COMPACT DISC 1

OUVERTURE PREMIER ACTE La scne se passe Brglen, canton dUri ; droite se trouve la maison de Guillaume Tell ; gauche dbouche le torrent de Schchental, sur lequel un pont est jet ; une barque est attache au rivage. Des paysans entourent de verdure des cabanes destines trois nouveaux couples ; dautres se livrent divers travaux agrestes. Jemmy sessaie tirer larc ; Tell pensif et appuy sur sa bche, est arrt au milieu dun sillon. Hedwige, assise prs dun chalet, assemble les joncs dune corbeille et regarde alternativement son poux et son fils. CHUR Quel jour serein le ciel prsage ! Clbrons-le dans nos concerts ; Que les chos de ce rivage lvent nos chants dans les airs ! Que les chos,etc. Par nos travaux, rendons hommage Au crateur de lunivers. Quel jour serein, etc. PCHEUR Accours dans ma nacelle, Timide jouvencelle ; Du plaisir qui tappelle Cest ici le sjour. Je quitte le rivage ; Lisbeth, sois du voyage ; Ah ! viens, le ciel sans nuage Nous promet un beau jour, etc. TELL ( part) Il chante en son ivresse, Ses plaisirs, sa matresse ; De lennui qui moppresse, Il nest pas tourment. Quel fardeau que la vie ! Pour nous plus de patrie ! Il chante, et lHelvtie Pleure, pleure sa libert.

OVERTURE ACT ONE A landscape at Brglen, in the canton of Uri. On the right the chalet of William Tell; on the left the lower cascade of the Schchental torrent, over which there is a slender bridge. Peasants are decorating with leafy boughs three small chalets destined for three newly-wedded couples; others are busy at different kinds of field labour. Jemmy is practising with his bow and arrows; William Tell, deep in thought and leaning on his spade, stands apart. Hedwige, seated by her house, is weaving a basket and glancing alternately at her son and her husband.

PCHEUR Des fleurs ceignent sa tte ; Leur puissance secrte, Conjurant la tempte, Nous rpond du retour, etc. Et toi, lac solitaire, Tmoin dun doux mystre, Ne dis pas la terre Le secret de lamour ! etc. JEMMY, HEDWIGE Son imprudent courage Appelle le naufrage Et dfiant lorage, Ne pense quau retour, etc. Vers lcueil quon redoute, Sil suivait sa route, Un chant de mort, sans doute, Suivrait les chants damour ! etc. TELL ( part) Quel fardeau que la vie ! Pour nous plus de patrie ! Il chante et lHelvtie Pleure son dernier jour ! Il chante et lHelvtie, etc. (On entend les ranz des vaches.) CHUR On entend des montagnes Le signal du repos ; La fte des campagnes Abrge nos travaux, etc. Cette fte champtre, Quignore lil du matre, Nous fera reconnatre Le doux pays natal. (Le vieux berger Melchthal descend lentement le chemin de la montagne, appuy sur le bras de son fils Arnold et suivi de quelques Suisses. Tout le village laccueille avec enthousiasme et se presse joyeusement autour de lui.) JEMMY, HEDWIGE, PCHEUR, TELL, CHUR Salut, honneur, hommage au vertueux Melchthal ! etc.

FISHERMAN Flowers wreathe her head; their secret power, warding off the storm, assures us a safe return, etc. And you, lonely lake, witness of a sweet mystery, do not tell the land the secret of love! etc. JEMMY, HEDWIGE His foolhardy courage invites shipwreck and, defying the storm, thinks only of his return, etc. If he directed his course towards the dreaded reef, a death-song to be sure would follow the songs of love! etc. TELL (aside) How burdensome is life! We no longer have a fatherland! He sings, and Helvetia laments its last day! He sings, and Helvetia, etc. (The ranz des vaches is heard in the distance.) CHORUS From the mountains we hear the signal for rest; the country festivity cuts short our labours, etc. This rustic festival, unbeknown to the masters eye, will let us acknowledge the sweet land of our birth. (Old Melchthal, leaning on his son Arnold, comes down the hill followed by his countrymen. All the village gather happily and enthusiastically around him.)

CHORUS What a serene day the sky foretells! Let us celebrate it in our concerts; let the echoes from this shore lift our songs into the air! Let the echoes, etc. Through our labours, let us do homage to the creator of the universe. What a serene day, etc. FISHERMAN Come quickly into my little boat, shy young lass; here is the abode of the pleasure that calls you. I am leaving the shore; Lisbeth, sail with me; ah, come! The cloudless sky promises us a fine day, etc. TELL (aside) In his elation he extols his pleasures, his mistress; he is not tormented by the weariness of spirit that afflicts me. How burdensome is life! We no longer have a fatherland! He sings, and Helvetia mourns her lost freedom.
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JEMMY. HEDWIGE, FISHERMAN. TELL, CHORUS Greetings, honour, homage to the virtuous Melchthal! etc.

HEDWIGE La fte des pasteurs, selon lantique usage, De trois jeunes amants fait trois heureux poux. ARNOLD ( part) Des amants, des poux !...Ah ! quel penser massige ! (Hedwige savance vers Melchthal, pour lui demander de bnir lunion des jeunes couples.) HEDWIGE Bnis par vous. MELCHTHAL (cdant) Par moi ? HEDWIGE Vous nous bnirez tous. TELL De lge et des vertus cest le saint privilge, Et des bienfaits du ciel un prsage bien doux. MELCHTHAL Pasteurs, que vos accents sunissent, Quau loin vos trompes retentissent ! Clbrez tous en ce beau jour Le travail, lhymen et lamour... CHUR (Femmes) Aux chants joyeux qui retentissent, Que nos accents plus doux sunissent ! Clbrons aussi tour tour Le travail, lhymen et lamour !

HEDWIGE The shepherds festival, according to ancient custom, out of three young lovers makes three happy husbands. ARNOLD (aside) Lovers, husbands! Ah, what thoughts beset me! (Hedwige approaches Melchthal and asks him to bless the union of the young couples.)

HEDWIGE Blessed by you. MELCHTHAL By me? HEDWIGE You will pronounce a blessing on us all. TELL It is the sacred privilege of age and the virtues, and a very sweet portent of the favours of Heaven.

Et lcho de ces monts, Retenant nos chansons En dira les doux sons Aux forts, aux vallons ! Oui, lcho de ces monts, etc. ...Aux bois, aux vallons ! Clbrons par nos jeux Et lhymen et ses nuds, etc. Prs des torrents qui grondent, Que les cors se rpondent, etc. Clbrons, clbrons par nos jeux Et lhymen et ses nuds, etc. Prs des torrents qui grondent, Que les cors se rpondent, Par nos chants, par nos jeux Des pasteurs amoureux Clbrons les doux nuds, etc. Et volons auprs deux ! Par nos chants, etc. ...Et volons auprs deux ! (La foule se disperse.) TELL ( Melchthal) Contre les feux du jour que mon toit solitaire Vous offre un abri tutlaire ! Cest l que dans la paix ont vcu mes aeux, Que je fuis les tyrans, que je cache leurs yeux Le bonheur dtre poux, le bonheur dtre pre. (embrassant son fils) MELCHTHAL ( Arnold) Le bonheur dtre pre ! Tu lentends, mon fils, cest le suprme bien. Veux-tu tromper toujours le vu de ma vieillesse ? La fte des pasteurs par un triple lien Va consacrer, dans ce jour dallgresse, Le serment de lhymen, et ce nest pas le tien ? (Tous sloignent, sauf Arnold.) ARNOLD Le mien, dit-il, jamais le mien ! Que ne puis-je taire moi-mme

And the echo from these hills. holding back our songs will repeat their sweet sounds to the forests and valleys! Yes, the echo from these hills, etc. ... to the woods and the valleys! Let us celebrate through our games marriage and its bonds, etc. By the roaring torrents let the horns answer each other, etc. Let us celebrate through our games marriage and its bonds, etc. By the roaring torrents let the horns answer each other, through our songs and our games let us celebrate the sweet bonds of the loving shepherds, etc. and fly to them! Through our songs, etc. ... and fly to them! (The crowd departs.) TELL (to Melchthal) Let my lonely roof offer you a protective shelter against the heat of the day! It is there that my ancestors lived in peace, that I escape from the tyrants, that I conceal from their eyes the happiness of being a husband, the happiness of being a father.

MELCHTHAL Shepherds, let your voices unite, let the horns resound far and wide! All of you celebrate on this glorious day work, marriage and love... CHORUS (Women) With the joyous songs that resound let our gentler tones unite! Let us too celebrate, by turns, work, marriage and love!

(He embraces his son.) MELCHTHAL (to Arnold) The happiness of being a father! You hear him, o my son, it is the supreme blessing. Will you always disappoint the wish of my old age? The shepherds festival on this glad day through a triple bond is going to consecrate the marriage vow, and it is not yours?

ARNOLD, PCHEUR, TELL, MELCHTHAL, JEMMY, HEDWIGE, CHUR Clbrons tous en ce beau jour, Le travail, lhymen et lamour ! etc. CHUR Prs des torrents qui grondent, Que les cors se rpondent !

ARNOLD, FISHERMEN, TELL, MELCHTHAL, JEMMY, HEDWIGE, CHORUS Let us all celebrate on this glorious day work, marriage and love! etc. CHORUS By the roaring torrents let the horns answer each other!

(All leave except Arnold.) ARNOLD Mine, he says, never, never mine! Oh that I may keep to myself

De quel fatal objet tous mes sens sont pris ! Toi, dont le front aspire au diadme, Mathilde, je taime ! Je taime, et je trahis Le devoir et lhonneur, mon pre et mon pays ! Contre lavalanche homicide Ma force te servit dgide : Je te sauvai, toi, la fille des rois, Toi quune puissance perfide Destine nous donner des lois ! Ivre dun fol espoir, ma jeunesse insense A prodigu son sang pour des matres ingrats : Avoir connu sous eux la gloire des combats, Voil ma honte ! aussi, mes pleurs lont efface : Par un funeste amour ne la rappelons pas. (sons dune chasse au loin) Mais quel bruit ? Mais quel bruit ? Des tyrans qua vomis lAllemagne Le cor sonne sur la montagne. Gessler est l ; Mathilde laccompagne ; Il faut la voir encore, entendre encore sa voix ; Soyons heureux et coupable la fois ! (Arnold va pour sloigner quand il se trouve en face de Guillaume Tell qui sort de sa maison.) TELL O vas-tu ? Quel transport tagite ? Lapproche dun ami narrte point ta fuite ? ARNOLD Non, non, non ! TELL Pourquoi trembles-tu ? ARNOLD ( part) De feindre aurai-je le courage ? (haut) Sous le fardeau de lesclavage Quel grand cur, quel grand cur nest pas abattu ?

the secret of my disastrous obsession! You, whose brow aspires to the diadem, O Mathilde, I love you! I love you, and I betray duty and honour, my father and my country! Against the deadly avalanche my strength served to shield you: I saved you, you, the daughter of Kings, you whom a perfidious power destines to give us laws! Drunk with a mad hope, my insane youth has wasted its blood for ungrateful masters: to have known under them the glory of battle, that is my shame! But then, my tears have wiped it out: Let us not restore it through a fatal love. (Hunting horns are heard.) But whats this noise? The horn of the tyrants spewed out by Germany sounds on the mountain. Gessler is there; Mathilde accompanies him; I must see her again, hear her voice again; Let us at the same time be happy and guilty! (He is about to leave when he comes face to face with William Tell, who is coming out of his house.)

TELL ( part) Je comprendrais des maux que je partage : Arnold ne ma pas rpondu, Arnold ne ma pas rpondu ! ARNOLD ( part) Suis-je assez malheureux ? TELL ( part) Malheureux ? Il me cache un mystre. (haut) Pourquoi te taire ? ARNOLD Quespres-tu ? Quespres-tu ? TELL Rendre ton cur, rendre ton cur la force et la vertu... Arnold ! ARNOLD ( part) Ah ! Mathilde, idole de mon me ! Il faut donc vaincre ma flamme ? TELL ( part) Je sais lire dans son cur... ARNOLD ( part) ma patrie ! mon cur te sacrifie Et mon amour et mon bonheur ! etc. TELL ( part) Il rougit de son erreur... En servant la tyrannie Sil fut tratre sa patrie Son remords du moins expie Un moment de dshonneur. Jai su lire dans son cur... Il rougit de son erreur, En servant la tyrannie, etc. ( Arnold) Pour nous plus de crainte servile ; Soyons hommes, et nous vaincrons ! ARNOLD Et comment venger nos affronts ?

TELL (aside) I should understand woes that I share: Arnold has not answered me, Arnold has not answered me! ARNOLD (aside) Could I be more out of luck? TELL (aside) Out of luck? Hes hiding a secret from me. (aloud) Why do you remain silent? ARNOLD What are you hoping for? TELL To restore to your heart strength and virtue... Arnold! ARNOLD (aside) Ah, Mathilde, my souls idol, must I then subdue my passion? TELL (aside) I can read into his heart... ARNOLD (aside) O my fatherland! To you my heart sacrifices both my love and my happiness! etc, TELL (aside) He reddens at his error... If by serving tyranny he was a traitor to his country, at least his remorse expiates a moment of dishonour. I have been able to read into his heart... He reddens at his error, if by serving tyranny, etc. (to Arnold) For us no more servile fear; let us be men, and we shall conquer! ARNOLD And how to avenge our indignities?

TELL Where are you going? Whats troubling you so? The approach of a friend doesnt stop you? ARNOLD No, no, no! TELL Why are you trembling? ARNOLD (aside) Shall I have the courage to dissemble? (aloud) Under the burden of slavery what great heart is not cast down?

TELL Tout pouvoir injuste est fragile. ARNOLD Contre des matres trangers Quels sont nos appuis ? TELL Les dangers ; Il nen est quun pour nous, Pour eux il en est mille. ARNOLD Songe aux biens que tu perds ! TELL Quimporte ! ARNOLD Quelle gloire esprer des revers ? TELL Je ne sais trop ce que cest que la gloire, Mais je connais le poids des fers, Mais je connais le poids des fers. ARNOLD Ton esprance TELL Est la victoire : La tienne aussi, jai besoin de la croire. ARNOLD Nous serions libres ? TELL Cest mon vu. ARNOLD Mais o combattre ? TELL Dans ce lieu. ARNOLD Vaincus, quel sera notre asile ? TELL La tombe.

TELL All unjust power is weak. ARNOLD Against foreign masters what are our supports? TELL The dangers; for us there is only one, for them there are a thousand. ARNOLD Think of the blessings you lose! TELL What of it! ARNOLD Wheres the glory in hoping for reverses? TELL Im none too sure what glory is... but I do know the weight of fetters, but I do know the weight of fetters. ARNOLD Your hope TELL Is in victory: yours too, I need to believe it. ARNOLD We should be free? TELL It is my vow. ARNOLD But where do we fight? TELL Here. ARNOLD Defeated, what will be our refuge? TELL The grave.
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ARNOLD Et notre vengeur, et notre vengeur ? TELL Dieu ! ARNOLD ( part) O Mathilde, idole de mon me ! Il faut donc vaincre ma flamme ! O ma patrie ! mon cur te sacrifie Et mon amour et mon bonheur ! etc. TELL ( part) Je sais lire dans son cur. Il rougit de son erreur ; En servant la tyrannie, Sil fut tratre sa patrie, Son remords du moins expie Un moment de dshonneur ! etc. ARNOLD Du danger quand sonnera lheure, Ami, je serai prt. (Arnold va pour partir.) TELL Demeure ! ARNOLD ( part) contretemps fatal ! TELL Melchthal ! Melchthal ! (on entend encore la chasse) Quentends-je ? cest Gessler ! Quoi ! tandis quil nous brave, Voudrais-tu, volontaire esclave, Dun regard ddaigneux implorer la faveur ? ARNOLD Quel svre langage ! Pour moi cest un outrage. Je vais sur son passage Braver linsolent oppresseur. TELL Point dentreprise tmraire, Songe ton pre ; il faut le protger ; ta patrie, ta patrie : il faut la venger, il faut la venger, il faut la venger.

