REDING (after a pause).

The law it is.

ROeSSEL.

Now you are free—­this law hath made you free. 
Never shall Austria obtain by force
What she has fail’d to gain by friendly suit.

WEIL.

On with the order of the day!  Proceed!

REDING.

Confederates!  Have all gentler means been tried? 
Perchance the Emp’ror knows not of our wrongs;
It may not be his will we suffer thus
Were it not well to make one last attempt,
And lay our grievances before the throne,
Ere we unsheath the sword?  Force is at best
A fearful thing e’en in a righteous cause;
God only helps, when man can help no more.

STAUFFACHER (to KONRAD HUNN).

Here you can give us information.  Speak!

HUNN.

I was at Rheinfeld, at the Emperor’s Court,
Deputed by the Cantons to complain
Of the oppressions of these governors,
And of our liberties the charter claim
Which each new king till now has ratified. 
I found the envoys there of many a town,
From Suabia and the valley of the Rhine,
Who all received their parchments as they wish’d,
And straight went home again with merry heart. 
But me, your envoy, they to the council sent,
Where I with empty cheer was soon dismiss’d. 
“The Emperor at present was engaged;
Some other time he would attend to us!”
I turn’d away, and passing through the hall,
With heavy heart, in a recess I saw
The Grand Duke John[54] in tears, and by his side
The noble lords of Wart and Tegerfeld,
Who beckon’d me, and said, “Redress yourselves. 
Expect not justice from the Emperor. 
Does he not plunder his own brother’s child,
And keep from him his just inheritance?”
The Duke claims his maternal property,
Urging he’s now of age, and ’tis full time
That he should rule his people and estates
What is the answer made to him?  The king
Places a chaplet on his head; “Behold
The fitting ornament,” he cries, “of youth!”

MAUER.

You hear.  Expect not from the Emperor
Or right or justice!  Then redress yourselves!

REDING.

No other course is left us.  Now, advise
What plan most likely to insure success.

FUeRST.

To shake a thraldom off that we abhor,
To keep our ancient rights inviolate,
As we received them from our fathers—­this,
Not lawless innovation, is our aim. 
Let Caesar still retain what is his due;
And he that is a vassal, let him pay
The service he is sworn to faithfully.

MEYER.

I hold my land of Austria in fief.

FUeRST.

Continue, then, to pay your feudal dues.

WEIT.

I’m tenant of the lords of Rappersweil.

FUeRST.

Continue, then, to pay them rent and tithe.

ROeSSEL.

Of Zurich’s Abbess humble vassal I.