Impossible! a storm is close at hand,
Wait till it pass! You must.

BAUM.
Almighty heavens!
I cannot wait; the least delay is death.

KUONI (to the fisherman).
Push out--God with you!
We should help our neighbours;
The like misfortune may betide us all.

[Thunder and the roaring of the wind.]

RUODI.
The South-wind's up![*] See how the lake is rising!
I cannot steer against both wind and wave.

[*] Literally, The Fohn is loose! "When," says Muller, in his History
of Switzerland, "the wind called the Fohn is high, the navigation
of the lake becomes extremely dangerous. Such is its vehemence,
that the laws of the country require that the fires shall be
extinguished in the houses while it lasts, and the night watches
are doubled. The inhabitants lay heavy stones upon the roofs of
their houses, to prevent their being blown away."

BAUM. (clasping him by the knees).
God so help you as now you pity me!

WERNI.