ARNOLD And our avenger, and our avenger? TELL God! ARNOLD (aside) O Mathilde, my souls idol! So I must subdue my passion! O my fatherland, to you my heart sacrifices both my love and my happiness! etc. TELL (aside) I can read into his heart. He reddens at his error; if, by serving tyranny, he was a traitor to his country. at least his remorse expiates a moment of dishonour! etc. ARNOLD When the hour of danger sounds, friend, I shall be ready. (Arnold is about to go.) TELL Stay! ARNOLD (aside) O fatal mischance! TELL Melchthal! Melchthal! (sound of horns, off) What do I hear? Its Gessler! What! While he still defies us would you, a willing slave, crave the favour of a scornful glance? ARNOLD What harsh words! For me theyre an insult. I am going to face the insolent oppressor on his way by. TELL No rash enterprise, think of your father, he must be protected; think of your country, it must be avenged, it must be avenged, it must be avenged.

ARNOLD ( part) Mon pre ! TELL ( part) Il hsite... ARNOLD ( part) Mon pays ! TELL ( part) Il plit ! ARNOLD ( part) Ma tendresse ! TELL ( part) Quel est donc... ARNOLD ( part) Que faire ? TELL ( part) ...ce mystre ? ARNOLD ( part) ciel, tu sais si Mathilde mest chre ! ciel, tu sais si Mathilde mest chre ! Mais la vertu je me rends, Mais la vertu je me rends. Haine, malheur, malheur nos tyrans ! (rumeur joyeuse de la fte qui approche) TELL Entends au loin, entends au loin Ces chants de lhymne ! Nattristons pas la fte des pasteurs : leurs plaisirs ne mlons pas de pleurs, Et que, du moins une journe, Un peuple chappe ses malheurs. Et que du moins, etc. ARNOLD ses regards cachons mes pleurs, Je nen dois plus qu nos malheurs. Ciel, tu sais si Mathilde mest chre, etc.

ARNOLD (aside) My father! TELL (aside) He wavers... ARNOLD (aside) My country! TELL (aside) He turns pale! ARNOLD (aside) My love! TELL (aside) What then is... ARNOLD (aside) What must I do? TELL (aside) ... all this secrecy?
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ARNOLD Mais la vertu je me rends, etc. Haine et malheur nos tyrans ! etc. (Le cortge des nouveaux maris arrive. Trois villageois pntrent dans les chalets pour y chercher les jeunes pouses. Hedwige, Jemmy et Melchthal sortent de la maison de Tell.) HEDWIGE Sur nos ttes le soleil brille Et semble sarrter au milieu de son cours, Pour voir la fte de famille. Vnrable Melchthal, honneur des anciens jours, Cest vous de bnir leurs pudiques amours. (Les trois couples savancent et sagenouillent devant le vieux Melchthal, assis sous un arc de feuillage dress par les paysans.) MELCHTHAL (aux jeunes maris) Quand le Ciel entend votre promesse Est-ce moi de la consacrer ? TELL Oui, rendre hommage la vieillesse, Mon Dieu, cest encore thonorer. TOUS (sauf Arnold) Ciel, qui du monde es la parure, Pour eux fais luire un doux augure ! Car leur tendresse est aussi pure Que ta lumire en un beau jour ! etc. ARNOLD ( part) Ils vont sunir. Quelle souffrance ! Ils vont sunir. Pour moi plus desprance ! Quels maux jendure ! fatal amour ! Car leur tendresse est aussi pure Que ta lumire en un beau jour ! etc. MELCHTHAL (aux jeunes maris) Des antiques vertus vous nous rendrez lexemple. Songez, jeunes pasteurs, Que la Suisse qui vous contemple Demande votre hymen des appuis, des vengeurs :

ARNOLD But to virtue I yield, etc. Hatred and woe to our tyrants! etc. (The procession for the three bridegrooms arrives. Three men go into the chalets which stand on-stage, to fetch the three brides. Hedwige, Jemmy and Melchthal come out from Tells house.)

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HEDWIGE Over our heads the sun shines and seems to halt in mid-course to witness the family festival. Venerable Melchthal, honour of bygone days, it is for you to bless their chaste love.

(The three couples come forward and kneel before Melchthal who is sitting in a bower of greenery which has been prepared for him.) MELCHTHAL (to the bridal couples) When Heaven hears your promise is it for me to consecrate it? TELL Yes, to do homage to old age is still, my God, to honour you. ALL (except Arnold) O sky, the worlds adornment, cause a sweet augury to shine for them! For their love is as pure as your light on a fine day! etc. ARNOLD (aside) They are going to be united. How I suffer! They are going to be united. For me no more hope! What pains I endure! fatal love! For their love is as pure as your light on a fine day! etc. MELCHTHAL (to the bridal couples) You will give back to us the example of the old virtues. Bear in mind, young shepherds, that Switzerland, which is watching you, demands from your marriage supporters, avengers;

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ARNOLD (aside) O heaven, you know how dear Mathilde is to me! O heaven, you know how dear Mathilde is to me! But to virtue I yield, but to virtue I yield. Hatred, woe, woe to our tyrants! (The sounds of festivities are heard approaching.) TELL Listen to those wedding-songs in the distance! Lets not cast a gloom over the shepherds festival: lets not mingle tears with their pleasures, and for one day at least let a people escape from its woes. And for one day at least, etc. ARNOLD Let me hide my tears from his eyes, I owe no more save to our woes. O Heaven, you know how dear Mathilde is to me, etc. TELL He will fight in our ranks, he will fight in our ranks, in our ranks. Hatred and woe to our tyrants!

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TELL Il combattra dans nos rangs, Il combattra dans nos rangs, dans nos rangs. Haine, malheur, malheur nos tyrans !

Et vous de vos enfants, fidles compagnes ! Apprenez vos fils quels furent leurs aeux Quils soient grands leur tour, Quils soient libres comme eux Quils soient lorgueil de nos montagnes. (On entend de nouveau les bruits de la chasse.) TELL Encore Gessler ! Encore Gessler ! ARNOLD ( part, quittant sans tre vu) Courons ! TELL Gessler proscrit ces vux, coutez le tyran, coutez, il vous crie quil nest plus de patrie, Que pour jamais elle est tarie, La source du sang gnreux Qui bouillonnait au cur de nos aeux. Un peuple sans vertus nenfante plus de braves ! Que lgueriez vous vos fils ? Les fers dont vos bras sont meurtris. Femmes, de votre couche exilez vos maris, Il est toujours assez desclaves. HEDWIGE Quels transports semblent tagiter ! Pour les laisser librement clater le jour est-il venu ? TELL Peut-tre ! Je ne vois plus Arnold. JEMMY Il nous quitte. TELL Il me fuit. Il me drobe en vain le trouble qui le suit. ( Hedwige) Je cours linterroger, toi, ranime les jeux.

and you out of your children, O faithful helpmates, teach your sons what kind of men their ancestors were that they may be great in their turn, that they may be free like them, that they may be the pride of our mountains. (The sound of the hunt draws nearer.)

HEDWIGE Tu me glaces de crainte et tu parles de fte !

HEDWIGE You chill me with fear and you talk of merrymaking! TELL Let it hide from the tyrants the noise of the tempest! Drown it beneath your joyful strains: it must only roar for them as it falls upon their heads! (Exit Tell.) CHORUS (dancing) Hymen, your happy day dawns for us. Your glorious day dawns for us, etc. Of the crowns that you give these happy couples are envious. With joy and tenderness their youth grows in beauty, etc. Over our heads the tempests are dumb, etc. Everything tells us Hymen, your happy day, etc. Through your flames in our souls you proclaim our hope; your rapture unceasingly joins tenderness to duty, etc. Hymen, your happy day, etc. ... these happy couples are envious.

TELL Quelle cache aux tyrans le bruit de la tempte ! touffe-la sous vos accents joyeux : Elle ne doit gronder pour eux Quen tombant sur leur tte ! (Il sloigne.) CHUR (dansant) Hymne Ta journe Fortune Luit pour nous. Ton beau jour Luit pour nous, etc. Des couronnes Que tu donnes, Ces poux Sont jaloux. Dallgresse, De tendresse, Leur jeunesse Sembellit, etc. Sur nos ttes Les temptes Sont muettes, etc. Tout nous dit Hymne, Ta journe, etc. Par tes flammes Dans nos mes Tu proclames Notre espoir ; Ton ivresse Joint sans cesse La tendresse Au devoir, etc. Hymne, Ta journe, etc. ...ces poux Sont jaloux. (Les trois maris et leurs compagnes forment un pas de six. ces danses succde le jeu de l'arc ; plusieurs tireurs s'essaient sans russir ; Jemmy, plus heureux atteint le but ds le premier coup.)

TELL Gessler again! again! ARNOLD (aside and leaving without being seen) I must run for it!
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TELL Gessler proscribes these vows. Listen to the tyrant, listen, he calls out to you that there is no longer a fatherland, that the source of the courageous blood that seethed in our ancestors hearts is forever dried up. A people without virtues no longer brings forth brave men! What would you bequeath to your sons? The fetters by which your arms are bruised. Wives, exile your husbands from your beds, there are always enough slaves. HEDWIGE What violent emotions seem to excite you! Has the day come to let them break out freely?

TELL Perhaps! I no longer see Arnold. JEMMY Hes leaving us. TELL Hes running away from me. In vain does he conceal from me the uneasiness that attends him. (to Hedwige) Im off to question him. You, start the games going again.

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(The three bridegrooms and their partners make up a dance-set for six. These dances are followed by an archery competition; several bowmen try without succeeding; Jemmy, luckier. hits the bull with his first shot.)

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Gloire, honneur au fils de Tell, Il obtient le prix de ladresse ! etc. JEMMY (courant sa mre) Ah ! Ma mre ! ma mre ! HEDWIGE moment plein divresse ! CHUR Il obtient le prix de ladresse : Cest lhritage paternel. Gloire ! Gloire ! Enfants de la nature, Le simple habit de bure Nous tient lieu de larmure Qui dfend les guerriers. Mais, au but qui lappelle Notre flche est fidle, Et lespoir avec elle Renat dans nos foyers, etc. etc.

Glory, honour to Tells son, he gains the prize for skill! etc. JEMMY (running to his mother) Ah, mother, mother! HEDWIGE O moment filled with rapture! CHORUS He gains the prize for skill: he inherits it from his father. Glory! Glory! For us, children of nature, the simple fustian garb takes the place of the armour that protects the warriors. But to the mark that summons it our arrow is true, and with it hope revives in our homes. etc. etc.

LEUTHOLD Le seul qui na jamais fait grce, Le plus cruel, le plus affreux de tous... mes amis ! sauvez-moi de ses coups ! MELCHTHAL Quas-tu fait ? LEUTHOLD Mon devoir. De toute ma famille Le ciel ne me laissa quun enfant, quune fille ; Du Gouverneur un impie soutien, Un soldat lenlevait elle mon dernier bien ! Hedwige, je suis pre et jai su la dfendre. Ma hache sur son front ne sest pas fait attendre ; Voyez-vous ce sang ? cest le sien. MELCHTHAL Il eut le courage dun pre, Mais pour lui du tyran redoutons la colre. LEUTHOLD Un refuge assur mattend sur lautre bord, (se tournant vers le pcheur) conduis-moi. PCHEUR Ce torrent, cette roche Du rivage oppos ne permet point lapproche. Affronter cet cueil cest courir la mort. LEUTHOLD Ah ! puisses-tu, barbare, ton heure dernire, Trouver Dieu sourd ton remord, Comme tu les ma prire ! TELL (revenant, part) Arnold a disparu, mes pas nont pu latteindre. CHUR DES SOLDATS (de loin) Leuthold, malheur toi ! LEUTHOLD Grand Dieu !

LEUTHOLD The only one that has never shown mercy, the cruellest, the most dreadful of all... O my friends, save me from its blows! MELCHTHAL What have you done? LEUTHOLD My duty. Out of all my family Heaven left me only one child, only one daughter; an impious supporter of the Governor, a soldier, carried her off she my last remaining blessing! Hedwige, I am a father, and I knew how to defend her. My axe was not slow to find his forehead; Do you see this blood? It is his. MELCHTHAL He had a fathers courage, but we must fear the tyrants wrath for him. LEUTHOLD A sure refuge waits for me on the other bank, (to the Fisherman) take me there. FISHERMAN This torrent, that rock allow no approach to the opposite bank. To brave this danger is to expose oneself to death. LEUTHOLD Ah, barbarian, may you in your last hour find God deaf to your remorse, as you are to my entreaty!

COMPACT DISC 2
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JEMMY Ple et tremblant, se soutenant peine, Ma mre, un ptre accourt vers nous. PCHEUR Cest le brave Leuthold ; quel malheur nous lamne ? (Leuthold apparat, pantelant, sappuyant sur une hache ensanglante.) LEUTHOLD Sauvez-moi ! Sauvez-moi ! HEDWIGE Que crains-tu ? LEUTHOLD Leur courroux. HEDWIGE Leuthold, quel pouvoir te menace ?

JEMMY Pale and trembling, hardly able to support himself, mother, a herdsman comes hurrying towards us. FISHERMAN Its the worthy Leuthold; what misfortune brings him to us? (Leuthold appears; breathless, he carries a bloodstained axe on which he supports himself.) LEUTHOLD Save me! Save me! HEDWIGE What do you fear? LEUTHOLD Their anger. HEDWIGE Leuthold, what power threatens you?

TELL (aside) Arnold has vanished. I have not been able to catch up with him. CHORUS OF SOLDIERS (in the distance) Leuthold, woe to you! LEUTHOLD Great God!

CHUR DES SOLDATS Malheur ! LEUTHOLD Jimplore ta faveur ! TELL Jentends menacer et se plaindre. LEUTHOLD Guillaume, le destin maccable, On me poursuit, je ne suis point coupable ; Je meurs pourtant si je ne fuis soudain : Pour mon salut il nest quun seul chemin. TELL Ta barque est l, pcheur, tu lentends. LEUTHOLD Cest en vain ; Comme le Gouverneur il est impitoyable. TELL Du ciel il mconnait la loi, Il te refuse ! eh bien ! suis-moi !

CHORUS OF SOLDIERS Woe! LEUTHOLD I implore your protection! TELL I hear threats and complaining. LEUTHOLD William, fate overwhelms me, I am pursued, I am not at all guilty; yet I die if I do not escape at once: there is only one way for my safety. TELL Your boat is there, fisherman, you hear him. LEUTHOLD Its useless; he is as pitiless as the Governor. TELL He disregards Heavens law, he refuses you! Well then, follow me!

CHUR DES VILLAGEOIS Dieu de bont, Dieu tout-puissant, Des oppresseurs confonds la rage ! Daigne drober au naufrage Le dfenseur de linnocent, Daigne protger le courage Du dfenseur de linnocent ! RODOLPHE De la justice voici lheure ! CHUR DES SOLDATS De la justice voici lheure ! RODOLPHE Malheur au meurtrier CHUR DES SOLDATS Malheur au meurtrier RODOLPHE Quil meure ! CHUR DES SOLDATS Quil meure ! RODOLPHE Quil meure ! CHUR DES SOLDATS Quil meure ! CHUR DES VILLAGEOIS Dieu de bont, Dieu tout-puissant, etc. (Ici on voit la barque sapprocher de la rive oppose.) JEMMY, HEDWIGE Il est sauv ! RODOLPHE Que vois-je ? rage ! CHUR DES SOLDATS Il a franchi le funeste passage. HEDWIGE De Dieu je reconnais louvrage.

CHORUS OF VILLAGERS God of goodness, God all-powerful, confound the oppressors rage! Deign to protect from shipwreck the defender of the innocent, deign to protect the courage of the defender of the innocent! RODOLPHE This is the hour of justice! CHORUS OF SOLDIERS This is the hour of justice! RODOLPHE Woe to the murderer CHORUS OF SOLDIERS Woe to the murderer RODOLPHE Let him die! CHORUS OF SOLDIERS Let him die! RODOLPHE Let him die! CHORUS OF SOLDIERS Let him die! CHORUS OF SWISS PEOPLE God of goodness, God all-powerful, etc. (The boat is seen approaching the opposite shore.)

CHUR DES SOLDATS (tout prs) Cest du sang que le meurtre exige. Malheur toi, Leuthold ! TELL ( Leuthold) Htons-nous, les voil. Adieu. HEDWIGE Tu vas prir. TELL Ah ! ne crains rien, Hedwige. Les prils sont bien grands ; (montrant le ciel) mais Dieu le conduira ! (Hedwige veut retenir son mari ; Jemmy cherche de son ct suivre son pre ; Tell les confie tous deux au vieux Melchthal, et, guidant les pas mal assurs de Leuthold, il parvient le faire entrer dans la barque linstant o les soldats vont les saisir tous deux ; la barque sloigne aussitt.)

