the assassins reap no profit by their crime;but we shall pluck with unpolluted hands the teeming fruits of their most bloody deed.
for we are ransomed from our heaviest fear;the direst foe of liberty has fallen, and, 'tis reported, that the crown will pass from hapsburg's house into another line;the empire is determined to assert its old prerogative of choice, i hear.
furst (and several others).
is any named?
stauff.
the count of luxembourg's already chosen by the general voice.
furst.
'tis well we stood so staunchly by the empire!
now we may hope for justice, and with cause.
stauff.
the emperor will need some valiant friends.
he will 'gainst austria's vengeance be our shield.
[the peasantry embrace.enter sacristan with imperial messenger.]
sacris.
here are the worthy chiefs of switzerland!
rossel.(and several others.)
sacrist, what news?
sacris.
a courier brings this letter.
all (to w furst).
open and read it.
furst (reading).
"to the worthy men of uri, schwytz, and unterwald, the queen elizabeth sends grace and all good wishes."many voices.
what wants the queen with us? her reign is done.
furst (reading).
"in the great grief and doleful widowhood, in which the bloody exit of her lord has plunged the queen, still in her mind she bears the ancient faith and love of switzerland."melch.
she ne'er did that in her prosperity.
rossel.
hush, let us hear!
furst (reading).
"and she is well assured, her people will in due abhorrence hold the perpetrators of this damned deed.
on the three cantons, therefore, she relies, that they in nowise lend the murderers aid;but rather, that they loyally assist, to give them up to the avenger's hand, remembering the love and grace which they of old received from rudolph's royal house."[symptoms of dissatisfaction among the peasantry.]