utmost not to hate you.
RUD.
Is not my country's welfare all my wish?
What seek I for her, but to purchase peace 'Neath Austria's potent sceptre?
BERTH.
Bondage, rather!
You would drive Freedom from the last stronghold That yet remains for her upon the earth.
The people know their own true int'rests better:
Their simple natures are not warp'd by show.
But round your head a tangling net is wound.
RUD.
Bertha, you hate me--you despise me!
BERTH.
Nay! And if I did, 'twere better for my peace.
But to see him despised and despicable,--The man whom one might love--
RUD.
Oh Bertha! You Show me the pinnacle of heavenly bliss, Then, in a moment, hurl me to despair!
BERTH.
No, no! the noble is not all extinct Within you.It but slumbers,--I will rouse it.
It must have cost you many a fiery struggle To crush the virtues of your race within you.
But, Heaven be praised, 'tis mightier than yourself, And you are noble in your own despite!
RUD.
You trust me, then? Oh, Bertha, with thy love What might I not become!
BERTH.
Be only that For which your own high nature destin'd you.
Fill the position you were born to fill;--Stand by your people and your native land--And battle for your sacred rights!
RUD.