CHORUS OF SOLDIERS (coming nearer) It is blood that the murder requires. Woe to you, Leuthold! TELL (to Leuthold) Lets make haste, there they are. Farewell. HEDWIGE You will perish. TELL Ah, never fear, Hedwige: The perils are indeed great; (pointing to the sky) but God will lead him! (Hedwige attempts to hold her husband back; Jemmy, for his part, seeks to follow his father. Tell entrusts them both to old Melchthal and, guiding Leutholds unsteady steps, succeeds in getting him into the boat just as the soldiers are about to seize them both. The boat moves off at once.)

JEMMY, HEDWIGE He is saved! RODOLPHE What do I see? O fury! CHORUS OF SOLDIERS He has made the fatal crossing. HEDWIGE I recognize Gods handiwork.

JEMMY, MELCHTHAL De Dieu je reconnais louvrage. RODOLPHE Leur joie est un nouvel outrage ; Esclaves, malheur vous tous ! JEMMY, MELCHTHAL ( part) Quelle insolence ! Pourquoi lge Ne sert-il pas mieux mon courroux ? CHUR DES VILLAGEOIS Sur nos ttes gronde lorage, loignons-nous, loignons-nous ! RODOLPHE Restez ! il est plus dun coupable ; Au meurtrier qui prta son secours ? Nommez le tratre, il y va de vos jours. JEMMY Ils vont parler... HEDWIGE Ils vont parler... JEMMY ...la terreur les accable. HEDWIGE ...la terreur les accable. RODOLPHE (faisant cerner la foule par ses soldats) Obissez, Il y va de vos jours. CHUR DES SOLDATS Il y va de vos jours. JEMMY, HEDWIGE, CHUR DES VILLAGEOISES (tombent genoux) Vierge que les chrtiens adorent. Entends nos voix, elles timplorent ; Drobe au glaive des mchants Et nos/leurs maris et nos/leurs enfants ! Vierge que les chrtiens, etc.

JEMMY, MELCHTHAL I recognize Gods handiwork. RODOLPHE Their joy is a new outrage; slaves, woe to you all! JEMMY, MELCHTHAL (aside) What insolence! Why does not my age serve my anger better? CHORUS OF VILLAGERS Over our heads the storm rumbles, lets away, lets away! RODOLPHE Stay! There is more than one guilty person. Who lent his help to the murderer? Name the traitor your lives are at stake. JEMMY Theyre going to talk...
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PCHEUR Il y va de vos jours. Ah ! craignons nos tyrans ! etc. MELCHTHAL Il y va de nos jours ! Je les vois tous tremblants ! etc. CHUR DES VILLAGEOIS Il y va de nos jours ! Ah ! craignons nos tyrans ! etc. CHUR DES SOLDATS Les vois-tu tous tremblants ? Il y va de vos jours ! Les vois-tu tous tremblants ? etc. RODOLPHE Je les vois tous tremblants. Obissez, obissez, Il y va de vos jours ! etc. MELCHTHAL Comme lui nous aurions d faire. Amis, calmez votre frayeur, Il ose agir, osez vous taire ! CHUR DES VILLAGEOIS Il ose agir, osons nous taire ! RODOLPHE Tremblez, tremblez ! nommez le tratre ! MELCHTHAL Dis au tyran que cette terre Ne porte point de dlateur. RODOLPHE Quon saisisse ce tmraire ! Quon saisisse ce tmraire Qui brave ma juste fureur. Que du ravage, Que du pillage Sur ce rivage Pse lhorreur ! Honte et misre Sont le salaire Que ma colre Lgue au malheur !

FISHERMAN Our lives are at stake. Ah, let us fear our tyrants, etc. MELCHTHAL Our lives are at stake! I see them all trembling! etc. CHORUS OF VILLAGE MEN Our lives are at stake! Ah, let us fear our tyrants! etc. CHORUS OF SOLDIERS Do you see them all trembling? Your lives are at stake! Do you see them all trembling? etc. RODOLPHE I see them all trembling. Obey, obey, Your lives are at stake! etc. MELCHTHAL We should have done as he did. Friends, calm your terror, he dared to act, do you dare to keep silent! CHORUS OF VILLAGERS He dares to act, let us dare to keep silent! RODOLPHE Tremble, tremble, name the traitor! MELCHTHAL Tell the tyrant that this soil supports no informers. RODOLPHE Seize this daring fellow! Seize this daring fellow who defies my just fury. Let the horror of devastation and pillage lie heavy upon this shore! Shame and misery are the reward that my wrath bequeaths to misfortune!

HEDWIGE Theyre going to talk... JEMMY ... terror overwhelms them. HEDWIGE ... terror overwhelms them. RODOLPHE (having the crowd rounded up by the soldiers) Obey, your lives are at stake. CHORUS OF SOLDIERS Your lives are at stake. JEMMY, HEDWIGE. CHORUS OF VILLAGE WOMEN (falling upon their knees) Virgin, whom Christians adore, hear our voices, they implore thee; protect from the evil-doers sword Our/their husbands and our/their children! Virgin, whom Christians, etc.

JEMMY Si du ravage, Si du pillage, Sur ce rivage Pse lhorreur, Vil mercenaire, Larc de mon pre Peut nous soustraire ta fureur ! JEMMY, HEDWIGE, PCHEUR, MELCHTHAL, CHUR DES VILLAGEOIS Si du ravage, Si du pillage, Sur ce rivage Pse lhorreur, Vil mercenaire, Larc de mon/son pre Peut nous soustraire ta fureur. Nous bravons ta fureur ! etc. RODOLPHE Que du ravage, Que du pillage, Sur ce rivage Pse lhorreur ! Ah ! craignez ma fureur ! oui ! etc. CHUR DES SOLDATS Que du ravage, Que du pillage, Sur ce rivage Pse lhorreur ! Honte et misre Sont le salaire Que ma colre Lgue au malheur ! RODOLPHE Que du ravage, etc. JEMMY Si du ravage, etc. JEMMY, HEDWIGE, PCHEUR, MELCHTHAL, CHUR DES VILLAGEOIS Si du ravage, Si du pillage, etc. ...nous bravons ta fureur !

JEMMY If the horror of devastation and pillage lies heavy upon this shore, vile mercenary, my fathers bow can shield us from your fury! JEMMY, HEDWIGE, FISHERMAN, MELCHTHAL, CHORUS OF VILLAGERS If the horror of devastation and pillage lies heavy upon this shore, vile mercenary, my/his fathers bow can shield us from your fury. We defy your fury! etc. RODOLPHE Let the horror of devastation and pillage lie heavy upon this shore! Ah, fear my rage! Yes! etc. CHORUS OF SOLDIERS Let the horror of devastation and pillage lie heavy upon this shore! Shame and misery are the reward that my wrath bequeaths to misfortune! RODOLPHE Let the horror, etc.
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RODOLPHE, CHUR DES SOLDATS Que du ravage, Que du pillage, etc. ...ah ! craignez ma/sa fureur ! (Les soldats semparent de Melchthal ; les Suisses cherchent le dlivrer, mais ils sont sans armes, et lon entrane violemment sous leurs yeux le vieillard quils voudraient suivre, quand une haie de hallebardes les arrte. Le rideau tombe sur ce tableau.)

RODOLPHE, CHORUS OF SOLDIERS Let the horror of devastation and pillage, etc. ... ah! fear my/his rage! (The soldiers seize old Melchthal; the Swiss try to free him, but they are without arms and the old man is dragged off violently before their eyes. They try to follow him but a wall of halberds stops them. The curtain falls upon this scene.)

DEUXIME ACTE Les hauteurs du Rutli, surplombant le Lac des Quatre-Cantons (Lac de Lucerne). On aperoit aux confins de lhorizon la cime des montagnes de Schwyz ; au bas se trouve le village de Brunnen. Des sapins touffus qui slvent des deux cts de la scne compltent la solitude. (Des piqueurs, portant des flambeaux, ouvrent la marche ; dautres dirigent la meute ; dautres arrivent avec des cerfs, des renards et des loups tus ; des dames et des seigneurs cheval, ayant le faucon au poing, et suivis de pages traversent le thtre ; enfin, des chasseurs pied font une halte et vident les gourdes dont ils sont munis.) CHUR DES CHASSEURS Quelle sauvage harmonie Au son des cors se marie ! Le cri du chamois mourant Se mle au bruit du torrent ; Lentendre exhaler sa vie Est-il un plaisir plus grand ? Des temptes la furie Na rien de plus enivrant, etc. (On entend le son dune cloche.) UN CHASSEUR Quel est ce bruit ? CHUR DES BERGERS (dans la montagne) Au sein de londe qui rayonne Le soleil, fuit, le soleil fuit ; Des monts que la neige couronne Lclat svanouit, lclat svanouit. Du village la cloche sonne,

ACT TWO The heights of Rtli, overlooking the Lake of the Four Cantons (Lake Lucerne). On the far horizon we see across the water the summits of the mountains of Schwyz: down below is the village of Brunnen. Thick fir-trees standing on each side of the stage complete the solitude. (Hunt-servants, carrying torches, open the march. Others control the hounds; still others arrive with slaughtered stags, foxes and wolves. Ladies and gentlemen on horseback, with falcons on their wrists and followed by pages, cross the stage. Lastly, huntsmen on foot come to a halt and drain the wineskins they carry.)

CHORUS OF HUNTSMEN What a wild harmony goes with the sound of the horns! The cry of the dying chamois blends with the noise of the torrent; to hear him breathe out his life is there a greater pleasure? The fury of the tempest holds nothing more intoxicating; etc. (The sound of a bell is heard.) A HUNTSMAN What is that noise? CHORUS OF SHEPHERDS (at work in the mountains) Into the midst of the shining water the sun glides down; from the snow-crowned mountains the brightness vanishes. The village bell sounds,

JEMMY If the horror, etc. JEMMY, HEDWIGE, FISHERMAN, MELCHTHAL, CHORUS OF SWISS PEOPLE If the horror of devastation and pillage, etc. ...we defy your fury!

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Cest notre retour quelle ordonne. Voici la nuit, voici la nuit. UN CHASSEUR Des ptres la voix monotone Encore, encore nous poursuit ; Du Gouverneur le cor rsonne, (avec CHUR DES CHASSEURS) Cest notre retour quil ordonne. Voici la nuit, voici la nuit ! Le cor rsonne, le cor rsonne, Voici la nuit, voici la nuit ! (Ils sortent. Mathilde entre, elle semble stre spare dessein du gros de la chasse.)

it is our return it orders. Night is here, night is here. A HUNTSMAN The monotonous voices of the herdsmen still follow us; the Governors horn sounds,
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Comme lui, tes rayons, tes rayons sont discrets, Et lcho seulement redira mes secrets, etc. (Arnold sest montr pendant les dernires mesures de la romance.) ARNOLD Ma prsence pour vous est peut-tre un outrage ? Mathilde, mes pas indiscrets Ont os jusqu vous se frayer un passage. MATHILDE On pardonne aisment les torts que lon partage, Arnold, je vous attendais. ARNOLD Ce mot o votre me respire, Je le sens trop, la piti vous linspire ; Vous plaignes mon garement ; Je vous offense en vous aimant. Que ma destine est affreuse ! MATHILDE La mienne est-elle plus heureuse ? ARNOLD Il faut parler, il faut, dans ce moment Si cruel et si doux, si dangereux peut-tre, Que la fille des rois apprenne me connatre ; Jose le dire avec un noble orgueil, Pour vous le ciel mavait fait natre. Dun prjug fatal jai mesur lcueil ; Il slve entre nous de toute sa puissance ; Je puis le respecter, mais cest en votre absence. Mathilde, ordonnez-moi de fuir loin de vos yeux, Dabandonner ma patrie et mon pre, Daller mourir sur la terre trangre, De choisir pour tombeau des bords inhabits, Prononcez sur mon sort, dites un mot. MATHILDE Restez. Oui, vous larrachez mon me Ce secret quont trahi mes yeux,

Like him your rays are discreet, and the echo alone will repeat my secrets, etc. (Arnold has appeared during the last few bars of the Romance.)

(with CHORUS OF HUNTSMEN) it is our return it orders. Night is here, night is here! The horn sounds, the horn sounds, night is here, night is here! (They go off. Enter Mathilde, who seems to have deliberately become separated from the rest of the hunting-party.) MATHILDE Theyre going away at last; I thought I recognised him; my heart did not deceive my eyes. He has followed me here, he is somewhere nearby. I tremble if he were to appear! What is this deep, mysterious feeling whose warmth I nurture, that maybe I cherish? Arnold, Arnold, is it really you, a simple inhabitant of these fields, the hope, the pride of these mountains, who captivate my thoughts and cause my terror? Ah, that I might at least admit it to myself? Melchthal, it is you whom I love; you saved my life and my gratitude excuses my love.

ARNOLD My presence here perhaps offends you? Mathilde, my indiscreet footsteps have dared to force a way through to you.

MATHILDE One easily pardons the wrongs in which one shares, Arnold, I was waiting for you. ARNOLD That answer in which your soul breathes, I feel all too strongly that pity inspires it in you; you pity my error; I offend you by loving you. How hideous is my destiny! MATHILDE Is mine any the happier? ARNOLD I must speak, I must, in this moment so cruel and so sweet so dangerous, perhaps that the daughter of kings may learn to know me; I dare to say it with a noble pride, for you Heaven called me into being. I have weighed the danger of a fatal prejudice; it rises up between us in all its power; I can respect it, but only in your absence. Mathilde, order me to flee far away out of your sight to give up my country and my father, to go and die on foreign soil, to choose for a tomb uninhabited shores, pronounce on my fate, say a word.

MATHILDE Ils sloignent enfin ; jai cru le reconnatre ; Mon cur na point tromp mes yeux. Il a suivi mes pas, il est prs de ces lieux. Je tremble !...sil allait paratre ! Quel est ce sentiment profond, mystrieux Dont je nourris lardeur, que je chris peuttre ? Arnold ! Arnold ! est-ce bien toi, Simple habitant de ces campagnes, Lespoir, lorgueil de ces montagnes, Qui charmes ma pense et causes mon effroi ? Ah ! que je puisse au moins lavouer moimme ! Melchthal, cest toi que jaime ; Tu mas sauve le jour Et ma reconnaissance excuse mon amour. Sombre fort, dsert triste et sauvage, Je vous prfre aux splendeurs des palais ; Cest sur les monts, au sjour de lorage, Que mon cur, que mon cur peut renatre la paix ; Mais lcho seulement apprendra mes secrets, etc. Toi, du berger astre doux et timide, Qui, sur mes pas, viens semant tes reflets, Ah ! sois aussi mon toile et mon guide !

Gloomy forest, sad and wild wilderness, I prefer you to the splendours of palaces; It is on the hills, in the dwelling-place of the storm, that my heart can be restored to peace; but the echo alone shall learn my secrets, etc. You, soft and shy shepherd star, who come shedding your reflections in my footsteps, ah, be also my star and my guide!

