(原版)澳大利亞語文第六冊 LESSON 26

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LESSON 26 WILLIAM TELL

WILLIAM TELL

Those of you who have been reading of the different countries of Europe will remember what kind of land Switzerland is. It lies almost in the very heart of the continent, and its high, snow-clad mountains and deep valleys are well known to every traveller.

The Swiss are a brave and free people, and their rulers govern the land wisely and well.

But the Swiss, though at all times brave, were not always free. Many years ago, the Duke of Austria wished to claim the land as part of his great realm [1] . He had many soldiers at his command, and, for a time, his armies overran Switzerland, and forced the brave Swiss to obey his laws.

He could not, however, crush the proud and independent spirit of a brave people, and it is concerning one of those gallant men who fought against Austria that I am now going to write.

Though very strict laws had been made to force the Swiss to yield to the Austrian power, it was easy to see that the people evaded [2] the laws, and defied the Duke's authority whenever they possibly could.

Gessler, who had been appointed by the Duke of Austria to rule over Switzerland in his name, made up his mind to humble the people, or severely punish those who refused to obey the Duke's will.

For this purpose, he set up in the market-place of Altorf, one of the Swiss towns, a tall pole on which he had placed a hat, such as might have been worn by the Duke of Austria himself.

Then he issued a strict order that every Swiss man, woman, and child who entered the market-place should bow down before this symbol [3] of Austrian power. In this way, they would acknowledge [4] the rule of Austria and show they were subjects of the Duke.

Now, it was the custom for men and women to come on certain days from neighbouring villages, and from far distant valleys to the market-place, there to sell their butter and cheese and other goods, and buy the things they needed in their own homes.

It was on one of such days that Gessler set up the Austrian hat in the midst of the market-place, so great crowds of people passed and repassed.

Many of them bent themselves before the sign of authority, others only pretended to bow, while their hearts beat in anger at this new way of humbling them.

Presently, however, there strode into the market-place a bold mountaineer named William Tell. He was an archer, and his skill with the bow was known far and wide. Many stories were told of the wonderful shots he had made.

He gazed openly at the tall pole and the Austrian hat, but he did not bend his head as Gessler's soldiers called on him to do. Instead, he walked proudly past, as erect as a mountain pine.

As soon as Gessler was told of this, he ordered his soldiers to bring the rebel before him. Tell came into the presence of the stern governor with a look of quiet courage in his eyes. His young son walked in with him, holding him by the hand.

Gessler at once saw that he had here to deal with no ordinary man. He determined, therefore, to make the punishment of a terrible nature.

You are a famous archer, I am told, the tyrant [5] said. "You will now be able to show us how skilful you are, or let all the world know that you are only a braggart."

Then he ordered the boy to be placed at a distance of a hundred yards, and an apple to be put on his head.

When that had been done, he turned to Tell, saying, "Take now your bow, and send from here an arrow through the apple. If you succeed in doing so, you will go free. If you miss the apple and kill your son, that will be the punishment imposed [6] on you for rebelling against the authority of the Duke."

The people murmured in horror and sympathy, but Tell himself quietly took his stand where he could have a clear view of his boy.

HE SLOWLY BENT THE BOW

Selecting two arrows, the bold archer thrust one into his belt, and fitted the notch of the other into the string of his bow.

With a shout to his son to stand perfectly still and to fear nothing, he slowly bent the bow, and the arrow sped on its way.

Next instant, a loud shout of joy and admiration arose from people and soldiers alike, as the apple, pierced fairly by the arrow, fell in pieces at the feet of the boy.

Gessler himself could not forbear a cry of wonder at the skill the archer had shown. Next moment he was stern as before.

You are free, bold archer, as I promised. But tell me, why did you put a second arrow in your belt? Were you afraid you would miss with your first?

The second arrow was for you, Tell replied boldly, "had I injured my son with the first."

Gessler rose with a flush of wrath on his face. With a loud voice he ordered his soldiers to seize the rebel, and carry him off to prison.

The soldiers rushed forward to obey his command, but the people, who had been roused to courage by the fearless bearing of Tell, threw themselves between the soldiers and the archer. Tell himself, without an instant's delay, fixed the second arrow in his bow, and shot the angry tyrant through the heart.

Then, seizing his little boy by the hand, he made his way quickly through the confused crowd, and escaped to the mountains.

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[1] realm: Kingdom; domain ruled by a sovereign.

[2] evaded: Avoided; dodged.

[3] symbol: Sign; emblem.

[4] acknowledge: To own or confess.

[5] tyrant: Harsh ruler.

[6] imposed: Placed; laid on.