Yes! there's a limit to the despot's power! When the oppress'd for justice looks in vain, When his sore burden may no more be borne, With fearless heart he makes appeal to Heaven, And thence brings down his everlasting rights, Which there abide, inalienably his, And indestructible as are the stars. Nature's primeval state returns again, Where man stands hostile to his fellow man; And if all other means shall fail his need, One last resource remains--his own good sword. Our dearest treasures call to us for aid Against the oppressor's violence; we stand For country, home, for wives, for children here!
Here stand we for our homes, our wives, and children.
Bethink ye well, before ye draw the sword. Some peaceful compromise may yet be made; Speak but one word, and at your feet you'll see The men who now oppress you. Take the terms That have been often tendered you; renounce The Empire, and to Austria swear allegiance!
What says the priest? To Austria allegiance?
'Tis a traitor's counsel, His country's foe!
Homage to Austria, after wrongs like these!
Shall Austria extort from us by force What we denied to kindness and entreaty?
Then should we all be slaves, deservedly.
Yes! Let him forfeit all a Switzer's rights, Who talks of yielding thus to Austria's yoke! I stand on this, Landamman. Let this be The foremost of our laws!
Even so! Whoe'er Shall talk of bearing Austria's yoke, let him Of all his rights and honors be despoiled, No man thenceforth receive him at his hearth!
Now you are free--this law hath made you free. Never shall Austria obtain by force What she has fail'd to gain by friendly suit.
Confederates! Have all gentler means been tried? Perchance the Emp'ror knows not of our wrongs; It may not be his will we suffer thus Were it not well to make one last attempt, And lay our grievances before the throne, Ere we unsheath the sword? Force is at best A fearful thing e'en in a righteous cause; God only helps, when man can help no more.
I was at Rheinfeld, at the Emperor's Court, Deputed by the Cantons to complain Of the oppressions of these governors, And of our liberties the charter claim Which each new king till now has ratified. I found the envoys there of many a town, From Suabia and the valley of the Rhine, Who all received their parchments as they wish'd, And straight went home again with merry heart. But me, your envoy, they to the council sent, Where I with empty cheer was soon dismiss'd. "The Emperor at present was engaged; Some other time he would attend to us!" I turn'd away, and passing through the hall, With heavy heart, in a recess I saw The Grand Duke John[54] in tears, and by his side The noble lords of Wart and Tegerfeld, Who beckon'd me, and said, "Redress yourselves. Expect not justice from the Emperor. Does he not plunder his own brother's child, And keep from him his just inheritance?" The Duke claims his maternal property, Urging he's now of age, and 'tis full time That he should rule his people and estates What is the answer made to him? The king Places a chaplet on his head; "Behold The fitting ornament," he cries, "of youth!"