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MATHILDE Stay. Yes, you wring from my heart this secret my eyes have betrayed,

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Oui, vous larrachez, etc. Je ne puis touffer ma flamme, Dt-elle nous perdre tous deux ! etc. ARNOLD Il est donc sorti de son me Ce secret quont trahi ses yeux ! Il est donc sorti, etc. Sa flamme rpond ma flamme, Dt-elle nous perdre tous deux ! etc. ( Mathilde) Mais entre nous quelle distance, Que dobstacles de toutes parts ! MATHILDE Ah ! ne perdez pas lesprance ; Tout vous lve mes regards. ARNOLD Doux aveu ! ce tendre langage De plaisir enivre mon cur. MATHILDE Je puis laimer, tout me prsage Prs de lui des jours de bonheur. Je le chris, tout me prsage Prs de lui des jours de bonheur. Oui, je laime et tout me prsage Prs de lui des jours de bonheur ! etc. ARNOLD Doux aveu ! ce tendre langage De plaisir enivre mon cur ! etc. Tout prsage ici mon bonheur. Quels transports pour mon cur ! etc. MATHILDE Retournez aux champs de la gloire, Volez de nouveaux exploits. Retournez aux champs, etc. On sennoblit par la victoire ; Le monde approuvera mon choix. ARNOLD Mritons aux champs de la gloire Le prix qui mattend au retour : Mritons aux champs, etc. Puis-je douter de la victoire Lorsque jobis lamour ?

yes, you wring, etc. I cannot stifle my passion, even though it should destroy us both! etc. ARNOLD So it has come from her heart, this secret her eyes have betrayed! So it has come, etc. Her passion responds to mine, even though it should destroy us both! etc. (to Mathilde) But what a distance between us, what obstacles on all sides! MATHILDE Ah, do not lose hope; everything raises you in my eyes. ARNOLD Sweet admission! This tender way you speak makes my heart drunk with delight! MATHILDE I can love him, everything foretells for me days of happiness near him. I love him dearly, everything foretells for me days of happiness near him. Yes, I love him, and everything foretells for me days of happiness near him! etc. ARNOLD Sweet admission! This tender way you speak makes my heart drunk with delight! etc. Everything here foretells my happiness. What ecstasies for my heart! etc. MATHILDE Return to the fields of glory, fly on to new exploits. Return to the fields, etc. One is ennobled by victory; the world will approve my choice. ARNOLD Let me deserve on the fields of glory the prize which awaits me on my return: let me deserve, etc. Can I doubt victory when I obey love?
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MATHILDE On sennoblit par la victoire. ARNOLD Puis-je douter de la victoire Lorsque jobis lamour ? Oui MATHILDE Il est digne de mon amour, oui. Dans celle qui taime, Oui, cest lhonneur mme Qui dicte sa loi. Mathilde, constante, Ira sous ta tente Recevoir ta foi. etc. ARNOLD Dans celle que jaime, Oui, cest lhonneur mme Qui dicte sa loi. Mathilde, constante, Viendra sous ma tente Recevoir ma foi. etc. Je retourne aux champs de la gloire... MATHILDE Retournez aux champs de la gloire... ARNOLD Je vole de nouveaux exploits. MATHILDE Volez de nouveaux exploits ; On sennoblit par la victoire. ARNOLD Puis-je douter de la victoire Lorsque jobis vos lois ? Oui MATHILDE Le monde approuvera mon choix ! Oui Dans celle qui taime Oui, cest lhonneur mme, etc. ARNOLD Dans celle que jaime, Oui, cest lhonneur mme, etc. MATHILDE On vient, sparons-nous.

MATHILDE One is ennobled by victory. ARNOLD Can I doubt victory when I obey love? Yes MATHILDE He is worthy of my love, yes. In the one who loves you, yes, it is honour itself that rules. Mathilde, ever faithful, will go into your tent to receive your faith. etc. ARNOLD In the one I love yes, it is honour itself that rules. Mathilde, ever faithful, will come into my tent to receive my faith. etc. I return to the fields of glory... MATHILDE Return to the fields of glory... ARNOLD I fly on to new exploits. MATHILDE Fly on to new exploits; one is ennobled by victory. ARNOLD Can I doubt victory when I obey your rule? Yes MATHILDE The world will approve my choice! Yes in the one who loves you, yes, it is honour itself, etc. ARNOLD in the one I love, yes, it is honour itself, etc. MATHILDE Someones coming, we must part.

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ARNOLD Vous reverrai-je encore ? MATHILDE Oui, demain. ARNOLD bonheur ! MATHILDE Quand renatra laurore, Dans lantique chapelle, en prsence de Dieu, Jentendrai ton dernier Adieu. ARNOLD doux bienfait ! MATHILDE Je te quitte, on savance. ARNOLD Ciel ! Walter et Guillaume, oui, fuyez leur prsence ! (Mathilde sloigne. Tell et Walter entrent.) TELL Tu ntais pas seul en ces lieux ? ARNOLD Eh bien ? TELL Nous craignons de troubler un si doux entretien. ARNOLD Je ne minforme pas de vos desseins. WALTER Peut-tre Plus quun autre dois-tu chercher les connatre. TELL Non...quimporte Melchthal sil dserte nos rangs, Sil aspire en secret servir nos tyrans ? ARNOLD Qui te la dit ?

ARNOLD Shall I see you again? MATHILDE Yes, tomorrow. ARNOLD O joy! MATHILDE When dawn comes up again, in the old chapel, in Gods presence, I shall hear your last farewell.

TELL Ton trouble, et Mathilde et sa fuite. ARNOLD On mpie, et cest toi ? TELL Moi-mme ; ta conduite Hier jeta le soupon dans ce cur alarm. ARNOLD Mais si jaime... WALTER Grand Dieu !

TELL Your agitation, and Mathilde and her flight. ARNOLD Im being spied on, and its by you? TELL Myself; your conduct yesterday cast suspicion into my startled heart. ARNOLD But if I love... WALTER Great God! ARNOLD ... but if I am loved? Your suspicions?... TELL would be correct. ARNOLD My love? WALTER Is impious. ARNOLD Mathilde? TELL She is our enemy. WALTER She was born among our oppressors. TELL And basely Melchthal embraces her knees!

ARNOLD O sweet favour! MATHILDE I leave you, someones coming. ARNOLD Heaven! Walter and William, yes, flee from their presence! (Mathilde leaves. Tell and Walter enter.) TELL You werent alone here? ARNOLD Well? TELL We fear to disturb such a sweet conversation.

ARNOLD ...mais si je suis aim ? Tes soupons ?... TELL ...seraient vrais. ARNOLD Mon amour ? WALTER Est impie. ARNOLD Mathilde ? TELL Elle est notre ennemie. WALTER Parmi nos oppresseurs elle a reu la vie. TELL Et Melchthal lchement embrasse ses genoux ! ARNOLD Mais de quel droit votre aveugle furie ?...

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ARNOLD I do not inquire into your intentions. WALTER Perhaps more than another you should seek to know them.

ARNOLD But what right have you for your blind fury?... TELL Our rights? A word will tell you them all: do you really know what it is to love ones fatherland?

TELL No... What do they matter to Melchthal if he is deserting our ranks, if he secretly aspires to serve our tyrants? ARNOLD Who told you so?

TELL Nos droits ? un mot te les apprendra tous : Sais-tu bien ce que cest que daimer sa patrie ?

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ARNOLD Vous parlez de patrie, il nen est plus pour nous. Je quitte ce rivage Quhabitent la discorde et la haine et la peur, Dignes filles de lesclavage ; Je cours dans les combats reconqurir lhonneur. TELL Quand lHelvtie est un champ de supplices O lon moissonne ses enfants, Que de Gessler tes armes soient complices ; Combats et meurs pour nos tyrans, Combats et meurs, etc. ARNOLD Les camps rappellent mon courage ; Aux camps rgne la loyaut, Dj la gloire y marqua mon passage, Elle remplace aussi la libert. Dj la gloire, etc. WALTER Pour nous, Gessler prludant aux batailles, Dun vieillard a tranch les jours ; Cette victime attend des funrailles, Elle a des droits tes secours. Va ! cours ! elle a des droits tes secours ! etc. Dun vieillard il a tranch les jours, Il a des droits tes secours. ARNOLD Ah ! quel affreux mystre ! Un vieillard, dites-vous ? WALTER Que la Suisse rvre. ARNOLD Son nom ? WALTER Je dois le taire. TELL Parler, cest le frapper au cur.

ARNOLD You speak of fatherland, we no longer have one. I am leaving this shore inhabited by discord and hatred and fear, worthy daughters of slavery; I hasten into battles to regain my honour.

ARNOLD Mon pre !... WALTER Oui, ton pre ! Melchthal, lhonneur de nos hameaux, Ton pre, assassin par la main des bourreaux !

ARNOLD My father!... WALTER Yes, your father! Melchthal, the honour of our hamlets, your father, assassinated by the hand of executioners!

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TELL When Helvetia is a field of tortures where they harvest its children, let your arms be Gesslers accomplices, fight and die for our tyrants, fight and die for our tyrants, etc. ARNOLD The camps restore my courage; in the camps loyalty reigns, already glory has marked my passage in them, besides, it replaces freedom. Already glory, etc. WALTER On account of us Gessler, as a prelude to battles, has cut short an old mans life; this victim awaits his funeral rites, he has claims on your help. Go! run! he has claims on your help! etc. He has cut short an old mans life, he has claims on your help.

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ARNOLD Quentends-je ! crime ! hlas ! hlas ! jexpire ! Ses jours quils ont os proscrire, Je ne les ai pas dfendus ! Ses jours, etc. Mon pre, tu mas d maudire ! De remords mon cur se dchire ! ciel, ciel ! je ne te verrai plus ! TELL Il frissonne... WALTER Il chancelle, peine il respire. TELL peine il respire. ARNOLD Jexpire ! TELL, WALTER Il plit, le remords le dchire, De lamour tous les nuds sont rompus. ARNOLD Jexpire ! TELL, WALTER Son effroi remplace son dlire, Son malheur lui rendra ses vertus. Le remords le dchire, Il smeut au nom de son pre, Son cur est abattu pour jamais. Le malheur jespre lui rendra ses vertus, etc.

ARNOLD What do I hear! O crime! Alas! Alas! I die. His life that they dared to outlaw I did not protect it! His life. etc. My father, you must have cursed me! My heart is torn by remorse! O heaven, O heaven! I shall see no more!

TELL He shudders... WALTER He reels, he scarcely breathes. TELL He scarcely breathes. ARNOLD I die! TELL, WALTER He turns pale, remorse rends him, all the ties of love are broken. ARNOLD I die! TELL, WALTER His terror replaces his frenzy, his unhappiness will restore his virtues to him! Remorse rends him, he is moved at his fathers name, his heart is cast down for ever. His unhappiness I hope will restore his virtues to him, etc.

ARNOLD Ah, what a dreadful mystery! An old man, you say? WALTER Whom Switzerland reveres. ARNOLD His name? WALTER I must conceal it. TELL To speak is to strike him to the heart.

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ARNOLD Mon pre, tu mas d maudire ! De remords mon cur se dchire ! O ciel, ciel ! je ne te verrai plus ! etc. Il est donc vrai ! WALTER Jai vu le crime. ARNOLD Toi ? WALTER Jai vu se dbattre et tomber la victime. ARNOLD Grand Dieu ! que faire ? TELL Ton devoir. ARNOLD Il faut mourir ? TELL Il faut vivre ! ARNOLD Eh bien ! contre Gessler servez mon dsespoir. Dans Altdorf voulez-vous me suivre ? TELL Modre les transports o ton me se livre.

ARNOLD My father, you must have cursed me! My heart is torn by remorse! O heaven, o heaven! I shall see you no more!. etc. So it is true! WALTER I witnessed the crime. ARNOLD You? WALTER I saw the victim struggle and fall. ARNOLD Great God! What to do? TELL Your duty.
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Pour conqurir un digne sort, Ou lindpendance ou la mort ! TOUS LES TROIS Ou lindpendance ou la mort ! Embrasons-nous dun saint dlire ! La libert pour nous conspire ; Des cieux mon/ton pre nous inspire ; Vengeons-le, ne le pleurons plus. etc. Pour son pays quand il expire, Son beau destin semble nous dire : Ctait aux palmes du martyre couronner tant de vertus ! Ctait aux palmes, etc. Des cieux mon/ton pre, etc. Embrasons-nous dun saint dlire, etc. ...a couronner tant de vertus. TELL Des profondeurs du bois immense Un bruit confus semble sortir. coutons ! ARNOLD coutons ! TELL Silence ! WALTER Jentends de pas nombreux la fort retentir.

to win a worthy destiny: either independence or death! ALL THREE Either independence or death! Let us fire ourselves with a holy frenzy! Liberty conspires for us; from the heavens my/your father inspires us, let us avenge him, lets weep for him no more, etc. When he dies for his country his glorious destiny seems to tell us that it was for the palms of martyrdom to crown so many virtues! It was for the palms... etc. From the heavens my/your father, etc. Let us fire ourselves with a holy frenzy, etc. ...to crown so many virtues. TELL A confused noise seems to be coming out of the depths of the vast wood. Listen! ARNOLD Listen! TELL Silence! WALTER I hear the forest ringing with many footsteps. ARNOLD The noise draws nearer... TELL Who comes forward? MEN OF UNTERWALDEN (in the distance) Friends of the fatherland! Friends of the fatherland! TELL O joy! ARNOLD O vengeance! TELL, ARNOLD. WALTER Honour, all honour to their presence!

ARNOLD I must die? TELL You must live! ARNOLD Well then, against Gessler assist my despair. Will you follow me into Altdorf?

TELL Restrain the wild passions to which your soul gives way. WALTER Stay, and avenge at the same time your father and your country. ARNOLD Go on! TELL The night, favourable to our plans, already surrounds us with a protective darkness. You will see, in these parts that Gessler believes submissive, courageous friends rise up on all sides: they will understand your tears. Out of ploughshares they beat weapons

ARNOLD Le bruit approche... TELL Qui savance ? HOMMES DUNTERWALDEN (de loin) Amis de la patrie ! amis de la patrie !

WALTER Reste et venge la fois ton pre et ton pays. ARNOLD Achve donc ! TELL La nuit, nos desseins propice, Nous entoure dj dune ombre protectrice. Tu vas voir dans ces lieux, que Gessler croit soumis, Surgir de tous cts de gnreux amis : Ils comprendront tes larmes. Au soc de la charrue ils empruntent des armes

TELL bonheur ! ARNOLD vengeance ! TELL, ARNOLD, WALTER Honneur, honneur leur prsence !

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HOMMES DUNTERWALDEN Nous avons su braver, nous avons su franchir Les prils comme la distance ; etc. Les torrents, les forts nont pu nous retenir. Sous lescorte de la prudence Notre audace au Rutli nous a fait parvenir, etc. TELL Du canton dUnterwald, vous gnreux fils, Ce noble empressement na rien qui nous tonne. WALTER On saura limiter : (lointain appel de cor) de nos frres de Schwyz Jentends la trompe qui rsonne : De tes enfants sois fier, mon pays ! (entre des hommes de Schwyz) HOMMES DE SCHWYZ En ces temps de malheurs, Une race trangre piant nos douleurs, Nous condamne au mystre. Que ce bois solitaire Seul connaisse nos pleurs ! etc. TELL ( Arnold et Walter) On pardonne la crainte de si grands malheurs ; Mais croyez en mon esprance, Leurs curs rpondront nos curs. Honneur leur prsence ! TELL, ARNOLD, WALTER, HOMMES DUNTERWALDEN Honneur leur prsence ! WALTER Du seul canton dUri nous regrettons labsence. TELL Pour drober la trace de leurs pas, Pour mieux cacher nos saintes trames,

MEN OF UNTERWALDEN We have known how to face, we have known how to overcome the perils, as we have the distance; etc. The torrents, the forests have not been able to hold us back. Under the escort of prudence our daring has brought us through to Rtli, etc. TELL O you courageous sons of the canton of Unterwalden, this noble alacrity contains nothing to surprise us. WALTER Theyll know how to imitate it: (a distant horn call) I hear the horn of our brothers of Schwyz sounding; be proud of your children, o my country! (The men of Schwyz enter.) MEN OF SCHWYZ In these times of distress a foreign race, spying upon our griefs, condemns us to secrecy. May this lonely wood alone be aware of our tears! etc. TELL (to Arnold and Walter) The fear of such great misfortunes is pardonable; but believe in my hope, their hearts will respond to ours. Honour to their presence!

Nos frres, sur les eaux, souvrent avec leurs rames Un chemin qui ne trahit pas. WALTER De prompts effets la promesse est suivie, Nentends-tu pas ? TELL Qui vient ? HOMMES DURI (approchant) Amis de la patrie ! Amis de la patrie !

our brothers are opening over the waters with their oars a way that does not betray. WALTER The promise is followed by swift results, do you not hear? TELL Who comes? MEN OF URI (approaching) Friends of the fatherland! Friends of the fatherland! ARNOLD. TELL, WALTER, MEN OF UNTERWALDEN AND SCHWYZ Honour, all honour to the upholders of our rights!

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ARNOLD, TELL, WALTER, HOMMES DUNTERWALDEN ET DE SCHWYZ Honneur, honneur aux soutiens de nos droits ! HOMMES DURI, DE SCHWYZ ET DUNTERWALDEN Guillaume, tu le vois, Trois peuples ta voix Sauront, fiers de leurs droits, Braver un joug infme. Parle ! Parle ! et tes fiers accents Jaillissant de ton me, Soudain en traits de flamme Embraseront nos sens ! etc. Parle ! Parle ! TELL (se plaant au milieu des dputs des Trois Cantons) Lavalanche roulant du haut de nos montagnes, Lanant la mort sur nos campagnes, Renferme dans ses flancs Des maux moins dvorants Que nen sme aprs lui chaque pas des tyrans. WALTER Cest dsormais nous, cest notre courage purger ce rivage De matres dtests.

