_A meadow surrounded by high rocks and wooded ground. On the rocks are tracks, with rails and ladders, by which the peasants are afterward seen descending. In the background the lake is observed, and over it a moon rainbow in the early part of the scene. The prospect is closed by lofty mountains, with glaciers rising behind them. The stage is dark, but the lake and glaciers glisten in the moonlight._
MELCHTHAL, BAUMGARTEN, WINKELRIED, MEYER VON SARNEN BURKHART AM BUHEL, ARNOLD VON SEWA, KLAUS VON DER FLUE, _and four other peasants, all armed._
The mountain pass is open. Follow me! I see the rock, and little cross upon it: This is the spot; here is the Rootli.
None of our comrades come? We are the first, we Unterwaldeners.
The beacon watch Upon the Selisberg has just called two.
The forest chapel's matin bell Chimes clearly o'er the lake from Switzerland.
The air is clear and bears the sound so far.
Go, you and you, and light some broken boughs, Let's bid them welcome with a cheerful blaze.
The moon shines fair tonight. Beneath its beams The lake reposes, bright as burnish'd steel.
Ay, indeed, I do! A rainbow in the middle of the night.
Formed by the bright reflection of the moon!
A sign most strange and wonderful, indeed! Many there be who ne'er have seen the like.
A boat is gliding yonder right beneath it.
That must be Werner Stauffacher! I knew The worthy patriot would not tarry long.
_[Goes with_ BAUMGARTEN _toward the shore_.]
They're forced to take a winding circuit through The mountains; for the Viceroy's spies are out.
_[In the meanwhile the two peasants have kindled a fire in the centre of the stage.]_ MELCHTHAL _(on the shore)_.
_[All retire up the stage, toward the party landing from the boat. Enter_ STAUFFACHER, ITEL REDING, HANS AUF DER MAUER, JORG IM HOFE, CONRAD HUNN, ULRICH DER SCHMIDT, JOST VON WEILER, _and three other peasants, armed.]_
_[While the rest remain behind exchanging greetings_, MELCHTHAL _Comes forward with_ STAUFFACHER.]
Oh worthy Stauffacher, I've look'd but now On him who could not look on me again; I've laid my hands upon his rayless eyes, And on their vacant orbits sworn a vow Of vengeance, only to be cool'd in blood.
Speak not of vengeance. We are here, to meet The threatened evil, not to avenge the past. Now tell me what you've done, and what secured, To aid the common cause in Unterwald. How stand the peasantry disposed, and how Yourself escaped the wiles of treachery?