TELL

The tale of Tell is simply told;

He would not heed the tyrant,

But, big and brave and bluffly bold

He spurned the cold aspirant —

He simply came out plain and flat

And his own rights defended;

He would not bow to Gessler's hat

Upon the pole suspended.

Then Gessler came upon the scene

And ordered Tell to knuckle;

Tell fixed him with his glances keen

And gave a scornful chuckle.

Then Gessler frowned and knit his brows

( A most portentous omen );

“Risk your boy's life or make those bows!”

( We've lost the boy's cognomen. )

Tell smiled, and got his trusty bow,

Likewise his trusty arrow

( Now, William Tell, as you should know,

Could wing the fleeting sparrow

Or he could truly shoot the chutes ) —

So Gessler said: “Now grapple

With this one fact — for you the boots

Unless you cleave the apple.”

Did Tell succeed? In your school books

The tale is very well told,

And Gessler looked some haughty looks

When he heard what Bill Tell told.

“What did you hide this arrow for?”

Asked Gessler of the wizard.

“I meant to split that apple, or

I'd have to harm your gizzard!”

That's all, except it shall endure

As acted by Salvini.

( But was it? ) And the overture

Composed by one Rossini

Shall prove that Tell is not a myth

Concocted to deceive us.

We've seen the bow he did it with;

We hope you will believe us.