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MEN OF URI, SCHWYZ AND UNTERWALDEN William, as you see, three peoples at your call, proud of their rights, will know how to defy an infamous yoke. Speak! Speak! and your proud tones springing from your soul will suddenly in shafts of flame fire our senses! etc. Speak! Speak! TELL (placing himself in the midst of the deputies from the three cantons) The avalanche rolling down from our mountain tops, hurling death upon our fields, encloses within its flanks evils less ravenous than each pace of the tyrants sows after it.

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TELL, ARNOLD, WALTER, MEN OF UNTERWALDEN Honour to their presence! WALTER Of the canton of Uri alone do we regret the absence. TELL To conceal the trace of their footsteps, the better to hide our sacred conspiracies,

WALTER From now on its up to us, to our courage, to purge this shore of detested masters.

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HOMMES DE SCHWYZ De la guerre cest la menace ; Malgr nous la terreur nous glace. WALTER O donc est votre antique audace ? Mille ans nos aeux indompts Ont dfendu leurs vieilles liberts ; Est-ce en vous que steint leur race ? HOMMES DE SCHWYZ Malgr nous la terreur nous glace. TELL Courbs aux maux que vous avez soufferts, Si vous ne sentez plus le fardeau de vos fers, Songez du moins vos familles ; Vos pres, vos femmes, vos filles Nont plus dasile en vos foyers. WALTER Il nest plus parmi nous de toits hospitaliers. TELL Amis, contre ce joug infme En vain lhumanit rclame ; Nos oppresseurs sont triomphants. Un esclave na point de femme, Un esclave na point denfants ! DPUTS DES TROIS CANTONS Un esclave na point de femme, Un esclave na point denfants ! Cest trop souffrir, que faut-il faire ? ARNOLD (secouant tout coup son abattement) Venger le trpas de mon pre ! DPUTS DES TROIS CANTONS Melchthal ! quel crime tait le sien ? ARNOLD Son crime ? Il aimait sa patrie ! DPUTS DES TROIS CANTONS Meurtre abominable, impie !

MEN OF SCHWYZ This is the threat of war; in spite of ourselves terror paralyses us. WALTER Where then is your ancient daring? For a thousand years our unconquerable forefathers defended their ancient liberties; does their race die out in you? MEN OF SCHWYZ In spite of ourselves terror paralyses us. TELL Bowed under the wrongs you have suffered, if you no longer feel the burden of your chains, think at least of your families; your fathers, your wives, your daughters no longer have sanctuary in your homes.

TELL Soyons digne enfin du sang dont nous sortons. Dans lombre et le silence, Du glaive et de la lance Armez les trois cantons. DPUTS DES TROIS CANTONS Dans lombre et le silence, Du glaive et de la lance Armez les trois cantons. TELL Demain luira pour nous le jour de vengeance, Nous seconderez-vous ? DPUTS DES TROIS CANTONS Nen doutez pas, oui, tous. TELL Prts vaincre ? DPUTS DES TROIS CANTONS Oui, tous ! TELL Prts mourir ? DPUTS DES TROIS CANTONS Oui, tous ! TELL Que de nos mains les loyales treintes Confirment ces promesses saintes. Jurons, jurons par nos dangers... TOUS LES AUTRES Jurons, jurons par nos dangers... TELL ...Par nos malheurs, par nos anctres... TOUS LES AUTRES ...Par nos malheurs, par nos anctres... TELL ...Au Dieu des rois et des bergers...

TELL Let us at least be worthy of the blood from which we spring. In the darkness and in silence with sword and lance arm the three cantons.

DEPUTIES FROM THE THREE CANTONS In the darkness and in silence with sword and lance arm the three cantons. TELL Tomorrow for us will dawn the day of vengeance, will you help us?

DEPUTIES FROM THE THREE CANTONS Have no doubt of it, yes, all of us. TELL Ready to overcome? DEPUTIES FROM THE THREE CANTONS Yes, all of us! TELL Ready to die? DEPUTIES FROM THE THREE CANTONS Yes, all of us! TELL Let the loyal clasping of our hands confirm these sacred promises. Let us swear, let us swear by our dangers... ALL THE OTHERS Let us swear, let us swear by our dangers... TELL ... by our adversities, by our ancestors, ALL THE OTHERS ... by our adversities, by our ancestors... TELL ... to the God of kings and shepherds...

WALTER No longer are there hospitable roofs among us. TELL Friends, against this infamous yoke humanity protests in vain; our oppressors are triumphant. A slave has no wife, a slave has no children! DEPUTIES FROM ALL THREE CANTONS A slave has no wife, a slave has no children! This is to suffer too much, what must we do? ARNOLD (rousing himself suddenly from his despondency) Avenge the death of my father! DEPUTIES FROM THE THREE CANTONS Melchthal! What was his crime? ARNOLD His crime? He loved his fatherland! DEPUTIES FROM THE THREE CANTONS Abominable, impious murder!

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TOUS LES AUTRES ...Au Dieu des rois et des bergers... TELL ...De repousser dinjustes matres. TOUS LES AUTRES ...De repousser dinjustes matres. (avec TELL) Si parmi nous il est des tratres, Si parmi nous il est des tratres, Que le soleil, de son flambeau, Refuse leurs yeux la lumire, Le ciel, laccs leur lumire, Et la terre, un tombeau ! Jurons, par nos dangers, etc. Tous nous le jurons, tous nous le jurons ! ARNOLD Voici le jour ! WALTER Pour nous cest un signal dalarmes. TELL De victoire ! WALTER Quel cri doit y rpondre ? TOUS Aux armes, aux armes, aux armes !

ALL THE OTHERS ... to the God of kings and shepherds... TELL ... to resist unjust masters. ALL THE OTHERS ... to resist unjust masters. (with TELL) If among us there are traitors, if among us there are traitors, may the sun refuse to their eyes the light of his torch, Heaven refuse access to their prayer and the earth a tomb! Let us swear by our dangers, etc. We all of us swear it, we all of us swear it! ARNOLD Day is here! WALTER For us it is a signal of alarms. TELL Of victory! WALTER What cry must answer it? ALL To arms! to arms! to arms!

ARNOLD Non, je reste o menchane un terrible devoir ; Je reste pour venger mon pre. MATHILDE Quesprez-vous ? ARNOLD Cest du sang que jespre. Je renonce aux faveurs du sort, Je renonce tout ce que jaime, la gloire, vous-mme... MATHILDE moi, Melchthal ! ARNOLD Mon pre est mort ; Il est tomb sous lhomicide glaive. MATHILDE Dieu ! ARNOLD Savez-vous qui dirigea le fer ? MATHILDE Ah ! je frmis ! achve ! ARNOLD Votre effroi la nomm : Gessler ! MATHILDE Gessler ! Pour notre amour plus desprance, Quand ma vie peine commence, Pour notre amour, etc. Pour toujours, pour toujours je perds le bonheur. Oui, Melchthal, dun barbare Le forfait nous spare, Ma raison, qui sgare, A compris ta douleur. Ma raison, etc. Du sort bravant la servitude, En vain je tai donn ma foi ; Dans mon cour quelle solitude ! Tu ne seras plus prs de moi. Enfin, pour comble de misre, Un crime te prive dun pre,

ARNOLD No, I stay where a terrible duty chains me; I stay to avenge my father.

MATHILDE What are you hoping for? ARNOLD It is blood I hope for. I renounce the favours of fate, I renounce all that I love, glory, you yourself!... MATHILDE Me, Melchthal! ARNOLD My father is dead; he has fallen beneath the murderous sword. MATHILDE God! ARNOLD Do you know who directed the steel? MATHILDE Ah, I shudder! Go on! ARNOLD Your consternation has named him: Gessler! MATHILDE Gessler! All hope for our love is over when my life has scarcely begun, all hope for our love, etc. I lose my happiness for ever, for ever! Yes, Melchthal, a barbarians crime separates us, my wandering reason has understood your grief. My wandering reason, etc. Braving the servitude of fate, in vain have I given you my faith; what loneliness in my court! You will no longer be near me. Finally, to complete my misery, a crime deprives you of a father and I cannot mourn him with you,

COMPACT DISC 3
TROISIME ACTE Premire Scne Lintrieur dune vieille chapelle en ruines, attenante au Palais du Gouverneur Altdorf. MATHILDE Arnold, do nat ce dsespoir ? Est-ce l cet adieu si tendre Que jesprais entendre ? Vous partez, mais bientt nous pourrons nous revoir ? ACT THREE Scene One The interior of a ruined chapel, in the grounds of the Governors palace at Altdorf MATHILDE Arnold, whats the cause of this despair? Is that the tender farewell I was hoping to hear? You are leaving, but soon we shall be able to see each other again?

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Et je ne puis le pleurer avec toi, Et je ne puis le pleurer avec toi ! Un crime te prive, etc. Destin, malgr ta rage, Toujours ce triste cur Conservera limage De mon librateur. Destin, malgr ta rage, etc. ARNOLD Quel bruit arrive mon oreille ? Des chants ! Des cris ! MATHILDE Gessler sveille. ARNOLD Le jour le rend ses forfaits. MATHILDE Hlas ! dune fte guerrire Ces chants annoncent les apprts. Du Gouverneur fuis le palais, Du Gouverneur fuis le palais, Toujours sa joie est meurtrire ; Fuis, si jamais, si jamais je te fus chre ! ARNOLD Moi, fuir ! Moi, fuir ! MATHILDE Sur la rive trangre Si je ne puis ta misre Offrir mes soins consolateurs, Mon me te suit tout entire, Elle est fidle tes malheurs. Mon me te suit, etc. ARNOLD Ces chants, ces chants touffent ta prire, Leur joie insulte mes douleurs ! Les entends-tu ? Les entends-tu ? MATHILDE Ah ! prends piti de mes pleurs ! Fuis, si jamais, si jamais je te fus chre ! ARNOLD Moi, fuir ! Moi, fuir !

and I cannot mourn him with you! A crime deprives you, etc. Destiny, despite your rage, this sad heart will always preserve the image of my liberator. Destiny, despite your rage, etc.

MATHILDE Sur la rive trangre, etc. Et songe ARNOLD Je songe mon pre ! MATHILDE En renonant nos amours, Cest lui donner plus que nos jours, Adieu, Melchthal ! Adieu, Melchthal ! Adieu, cest pour toujours ! Ah songe ARNOLD Je songe mon pre ! MATHILDE En renonant nos amours, etc. ...cest pour toujours ! ARNOLD En renonant mes amours, etc. ...cest pour toujours ! En renonant mes amours, Cest lui donner plus que mes jours, Adieu, Mathilde ! Adieu, cest pour toujours !

MATHILDE If upon the foreign shore, etc. And think ARNOLD I think of my father! MATHILDE By renouncing our love we give him more than our lives. Farewell, Melchthal! Farewell, Melchthal! Farewell, it is for ever! Ah, think ARNOLD I think of my father! MATHILDE By renouncing our love, etc. ...it is for ever! ARNOLD By renouncing my love, etc. ...it is for ever! By renouncing my love I give him more than my life. Farewell, Mathilde! Farewell, it is for ever!

ARNOLD What noise reaches my ear? Singing! Shouts! MATHILDE Gessler rouses himself. ARNOLD Daylight returns him to his crimes. MATHILDE Alas, these songs announce the preparations for a warlike festival. Flee from the Governors palace, flee from the Governors palace, his joy is always deadly; flee, if ever I was dear to you! ARNOLD I, flee! I, flee! MATHILDE If upon the foreign shore I cannot offer to your misery my consoling attentions, my soul follows you completely, it is faithful to your misfortunes. My soul follows you, etc. ARNOLD These songs drown your prayer! Their joy insults my griefs! Do you hear them? Do you hear them?
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Deuxime Scne Grande place dAltdorf, o lon fait des prparatifs de fte. On voit et l des pommiers et des tilleuls. Le chteau fort de Gessler est au fond. Des ouvriers sont occups lever une estrade o doit se placer la Cour ; dautres plantent, vers le fond du thtre, un trophe compos des armes du Gouverneur et surmont de son chapeau. CHUR DES HOMMES Gloire au pouvoir suprme ! Gloire au pouvoir suprme ! Gloire ! Crainte Gessler, qui dispense ses lois ! Crainte ! Oui, oui, cest lEmpereur mme Qui lance lanathme Par sa terrible voix !

Scene Two The main square in Altdorf, where preparations are in hand for a festival. Here and there stand apple and lime trees. Gesslers castle is in the background. Workmen are busy putting up a platform where the Court are to take their seats; others are setting up, towards the back of the stage, a trophy composed of the Governors arms and surmounted by his hat. CHORUS OF MEN Glory to the supreme power! Glory to the supreme power! Glory! Awe to Gessler, who dispenses its laws! Awe! Yes, yes, it is the Emperor himself who hurls anathema through his terrible voice!

MATHILDE Ah, take pity on my tears! Flee, if ever I was dear to you! ARNOLD I, flee! I, flee!

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Oui, oui, cest lEmpereur mme, etc. Gloire au pouvoir suprme, etc. CHUR DES FEMMES Paix au pouvoir quon aime ! De Mathilde esprons les lois ! Quest-il besoin, quest il besoin dun diadme ? Lamour est un pouvoir suprme, gal celui des rois. CHUR Gloire au pouvoir suprme, etc. GESSLER Vainement dans son insolence Le peuple brave ma vengeance, Il doit se soumettre ma loi, Il doit se soumettre ma loi. (montrant le trophe) Devant ce signe de puissance Que chacun se courbe en silence, Comme il sincline devant moi, Comme il sincline devant moi ! Que chacun, etc. (On fait passer les habitants par groupe, et on les force sincliner devant le trophe.) CHUR DES HOMMES Gloire au pouvoir suprme, etc. CHUR DES FEMMES Paix au pouvoir quon aime, etc. CHUR Gloire au pouvoir suprme, etc. GESSLER (plac sur lestrade) Que lempire germain de votre obissance Reoive le gage aujourdhui ! Depuis un sicle, sa puissance Daigne votre faiblesse accorder un appui. pareil jour, nos droits, scells par la victoire, Stendirent sur vos aeux. Dun jour si glorieux Par vos chants, par vos jeux Clbrez la mmoire, Je le veux !

Yes, yes, it is the Emperor himself, etc. Glory to the supreme power, etc. CHORUS OF WOMEN Peace to the power we love! Let us hope for Mathildes laws! What need is there for a diadem? Love is a supreme power, equal to that of kings.

(Ici commence la fte. Un des lieutenants de Gessler fait entrer par la force des Tyroliens et des Tyroliennes qui dansent au son des voix seulement.) TYROLIENNES Toi que loiseau ne suivrait pas, Sur nos accords rgle tes pas ! Dans nos campagnes Les fils des montagnes leurs compagnes Apprendront tes pas. Toi que loiseau ne suivrait pas, Sur nos accords rgle tes pas ! Toi qui nes pas De ces climats, Vers nos frimas Tu reviendras. Dans nos campagnes Les fils des montagnes leurs compagnes Apprendront tes pas. TYROLIENS nos chants viens mler tes pas ! trangre Si lgre, Veux-tu plaire ? Ah ! ne fuis pas. Fleur nouvelle Est moins belle Quand prs delle Vont tes pas. Dans nos campagnes Les fils des montagnes leurs compagnes Apprendront tes pas. Fleur nouvelle Est prs delle Ple et sans appas. nos chants viens mler tes pas ! trangre Si lgre, etc. (Ils dansent.) TYROLIENNES Toi que loiseau, etc. TYROLIENS nos chants, etc.

(Here the festivities begin. One of Gesslers lieutenants has had brought in forcibly some Tyrolean men and girls who dance to the sound of voices only.) GIRLS You whom the bird would not follow, fit your steps to our tunes! In our fields the sons of the mountains to their partners will teach your steps. You whom the bird would not follow, fit your steps to our tunes! You who are not of these climes, to our frosts you will return. In our fields the sons of the mountains to their partners will teach your steps. MEN Come blend your steps with our songs! Stranger so fleet, do you wish to please? Ah, do not run away! The fresh flower is less beautiful when your steps go near it. In our fields the sons of the mountains to their partners will teach your steps. The fresh flower compared with her is pale and without attractions. Come blend your steps with our songs! Stranger so fleet, etc. (They dance.) GIRLS You whom the bird, etc. MEN Come blend your songs, etc.

CHORUS Glory to the supreme power, etc. GESSLER Vainly in their insolence do the people defy my vengeance, they must submit to my rule, they must submit to my rule. (pointing to the trophy) Before this sign of power let everyone bow down in silence, as he bows before me, as he bows before me! Let everyone, etc. (During the following the people are made to pass by in groups, and forced to bow before the trophy.) CHORUS OF MEN Glory to the supreme power, etc. CHORUS OF WOMEN Peace to the power we love, etc. CHORUS Glory to the supreme power, etc. GESSLER (standing on the raised platform) Let the German Empire today receive the pledge of your obedience! For a century now its power has deigned to grant a support to your weakness. On that day, our rights, sealed by victory, were extended over your ancestors. Through your songs and your games celebrate the memory of such a glorious day, I will it!

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(Les soldats de Gessler contraignent des femmes suisses danser avec eux, les habitants tmoignent par leurs gestes de leur indignation ; la fin de la danse tout le monde se prosterne devant le trophe. Des soldats entranent sur lavant-scne Tell et son fils, quils ont remarqus debout au milieu de la scne.) RODOLPHE Audacieux, incline-toi ! TELL Tu peux, tarmant de sa faiblesse, Avilir ce peuple, mais moi, Je reconnais point la loi Qui me prescrit une bassesse. RODOLPHE Misrable ! CHUR DES HOMMES SUISSES moment deffroi ! Pour lui nous avons tout craindre ! RODOLPHE Gouverneur, on brave ta loi. GESSLER Quel tmraire ose lenfreindre ? RODOLPHE Il est debout devant toi. TELL Debout, jhonore la puissance, Quand dun honteux servage elle nous affranchit, Mais de mon front lindpendance Devant Dieu seul flchit. GESSLER Tratre, obis ou tremble ! Ma voix et les prils te menacent ensemble ; Vois ces armes, vois ces soldats. TELL Jcoute, je regarde et ne te comprends pas.

(Gesslers soldiers force the Swiss women to dance with them: the people show by their gestures their indignation at this violence. At the conclusion of the dance they all prostrate themselves before the trophy. Some soldiers drag forward Tell and his son, whom they have noticed still standing in the middle of the scene.)

GESSLER Lesclave rebelle son matre Ne frmit pas en prvoyant son sort ? TELL Serais-je devant toi, si je craignais la mort ? RODOLPHE Tant daudace, Seigneur, me le fait reconnatre ; Cest Guillaume Tell, cest ce tratre Qui ravit nos coups Leuthold le meurtrier. GESSLER Saisissez-le, saisissez-le ! SOLDATS (hsitant) Cest l cet archer redoutable, Cest l cet intrpide nautonier. GESSLER Point de piti coupable ; Cest l mon prisonnier. TELL Puisse-t-il tre le dernier ! Puisse-t-il tre le dernier ! GESSLER Tant dorgueil me lasse, La foudre samasse, Sur toi quelle passe Et tu flchiras ! RODOLPHE Quel excs daudace ! Il brave, il menace, Allons, point de grce, Dsarmons son bras. GESSLER Quel excs daudace ! Tant dorgueil me lasse, Non, point de grce, Dsarmons son bras. TELL Mortelle disgrce ! (bas, son fils) Espoir de ma race,

GESSLER The slave in revolt against his master does not tremble as he foresees his fate? TELL Should I be before you, if I feared death? RODOLPHE Such audacity, my lord, makes me recognise him; this is William Tell, this is that traitor who rescued the murderer Leuthold from our blows. GESSLER Seize him, seize him! SOLDIERS (hesitating) Thats that redoubtable archer, thats that intrepid boatman. GESSLER No criminal pity; that is my prisoner. TELL May he be the last! May he be the last! GESSLER Such arrogance wearies me, The thunder gathers, let it pass over you and you will submit! RODOLPHE What excess of audacity! He defies, he threatens, come, no mercy, lets disarm him. GESSLER What excess of audacity! Such arrogance wearies me. No, no mercy, lets disarm him. TELL Mortal disgrace! (quietly to his son) Hope of my line,

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RODOLPHE Insolent fellow, bow! TELL Taking your strength from their weakness you can degrade this people, but I, I do not recognise the law that prescribes for me a base action.
13

RODOLPHE Villain! CHORUS OF SWISS MEN O moment of terror! For him we have everything to fear! RODOLPHE Governor, your law is being defied. GESSLER What rash fellow dares to infringe it? RODOLPHE He is standing before you. TELL Standing, I honour power when it frees us from a shameful slavery, but the independence of my brow bends before God alone.

GESSLER Traitor, obey or tremble! My voice and the perils threaten you together; see these arms, see these soldiers. TELL I listen, I look, and I do not understand you.

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 toi que jembrasse, Porte au loin, porte au loin tes pas ! Espoir de ma race, etc. GESSLER Vois, la peur le glace, Vois, la peur le glace, Il craint le trpas, Il craint le trpas, etc. Oui ! oui ! JEMMY Que ta peur sefface, Cest ici ma place, Laisse-moi par grce Mourir dans tes bras ! Ah ! laisse-moi, etc. RODOLPHE Pour lui point de grce, Il court au trpas, Oui ! Oui ! GESSLER Tant dorgueil me lasse, La foudre samasse, etc. TELL toi que jembrasse, Porte au loin tes pas !, etc. RODOLPHE Quel excs daudace ! Il brave, il menace, Dsarmons son bras, Allons, dsarmons son bras, etc. JEMMY Que ta peur, que ta peur sefface, Cest ici, cest ici ma place, etc. SOLDATS Quel excs daudace ! Dsarmons son bras, etc. (On retire des mains de Tell son arbalte et son carquois.)

o you whom I embrace, away with you, far away from here! Hope of my line, etc. GESSLER See, fear strikes him, see, fear strikes him, hes afraid of death, hes afraid of death, etc. Yes! Yes! JEMMY Let your fear vanish, my place is here, for mercys sake let me die in your arms! Ah, let me, etc. RODOLPHE No mercy for him, he goes quickly to his death, yes, yes! GESSLER Such arrogance wearies me, the thunder gathers, etc. TELL O you whom I embrace, away with you from here! RODOLPHE What excess of audacity! He defies, he threatens, lets disarm him, come, lets disarm him, etc. JEMMY Let your fear vanish, my place is here, etc. SOLDIERS What excess of audacity! Lets disarm him, etc. (Tells crossbow and quiver are taken from him.)

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TELL (bas, Jemmy) Rejoins ta mre, je lordonne, Quaux sommets de nos monts la flamme brille et donne Aux trois cantons le signal des combats ! GESSLER (retenant lenfant) Arrte, ( part) leur tendresse claire ma vengeance ( Tell) Rponds, toi qui moses braver, Cest ton enfant ? TELL Le seul. GESSLER Tu voudrais le sauver ? TELL Le saveur ? lui ? quel est son crime ? GESSLER Sa naissance, Tes discours, tes projets, ta coupable insolence. TELL Moi seul je tai brav, cest moi quil faut punir. GESSLER Sa grce est dans tes mains, et tu peux lobtenir. Pour un habile archer partout on te renomme. ( Rodolphe, en dtachant une pomme dun arbre voisin) Sur la tte du fils quon place cette pomme. ( Tell) Tu vas dun trait certain lenlever mes yeux ; Ou vous prirez tous les deux. TELL Que dis-tu ? GESSLER Je le veux.

TELL (in a low voice, to Jemmy) Rejoin your mother, I order it, let the fire blaze out on our hill-tops and give the three cantons the signal for battle! GESSLER (holding the boy back) Stop! (aside) their tenderness gives a lead to my vengeance (to Tell) answer, you who dare to defy me, is this your child? TELL The only one. GESSLER You want to save him? TELL To save him? Him? What is his crime? GESSLER His parentage, your speeches, your schemings, your culpable insolence. TELL I alone have defied you, it is I who must be punished. GESSLER His pardon is in your hands, and you can obtain it. You are celebrated everywhere as a skilful archer. (to Rodolphe, as he picks an apple off a nearby tree) Have this apple placed upon the sons head. (to Tell) With one sure arrow you will lift it off before my eyes; or you will both of you perish.

TELL What are you saying? GESSLER I will have it.

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TELL Quel horrible dcret ! sur mon fils ! je mgare Tu pourrais ordonner, barbare ! Non, le crime est trop grand. GESSLER Obis. TELL Ah ! tu nas pas denfant ! Il est un Dieu, Gessler ! GESSLER Un matre. TELL (montrant le ciel) Il nous entend ! GESSLER Cest trop tarder, cde sur lheure. TELL Je ne le puis. GESSLER Que son fils meure ! TELL Arrte ! Abominable loi ! Tu triomphes de ma faiblesse ; Le pril de Jemmy mimpose une bassesse, Gessler ; et je flchis le genou devant toi. (Il sagenouille.) GESSLER Voil cet archer redoutable, Voil cet intrpide nautonier ! La peur latteint, un mot laccable. TELL (se relevant) Ce chtiment du moins est quitable ; Tu me punis davoir pu moublier.

TELL What a dreadful decree Im all confusion you could order upon my son, you barbarian! No, the crime is too great.

JEMMY Donne ta main, donne ta main, interroge mon cur ; Sous ta flche il battra sans peur. TELL Je te bnis en rpandant des larmes, Et je reprends ma force sur ton sein. Le calme de ton cur a raffermi ma main. Plus de faiblesse, plus dalarmes ; Quon me rende mes armes : Je suis Guillaume Tell enfin ! (On rend Tell son arbalte et son carquois quil vide terre. Il choisit deux traits et en cache un sous ses vtements.) GESSLER Quon attache lenfant ! ( ce moment, on voit un des pages de Mathilde quitter la scne et se diriger, en courant, vers le chteau.) JEMMY Mattacher ? quelle injure ! Non, non, libre au moins je mourrai. Jexpose au coup fatal ma tte sans murmure, Et sans plir je lattendrai. CHUR DES SUISSES Quoi ! les accents de linnocence Ne dsarment pas sa vengeance ? JEMMY (en voyant son pre prparer ses armes) Courage, mon pre ! TELL sa voix Ma main laisse chapper mes armes, Mes yeux sont obscurcis de dangereuses larmes... ( Gessler) Mon fils ! mon fils ! que je lembrasse une dernire fois. (Gessler fait un signe dacquiescement, et Jemmy court vers son pre.) ( Jemmy) Sois immobile, et vers la terre Incline un genou suppliant. Invoque Dieu, invoque Dieu, cest lui seul, mon enfant,

JEMMY Put out your hand, examine my heart: under your arrow it will beat fearlessly.

GESSLER Obey. TELL Ah! You have no child! There is a God, Gessler! GESSLER A master. TELL (pointing to the sky) He hears us! GESSLER This is to dally too long, yield instantly. TELL I cannot. GESSLER Let his son die! TELL Stop! Abominable decree! You triumph over weakness; Jemmys peril imposes a base action upon me, Gessler; and I bend the knee before you. (He kneels.) GESSLER So theres that redoubtable archer, theres that intrepid boatman! Fear overtakes him, a word crushes him. TELL (rising to his feet again) This punishment at least is just; you punish me for having been able to forget myself. JEMMY Father, think of your skill. TELL Ah, I fear all from my tenderness.

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TELL Shedding tears, I bless you and I recover my strength on your breast. The calm in your heart has steadied my hand. No more weakness, no more alarms; give me back my weapons: I am William Tell at last! (Tells bow and quiver are given back to him; bending low, he selects two bolts, one of which he conceals in his garments.) GESSLER Tie up the child! (At this moment one of Mathildes pages is seen leaving the stage and running off towards the castle.) JEMMY Tie me up? What an insult! No, no, free at least will I die. I expose my head to the fatal shot without murmur, and I shall await it without blanching. CHORUS OF SWISS PEOPLE What! The accents of innocence do not disarm his vengeance? JEMMY (as he sees his father getting ready his weapons) Courage, father! TELL At the sound of his voice my hand lets slip my weapons, my eyes are clouded by dangerous tears... (to Gessler) My son! My son! let me embrace him one last time. (Gessler nods assent and Jemmy runs towards his father.) (to Jemmy) Stay quite still, and bend an imploring knee to the ground. Call upon God, call upon God, it is He alone, my child,

JEMMY Mon pre, songe ton adresse. TELL Ah, je crains tout de ma tendresse.

16

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Qui dans le fils peut pargner le pre. Demeure ainsi, mais regarde les cieux, Demeure ainsi, mais regarde les cieux. En menaant cette tte si chre, Cette pointe dacier peut effrayer tes yeux. Le moindre mouvement, le moindre mouvement... Jemmy, Jemmy, songe ta mre ! Elle nous attend tous les deux ! Jemmy, Jemmy, songe ta mre, etc. (Jemmy regagne le poteau avec rapidit ; Tell parcourt dun il morne toute lenceinte. Lorsque son regard sarrte sur Gessler, il porte la main la place o la seconde flche est cache ; il vise enfin, tire, et soudain la pomme est loin de lenfant.) CHUR DES SUISSES Victoire ! victoire ! JEMMY Mon pre ! CHUR DES SUISSES Sa vie est sauve ! TELL Ciel ! GESSLER Quoi ! la pomme enleve ! CHUR DES SUISSES La pomme est enleve, Guillaume est triomphant ! GESSLER fureur ! CHUR DES SUISSES bonheur ! GESSLER fureur ! CHUR DES SUISSES bonheur ! Victoire ! victoire ! victoire !

who through the son can save the father. Stay like that, but look up at the sky, stay like that, but look up at the sky. In threatening this beloved head this steel tip may startle your eyes. Move as little as you can, as little as you can... Jemmy, Jemmy, think of your mother! She waits for us both! Jemmy, Jemmy, think of your mother, etc. (Jemmy quickly returns to his position at the stake. Tell gazes dully round the assembly. When his eye falls on Gessler his hand unconsciously moves to the place where he has concealed the second bolt; finally, he takes aim, shoots, and the apple flies off the childs head.)

JEMMY Ma vie est sauve : Mon pre pouvait-il immoler son enfant ? TELL Je ne vois plus, je me soutiens peine ; Est-ce bien toi, mon fils ? Je succombe au bonheur. JEMMY (entrouvrant les vtements de Tell) Ah ! secourons mon pre ! GESSLER Il chappe ma haine. (apercevant la seconde flche) Que vois-je ? TELL Ah ! jai sauv mon trsor le plus cher ! GESSLER qui destinais-tu ce trait ? TELL toi, Gessler ! GESSLER Tremble ! TELL (embrassant son fils) Je nai plus peur. GESSLER Rodolphe, quon lenchane ! (Mathilde entre accompagne de ses femmes et de ses pages.) MATHILDE Quai-je appris ? quai je appris ? Sacrifice affreux ! CHUR DES SUISSES Faut-il encore trembler pour eux ? CHUR DES SOLDATS Ils doivent prir tous les deux.

JEMMY My life has been saved: could my father sacrifice his child? TELL I can no longer see, I can hardly stand up; is it really you, my son? I am overcome by happiness. JEMMY (loosening Tells clothing) Ah! Let us help my father! GESSLER He escapes from my hatred. (noticing the second bolt) What do I see? TELL Ah! I have saved my dearest treasure! GESSLER For whom did you intend this arrow? TELL For you, Gessler! GESSLER Tremble! TELL (embracing his son) Im no longer afraid. GESSLER Rodolphe, have him shackled! (Enter Mathilde with her ladies and pages.)

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CHORUS OF SWISS PEOPLE Victory! Victory! JEMMY Father! SWISS PEOPLE His life has been saved! TELL Heaven! GESSLER What! the apple shot away! SWISS PEOPLE The apple has been shot away, William is triumphant! GESSLER O fury! SWISS PEOPLE O joy! GESSLER O fury! SWISS PEOPLE O joy! Victory! victory! victory!

MATHILDE What did I hear? What did I hear? Atrocious sacrifice! SWISS PEOPLE Must we still fear for them? CHORUS OF SOLDIERS They must both of them perish.

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GESSLER Je nabrgerai point des jours si misrables, Je lai promis ; mais tous deux sont coupables Et tous deux dans les fers attendront le trpas. MATHILDE Quoi ! son fils ? un enfant ! Seigneur, seigneur, il faut mentendre. GESSLER Lordre est donn, rien ne peut le suspendre. Le fils aussi ! MATHILDE Vous ne lobtiendrez pas, non, non, non, non. Au nom du souverain, je le prends sous ma garde. Au nom du souverain, je le prends sous ma garde. Quand tout un peuple indign vous regarde, Osez, osez larracher de mes bras ! Quand tout un peuple, etc. RODOLPHE Cdez : Guillaume au moins nous reste. FEMMES DE MATHILDE Heureux secours, bont cleste ! SOLDATS Cdons, le pre au moins nous reste. CHUR DES SUISSES cher Guillaume, sort funeste ! Des fers puniront ta vertu, Des fers puniront ta vertu. RODOLPHE Ils murmurent, les entends-tu ? GESSLER Laudace du captif a pass dans leur haine. Sur les eaux, cette nuit, vers Kussnac je lentrane.

GESSLER I shall not cut short such miserable lives, I have promised it; but both are guilty and both shall await death in fetters.

GESSLER (montrant Tell) Vain effroi ! Lhabile nautonier nest-il pas avec moi ? Lhabile nautonier nest-il pas avec moi ? Au chteau-fort que le lac environne, Lattend, lattend un supplice nouveau. CHUR DES SUISSES Grce ! grce ! grce ! GESSLER Apprenez comment Gessler pardonne : Aux reptiles je labandonne, Et leur horrible faim lui rpond dun tombeau. JEMMY mon pre ! TELL Jemmy ! CHUR DES SUISSES Grce ! grce ! grce ! GESSLER Jamais ! non, non, non, jamais ! MATHILDE Barbare ! GESSLER Quand lorgueil les gare, De leur sang tre avare Cest trahir mon courroux ! etc. RODOLPHE, SOLDATS Quand lorgueil les gare, De leur sang tre avare Cest te perdre avec nous ! etc. MATHILDE Cest sa mort quil prpare, De son fils je mempare, Quil sloigne avec nous ! etc. JEMMY ( Mathilde) Quand la loi dun barbare De ses bras me spare, Je nespre quen vous ! etc.

GESSLER (pointing to Tell) Idle fear! Is not the expert boatman with me? Is not the expert boatman with me? At the castle that the lake surrounds a new torment awaits him. SWISS PEOPLE Have mercy! Have mercy! GESSLER Learn how Gessler pardons: I abandon him to the reptiles, and their dreadful hunger will answer him with a tomb. JEMMY O my father! TELL O Jemmy! SWISS PEOPLE Have mercy! Have mercy! GESSLER Never! No, no, no, never! MATHILDE Barbarian! GESSLER When arrogance misleads them, to be sparing with their blood is to betray my anger! etc. RODOLPHE, SOLDIERS When arrogance misleads them to be sparing with their blood is to dishonour yourself with us! etc. MATHILDE It is his death he prepares, I take possession of his son, let him leave with us! etc. JEMMY (to Mathilde) When a barbarians decree separates me from his arms, I trust only in you!

MATHILDE What! His son? A child! My lord, my lord, you must hear me. GESSLER The order has been given. Nothing can suspend it. The son too! MATHILDE You shall not have him, no, no, no, no. In the Sovereigns name I take him under my protection. In the Sovereigns name I take him under my protection. With a whole indignant people looking on at you, dare, dare to snatch him from my arms! With a whole indignant people, etc. RODOLPHE Give way: at least we still have William. MATHILDES LADIES Blessed assistance, celestial benevolence! SOLDIERS Lets give way, at least we still have the father. SWISS PEOPLE O dear William, dismal fate! Shackles will punish your virtue, shackles will punish your virtue. RODOLPHE They are muttering, do you hear them? GESSLER The prisoners audacity has passed into their hatred. Over the waters, tonight, I am hurrying him away to Kssnacht. RODOLPHE Over the waters! But the winds, the storm?...

18

19

RODOLPHE Sur les eaux ! mais les vents, lorage ?...

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TELL Quand ma mort se prpare Que mon fils, barbare ! Se drobe tes coups ! etc. CHUR DES SUISSES Cest sa mort quil prpare. La vertu la plus rare Va tomber sous ses coups ! etc. GESSLER Peuple, quon se retire Ou le coupable expire, ou le coupable expire. (touchant sa dague) Jen atteste ce fer ! ( ces mots succde un moment de stupeur parmi le peuple.) RODOLPHE ( mi-voix) Ils gardent le silence. SOLDATS Ils gardent le silence. CHUR DES SUISSES Assurons en silence... GESSLER, SOLDATS Ils craignent ma/sa vengeance. CHUR DES SUISSES ...Les coups de la vengeance. TELL (dune voix trs forte et secouant ses chanes) Anathme Gessler ! RODOLPHE Subir tant dinsolence, tourments de lenfer, tourments de lenfer ! JEMMY ET LE CHUR DES SUISSES (sagitant et se rapprochant) coutez la sentence : anathme Gessler ! GESSLER (montrant les Suisses) Si lun dentreux savance, (dsignant Tell) Quil tombe sous le fer.

TELL When my death is being prepared may my son, o barbarian, escape from your blows! etc. SWISS PEOPLE It is his death he prepares. The rarest of virtue will fall beneath his blows! etc. GESSLER People, draw back or the guilty man dies, or the guilty man dies. (touching his dagger) I call this sword to witness! (These words are succeeded by a moment of stupefaction among the people.) RODOLPHE (in a low voice) They stay silent. SOLDIERS They stay silent. SWISS PEOPLE Let us in silence ensure... GESSLER, SOLDIERS They fear my/his vengeance. SWISS PEOPLE ...the blows of vengeance. TELL (in a very loud voice, and clanking his chains) Anathema on Gessler! RODOLPHE To suffer such insolence, o torments of hell, o torments of hell! JEMMY AND SWISS PEOPLE (struggling and surging nearer) Hear the sentence: anathema on Gessler! GESSLER (pointing to the Swiss) If one of them steps forward, (indicating Tell) let him fall beneath the sword.

MATHILDE Ah ! fuyons Gessler ! SOLDATS Vive Gessler ! TELL, CHUR DES SUISSES Anathme Gessler ! RODOLPHE Subir tant dinsolence, etc. JEMMY ET LE CHUR DES SUISSES coutez la sentence, etc. GESSLER Si lun dentreeux savance, etc. MATHILDE Ah ! fuyons Gessler ! SOLDATS Vive Gessler ! Vive Gessler ! MATHILDE, JEMMY, TELL, CHUR DES SUISSES tant de violence... RODOLPHE, GESSLER, SOLDATS Subir tant dinsolence MATHILDE, JEMMY, TELL, CHUR DES SUISSES ...On rpond par du fer. RODOLPHE, GESSLER, SOLDATS tourments de lenfer ! MATHILDE, JEMMY, TELL Anathme Gessler ! Anathme Gessler ! etc. RODOLPHE tourments de lenfer ! tourments de lenfer ! etc. GESSLER On connatra Gessler, on connatra Gessler ! etc.

MATHILDE Ah! let us escape from Gessler! SOLDIERS Long live Gessler! TELL, SWISS PEOPLE Anathema on Gessler! RODOLPHE To suffer such insolence, etc. JEMMY AND SWISS PEOPLE Listen to the sentence, etc. GESSLER If one of them steps forward, etc. MATHILDE Ah! let us escape from Gessler! SOLDIERS Long live Gessler! Long live Gessler! MATHILDE, JEMMY, TELL, SWISS Such violence...

RODOLPHE, GESSLER, SOLDIERS To suffer such insolence MATHILDE, JEMMY, TELL, SWISS ...is answered by the sword.

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RODOLPHE, GESSLER, SOLDIERS O torments of hell! MATHILDE, JEMMY, TELL Anathema on Gessler! Anathema on Gessler! etc.

RODOLPHE O torments of hell! O torments of hell! etc.

GESSLER Theyll have Gessler to deal with! etc.

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SOLDATS Vive, vive, vive Gessler ! etc. CHUR DES SUISSES (sur la place, sur les toits, sur les arbres) Anathme Gessler ! Anathme Gessler ! etc. (Gessler, Rodolphe et les soldats souvrent un chemin travers la foule, entranant Tell. Mathilde emmne Jemmy. Les soldats chargent la foule qui se disperse dans la plus grande consternation.)

SOLDIERS Long live Gessler! etc. SWISS PEOPLE (on the square, on the roofs, up the trees) Anathema on Gessler! Anathema on Gessler! etc.

QUATRIME ACTE Premire Scne Habitation du vieux Melchthal ARNOLD (seul) Ne mabandonne pas, espoir de la vengeance ! Guillaume est dans les fers, et mon impatience Presse le moment des combats. Dans cette enceinte quel silence ! Jcoute : je nentends que le bruit de mes pas. Chassons une terreur secrte ! Entrons ! Devant le seuil, malgr moi je marrte ; Mon pre est mort, je ny rentrerai pas. Asile hrditaire, O mes yeux souvrirent au jour, Hier encore, ton abri tutlaire Offrait un pre mon amour. Jappelle en vain, douleur amre ! Jappelle en vain, douleur amre ! Jappelle, il nentend plus ma voix ! Jappelle, il nentend plus ma voix ! Murs chris quhabitait mon pre, Je viens vous voir pour la dernire fois ! Je viens vous voir, etc. Asile hrditaire, O mes yeux souvrirent au jour, Murs chris quhabitait mon pre, Je viens vous voir pour la dernire fois ! Je viens vous voir, etc. CHUR DES CONFDRS (au dehors) Vengeance ! Vengeance ! ARNOLD Quel espoir...jentends ds cris dalarmes. CONFDRS Vengeance ! Vengeance ! ARNOLD Ce sont mes compagnons, je les vois accourir. CONFDRS Guillaume est prisonnier et nous sommes sans armes ! Nous voulons tous le secourir.

ACT FOUR Scene One Old Melchthals dwelling ARNOLD (alone) Do not forsake me, hope of revenge! William is in chains and my impatience urges on the moment for battle. How silent it is in this place! I listen and I hear only the sound of my own footsteps. I must drive out a secret terror! I must go in! In spite of myself I halt upon the threshold; my father is dead, I shall not go back in there.

(Gessler, Rodolphe and the soldiers force a way through the crowd dragging Tell with them. Mathilde leaves with Jemmy. The soldiers charge the crowd which disperses in a state of the greatest anxiety.)

COMPACT DISC 4
Appendice JEMMY ( son pre) Ah ! que ton me se rassure, Le ciel, les droits de la nature Vont lui parler pour nous. Ah ! que ton me se rassure, etc. ( Gessler) Vois sa douleur, songe mon ge, Tu veux contre son fils quil dirige ses coups, Sur un enfant tu fais tomber ta rage ? Mais dans mon sein il a mis son courage, Si mme au gr de ton courroux Le trpas devient mon partage, Va, de sa main il me semblera doux, etc. ( son pre) Ah ! que ton me se rassure, Le ciel, les hommes, la nature ne sont ils pas pour nous ?, etc. Jattends lpreuve avec courage, Et je lattends tes genoux. Je limplore, je limplore avec courage, Oui, je lattends tes genoux. La mort que jenvisage Sourit mon jeune me, Jattends lpreuve avec courage, Je limplore, je limplore tes genoux. La mort que jenvisage, etc. Ah ! que ton me se rassure, etc. ...je limplore tes genoux ! Appendix JEMMY (to his father) Ah, let your soul be reassured, Heaven, the rights of nature will speak to him for us. Ah, let your soul be reassured, etc. (to Gessler) See his grief, think of my age. You require him to direct his shots against his son, you cause your anger to fall upon a child? But into my breast he has put his courage. Even if at the pleasure of your wrath death becomes my lot, go on, from his hand it will seem sweet, etc. (to his father) Ah, let your soul be reassured, Heaven, men and nature, do they not side with us? etc. I await the trial with courage, and I await it at your knees. I implore it, I implore it with courage, yes, I await it at your knees. The death that I face smiles upon my young soul, I await the trial with courage, I implore it, I implore it at your knees. The death that I face, etc. Ah, let your soul be reassured, etc. ...I implore it at your knees!
3

Ancestral home where my eyes opened to the light of day, only yesterday your protective shelter offered a father to my love. I call in vain, o bitter grief! I call in vain, o bitter grief! I call, he no longer hears my voice! I call, he no longer hears my voice! Beloved walls within which my father dwelt, I come to see you for the last time! I come to see you, etc. Ancestral home where my eyes opened to the light of day, beloved walls within which my father dwelt, I come to see you for the last time! I come to see you, etc. CHORUS OF SWISS CONFEDERATES (without) Vengeance! Vengeance! ARNOLD What hope...I hear alarm-cries. CONFEDERATES Vengeance! Vengeance! ARNOLD These are my companions, I see them hurrying this way. CONFEDERATES William is a prisoner and we are without weapons! We all want to help him.

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Des armes ! des armes ! et nous saurons mourir. Des armes ! ARNOLD Ds longtemps, Guillaume et mon pre Ont prvu lheure des combats : Sous le rocher, au fond du chalet solitaire, Courez armer vos bras, courez armer vos bras ! CONFDRS Courons armer nos bras ! Courons armer nos bras ! Courons ! ARNOLD Plus de crainte inutile, Plus dalarme strile : Gessler, tu priras ! Pour toi, qui prives ma tendresse De mon pre et de ma matresse, Est-ce assez que le trpas, Est-ce assez que le trpas ? CONFDRS (en rentrant) Melchthal, que ton espoir renaisse, Melchthal, que ton espoir renaisse ! Enfin le glaive arme nos bras, etc. Melchthal, Melchthal ARNOLD Amis, amis, secondez ma vengeance. Si notre chef est dans les fers, Cest nous quappartient sa dfense ; DAltdorf les chemins sont ouverts. DAltdorf les chemins sont ouverts. Suivez moi ! suivez moi ! dun monstre perfide Trompons lesprance homicide, Trompons lesprance homicide ; Arrachons Guillaume ses coups ! Arrachons Guillaume ses coups ! CONFDRS Dun tyran cruel et perfide, Trompons lesprance homicide ! ARNOLD Aux combats !

Arms, give us arms, and we shall know how to die. Give us arms! ARNOLD William and my father long since foresaw the hour for battle: under the rock, at the back of the lonely chalet, run and arm yourselves, run and arm yourselves!

CONFDRS Cette tche est digne de nous ! Cette tche est digne de nous ! ARNOLD Aux combats ! CONFDRS Trompons lesprance homicide, Cette tche est digne de nous. Suivons-le, aux combats, Suivons-le, aux combats. ARNOLD Suivez-moi, sur mes pas, Aux combats, ou victoire ou trpas ! CONFDRS Melchthal ! Melchthal ! ARNOLD Amis, amis, secondez ma vengeance, Si notre chef est dans les fers, Cest nous quappartient sa dfense ! DAltdorf les chemins sont ouverts, DAltdorf les chemins sont ouverts, Suivez-moi. CONFDRS DAltdorf les chemins sont ouverts, Suivons-le... ARNOLD Suivez-moi ! CONFDRS Suivons-le ! ARNOLD Dun monstre perfide Trompons lesprance homicide, Arrachons Guillaume ses coups ! etc. CONFDRS Dun tyran cruel et perfide Trompons lesprance homicide, Cette tche est digne de nous ! etc. ARNOLD Sur mes pas...

CONFEDERATES This task is worthy of us! This task is worthy of us! ARNOLD Into battle! CONFEDERATES Let us cheat the murderous hope, this task is worthy of us. Let us follow him, into battle. Let us follow him, into battle. ARNOLD Follow me, after me, into battle, either victory or death! CONFEDERATES Melchthal! Melchthal! ARNOLD Friends, friends, assist my vengeance, if our leader is in fetters it is to us his defence belongs! The roads to Altdorf are open, the roads to Altdorf are open, follow me. CONFEDERATES The roads to Altdorf are open, let us follow him... ARNOLD Follow me! CONFEDERATES. Lets follow him! ARNOLD Let us cheat the murderous hope of a treacherous monster, let us wrest William from his blows! etc. CONFEDERATES Let us cheat the murderous hope of a cruel and treacherous tyrant, this task is worthy of us! etc. ARNOLD After me...

CONFEDERATES Lets run and arm ourselves! Lets run and arm ourselves! Hurry! ARNOLD No more needless fear, no more sterile alarm; Gessler, you shall perish! For you, who deprive my love of my father and my mistress, is death enough, is death enough? CONFEDERATES (returning) Melchthal, let your hope revive, Melchthal, let your hope revive! At last we have swords to arm us, etc. Melchthal, Melchthal ARNOLD Friends, friends, assist my vengeance. If our leader is in fetters it is to us his defence belongs; the roads to Altdorf are open, the roads to Altdorf are open. Follow me! Follow me! Let us cheat the murderous hope of a treacherous monster, let us cheat his murderous hope; let us wrest William from his blows! Let us wrest William from his blows! CONFEDERATES Let us cheat the murderous hope of a cruel and treacherous tyrant! ARNOLD Into battle!

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CONFDRS Sur ses pas... ARNOLD ...Aux combats... CONFDRS ...Aux combats... ARNOLD ...Ou victoire... CONFDRS ...Ou victoire... ARNOLD ...Ou trpas ! CONFDRS ...Ou trpas ! ARNOLD Trompons lesprance homicide, Arrachons Guillaume ses coups ! etc. CONFDRS Oui, cette tche est digne de nous ! Oui, dun tyran cruel et perfide Trompons lesprance homicide, Cette tche est digne de nous ! etc. ARNOLD Sur mes pas... CONFDRS Sur ses pas... ARNOLD ...Aux combats... CONFDRS ...Aux combats... ARNOLD ...Ou victoire... CONFDRS ...Ou victoire... ARNOLD ...Ou trpas !

CONFEDERATES After him... ARNOLD ...into battle... CONFEDERATES ...into battle... ARNOLD ...either victory... CONFEDERATES ...either victory... ARNOLD ...or death! CONFEDERATES ...or death! ARNOLD Let us cheat the murderous hope, let us wrest William from his blows! etc. CONFEDERATES Yes, this task is worthy of us! Yes, let us cheat the murderous hope of a cruel and treacherous tyrant, this task is worthy of us! etc. ARNOLD After me... CONFEDERATES After him... ARNOLD ...into battle... CONFEDERATES ...into battle... ARNOLD ...either victory... CONFEDERATES ...either victory... ARNOLD ...or death!

CONFDRS ...Ou trpas ! ARNOLD Trompons lesprance homicide, Arrachons, arrachons Guillaume ses coups ! Aux armes ! aux armes ! aux armes ! CONFDRS Oui, cette tche est digne de nous, Cette tche est digne de nous ! etc. Deuxime Scne Vue de rocher situ au pied de lAchsenberg ; il est baign par le Lac de Lucerne. Des nuages pais, prcurseurs de la tempte, bornent lhorizon. On dcouvre pourtant sur une haute minence la maison de Tell. Dans cette enceinte, hrisse dcueils, les flots se brisent avec furie. CHUR DES FEMMES SUISSES O vas-tu ? Ta douleur tgare, Nentends-tu pas nos ennemis ? HEDWIGE Je veux voir Gessler ; je les suis. FEMMES SUISSES Et quobtiendras-tu du barbare ? La mort, la mort ! HEDWIGE Je la dsire, je la dsire. Il triomphe, et je vis, quand je nai plus dpoux, Quand je nai plus de fils ! JEMMY Ma mre ! HEDWIGE On parle (Mathilde entre suivie de ses pages et de Jemmy.) cette voix douce et tendre JEMMY Ma mre ! HEDWIGE Je crois lentendre ! Cest lui ! cest lui !

CONFEDERATES ...or death! ARNOLD Let us cheat the murderous hope, let us wrest William from his blows! To arms! To arms! To arms!

CONFEDERATES Yes, this task is worthy of us, this task is worthy of us! etc. Scene Two A rocky shore at the foot of the Achsenberg, on the edge of Lake Lucerne. Thick clouds, harbingers of a storm, line the horizon. On a high eminence can be seen Tells cottage. In this enclosed spot, bristling with rocks, the waves are breaking with fury.

CHORUS OF SWISS WOMEN Where are you going? Your grief bewilders you, do you not hear our enemies? HEDWIGE I mean to see Gessler. I am following them. SWISS WOMEN And what will you obtain from the barbarian? Death, death! HEDWIGE I desire it, I desire it. He triumphs, and I live, when I no longer have a husband, when I no longer have a son! JEMMY Mother! HEDWIGE Someone speaks (Enter Mathilde, followed by pages and Jemmy.) that soft, loving voice JEMMY Mother! HEDWIGE I think I hear it! Its he! Its he!

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Cest mon enfant ! cest mon enfant ! bonheur ! bonheur ! JEMMY bonheur ! HEDWIGE Mais hlas ! ton pre ne suit point tes pas. JEMMY son indigne chane il saura se soustraire : (montrant Mathilde) De Mathilde esprons le secours tutlaire. HEDWIGE protectrice auguste et chre, Sur mon poux tu veilleras ! MATHILDE Je rends votre amour un fils digne de vous. Ce fils, malgr son ge, Est grand par son courage ; Et quand ma voix prsage Un terme vos douleurs, Ce nest quun juste hommage Offert vos malheurs, Offert vos malheurs. JEMMY Mathilde nos chalets... MATHILDE Je rends votre amour.. JEMMY ...promet des jours plus doux. MATHILDE ...un fils digne de vous. JEMMY Du ciel, aprs lorage, Elle est pour nous limage ; Et quand sa voix prsage Un terme nos douleurs, Lespoir prend son langage Et vient scher nos pleurs. Mathilde nos chalets Promet des jours plus doux, etc.

Its my child! Its my child! O joy! O joy! JEMMY O joy! HEDWIGE But alas, your father is not with you. JEMMY He will know how to escape from his shameful chains: (pointing to Mathilde) let us trust in Mathildes protective help. HEDWIGE O august, beloved protectress, you will watch over my husband! MATHILDE I restore to your love a son worthy of you. This son, despite his age, is a man through his courage; and when my voice foretells an end to your sufferings, it is only a just homage offered to your woes, offered to your woes. JEMMY Mathilde promises for our chalets... MATHILDE I restore to your love... JEMMY ...kinder days. MATHILDE ...a son worthy of you. JEMMY For us she is the likeness of the sky after the storm; and when her voice foretells an end to our griefs, hope borrows her language and comes to dry our tears. Mathilde promises for our chalets kinder days, etc.

MATHILDE Ce fils, ce fils malgr son ge Est grand par son courage, Ce nest pas quun hommage, etc. HEDWIGE Mathilde nos chalets Promet des jours plus doux, etc. Quoi ! dans nos maux acceptant un partage, Vous demeurez sur ce triste rivage, Vous, lornement, vous, lorgueil dune cour ? MATHILDE De Guillaume captif je veux tre lotage, Et ma prsence ici rpond de son retour. HEDWIGE Son retour ! nest-ce point une esprance vaine ? DAltdorf que ne larrachons-nous ? JEMMY Il nest plus dans Altdorf. MATHILDE Sur le lac on lentrane. HEDWIGE Sur le lac ? et dj louragan se dchane ; Partout la mort pour mon poux ! JEMMY (se remmorant soudain les paroles de son pre) Quel souvenir mclaire ! Rparons un oubli fatal ; Que de la libert brille enfin le signal ! (Il va pour partir.) HEDWIGE Quespres-tu ? JEMMY Sauver mon pre. ( part, sa mre) Tout un peuple se lve ce feu tutlaire ; Et quels que soient les bords o Gessler descendra, La vengeance ly recevra !

MATHILDE This son, this son despite his age is a man through his courage, it is only a just homage, etc. HEDWIGE Mathilde promises for our chalets kinder days, etc. What! Accepting a share in our hardships you are staying on this sad shore, you, the adornment, you, the pride of a court? MATHILDE I will be the hostage for captive William and my presence here is a security for his return. HEDWIGE His return! Isnt this a vain hope? Why do we not snatch him away out of Altdorf?

JEMMY Hes no longer in Altdorf. MATHILDE Theyre hurrying him away over the lake. HEDWIGE Over the lake? and already the hurricane unleashes itself, death for my husband everywhere? JEMMY (suddenly remembering his fathers words) What am I thinking of! Lets repair a fatal omission; let the signal for liberty shine out at last! (He turns to leave.)

HEDWIGE What are you hoping for? JEMMY To save my father. (aside, to his mother) A whole people rises up at this guiding fire; and whichever may be the shores on which Gessler descends, vengeance will meet him there!

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(Jemmy court mettre le feu la demeure de Tell, et en retire les armes de son pre. La tempte se dchane dans toute sa force.) MATHILDE Quel bruit clate sur nos ttes ? HEDWIGE Cest la mort qui savance la voix des temptes ; Guillaume prira !... (Elle sagenouille.) Toi, qui du faible es lesprance, Sauve Guillaume, Providence ! Dans leurs projets, dans leur vengeance, Trompe et confonds nos ennemis. Brise le joug qui nous opprime ; Dans loppresseur punis le crime, Sauve Guillaume ! Il meurt victime De son amour pour son pays. MATHILDE Sauve Guillaume ! Il meurt victime De son amour pour son pays, Oui, pour son pays ! MATHILDE, HEDWIGE, SUISSES Sauve Guillaume ! il meurt victime, etc. (Leuthold entre.) LEUTHOLD Suivez-moi ! suivez-moi ! Guillaume sur ces rives Par la tempte est rejet. Ses mains cessent dtre captives ; Le gouvernail cde sa volont. HEDWIGE Si Guillaume, malgr lorage, Peut approcher de ce rivage, Je rponds de sa libert. MATHILDE Courons lui ! Courons lui ! HEDWIGE, LEUTHOLD Courons lui ! (Ils slancent en direction de la berge. La tempte fait rage. La barque menant Gessler et les soldats effrays, avec Tell au gouvernail, schoue. Il saute sur le rivage et repousse la barque du pied, au milieu des vagues.)

(He runs to set Tells house on fire. He carries his weapons from it. The storm sweeps down with terrifying force.) MATHILDE What noise bursts out over our heads? HEDWIGE It is Death advancing in the voice of the tempests; William will perish!... (She kneels down.) Thou, who art the hope of the weak, save William, o Providence! In their designs, in their vengeance, outwit and confound our enemies. Break the yoke which oppresses us: punish the crime in the oppressor, save William! He dies the victim of his love for his country. MATHILDE Save William! He dies the victim of his love for his country, yes, for his country! MATHILDE, HEDWIGE, SWISS PEOPLE Save William! He dies the victim, etc. (Enter Leuthold.) LEUTHOLD Follow me! Follow me! William is being driven onto these shores by the tempest. His hands are no longer bound, the tiller yields to his will.

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HEDWIGE Je te revois ! JEMMY Mon pre ! HEDWIGE retour plein de charmes ! TELL (montrant la maison qui brle) Quelle flamme brille mes yeux ? JEMMY Au dfaut dun bcher dalarmes, Moi-mme jembrasai le toit de nos aeux. Mais du moins (lui tendant ses armes) jai sauv tes armes ! TELL (saisissant larc et la flche quon lui prsente) Gessler, tu peux venir ! (Gessler et les soldats apparaissent en haut des rochers.) SOLDATS En vain il veut nous fuir : Suivons, suivons sa trace. GESSLER Quil ne trouve sa grce Que dans le coup mortel, Quil ne trouve sa grce Que dans le coup mortel ! SOLDATS Quil ne trouve sa grce Que dans le coup mortel ! HEDWIGE Cest lui ! JEMMY, HEDWIGE, DES FEMMES Cest lui ! TELL ( sa femme et son fils) Retirez-vous : que la Suisse respire ! (tirant une flche) toi, Gessler ! (Gessler, frapp, en haut du rocher)

HEDWIGE I see you again! JEMMY Father! HEDWIGE O wondrous return! TELL (pointing to the burning house) What fire is this shining in my eyes? JEMMY For want of a signal-pyre I myself set ablaze our ancestral roof. But at least (handing him his weapons) I have saved your weapons! TELL (seizing the bow and arrow handed to him) Gessler, you may come! (Gessler and soldiers come into view on the rocks above.)

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SOLDIERS In vain does he try to escape us: lets follow his trail. GESSLER Let him find his mercy only in the mortal blow, let him find his mercy only in the mortal blow! SOLDIERS Let him find his mercy only in the mortal blow! HEDWIGE Its he! JEMMY, HEDWIGE, WOMEN Its he! TELL (to his wife and son) Draw back. Let Switzerland breathe again! (letting fly an arrow) For you, Gessler! (Gessler, at the top of the rock, is struck by it.)

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HEDWIGE If William, in spite of the storm, can approach this shore, Ill answer for his freedom. MATHILDE Lets run to him! Lets run to him! HEDWIGE, LEUTHOLD Lets run to him! (They hurry off towards the waters edge. The storm rages. The boat containing Gessler and the frightened soldiers, with Tell at the helm, drives ashore. Tell leaps out and pushes the boat away into the waves with his foot.)

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GESSLER Jexpire ! (Il tombe dans le lac.) SOLDATS (senfuyant) Cest la flche de Tell ! HEDWIGE jour de dlivrance ! Sa mort termine enfin nos maux. JEMMY Sa mort termine enfin nos maux. TELL De Dieu reconnais lassistance. MATHILDE Rien na pu le soustraire au trait de la vengeance ; Ses richesses ni sa puissance, Ses supplices ni ses bourreaux. (Walter et les Confdrs entrent.) WALTER ces signaux de flamme enfin cessons de craindre ; Il faut du sang pour les teindre, Il faut le sang de loppresseur. Mais, que vois-je ? Guillaume ! il est libre, bonheur ! Volons vers le tyran ! TELL Que veux-tu ? WALTER Quil succombe ! TELL Dans le lac va chercher sa tombe. (Mathilde entre cette rponse de Tell.) JEMMY, HEDWIGE Honneur, honneur au bras librateur, Honneur, honneur au bras librateur ! MATHILDE, WALTER, CONFDRS, TOUS Honneur, honneur au bras librateur ! TELL Point de vaine esprance,

GESSLER I die! (He tumbles into the lake.) SOLDIERS (running away) Its Tells arrow! HEDWIGE O day of liberation! His death puts an end to our woes at last. JEMMY His death puts an end to our woes at last. TELL Recognise Gods help. MATHILDE Nothing has been able to shelter him from the arrow of vengeance; neither his wealth nor his power, his tortures nor his executioners. (Enter Walter and the Confederates.) WALTER At these fiery signals let us cease to fear at last; it needs blood to put them out, it needs the oppressors blood. But what do I see? William! He is free, o joy! Let us fly at the tyrant! TELL What do you intend? WALTER That he dies! TELL Go and look for his grave in the lake. (On this answer from Tell, Mathilde enters.) JEMMY, HEDWIGE Honour, all honour to the liberating arm, honour, all honour to the liberating arm! MATHILDE, WALTER, CONFEDERATES, PEOPLE Honour, all honour to the liberating arm! TELL Lets harbour no vain hope,

Tant que dAltdorf les crneaux orgueilleux Commanderont notre obissance. (Arnold et le reste des Confdrs entrent.) ARNOLD (prsentant Tell le drapeau qui flottait au troisime acte sur le chteau dAltdorf.) Tu nas plus former de vux, Altdorf est en notre puissance ! TOUS Victoire ! victoire ! Altdorf est en notre puissance ! ARNOLD Pourquoi ta prsence, mon pre ! Manque-t-elle au bonheur de lHelvtie entire ? (Lorage entirement dissip, laisse voir, dans toute sa beaut, un partie de la Suisse. Une multitude de barques pavoises voguent sur le Lac des Quatre-Cantons. Les montagnes qui dominent Fluelen, encore surmontes par de grands glaciers frapps des rayons du soleil, couronnent le tableau.) TELL Tout change et grandit en ces lieux ! Quel air pur ! HEDWIGE Quel jour radieux ! JEMMY Au loin quel horizon immense ! ARNOLD Oui, la nature sous nos yeux Droule sa magnificence ! TELL nos accents religieux, Libert, redescends des cieux, Et que ton rgne recommence ! Libert, redescends des cieux ! TOUS Et que ton rgne recommence, Libert, redescends des cieux ! etc. FIN DE LOPRA

so long as the proud battlements of Altdorf command our obedience. (Enter Arnold and the rest of the Confederates.) ARNOLD (presenting Tell with the banner that had flown over the castle at Altdorf in the third act.) You no longer have to make vows, Altdorf is in our power! ALL Victory! Victory! Altdorf is in our power! ARNOLD Why, o my father, is your presence wanting to the joy of all Helvetia? (The storm has by now quite passed away and we see in all its beauty a part of Switzerland. A multitude of be-flagged boats are sailing upon the Lake of the Four Cantons. The mountains which overlook Flelen, still topped by great glaciers struck by the suns rays, crown the picture.)

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TELL Everything here changes and grows in grandeur! What pure air! HEDWIGE What a radiant day! JEMMY In the distance what a boundless horizon! ARNOLD Yes, before our eyes nature unfolds its magnificence! TELL At our pious tones, Liberty, come down again from the skies and let your reign begin anew! Liberty, come down again from the skies! ALL And let your reign begin anew. Liberty, come down again from the skies! etc. END OF THE OPERA Translation Joseph Allen, 1973

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