Page:Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg (IA diemeistersinger68wagn).pdf/13

This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.

The Master Singers of Nuremberg.

9

Eva.

Good Lena! Pray! He meant it not so:
He is only eager to know—
How shall I say?—I scarce comprehend—
His words my senses nearly suspend—
He asks—about my choice!

Magdalena
(looking about apprehensively).

Oh please! subdue your voice!
Come directly home with me:
Just suppose the folks should see!

Walter.

Not yet, till I know my fate!

Eva.

They're gone, there's no one night.

Magdalena.

That's why I'm in a state!
Sir knight, pray elsewhere try!

David enters from the sacristy and busies himself with drawing together dark curtains which are so disposed as to close off the foreground of the stage from the nave.

Walter.

Nay, your reply?

Eva (holding Magdalena).

Reply?

Magdalena.
(who has turned away, perceives David, pauses and calls tenderly aside).

David! Why, can it be?

Eva (urgently).

What answer? Speak for me!

Magdalena.
(distracted in her attention, looking around repeatedly at David).

Chevalier, what of this maid you ask
To answer is no easy task:
She is betrothed, you might expect—

Eva (quickly interrupting).

But none has seen the bridegroom elect.

Magdalena.

The groom, in sooth, will not be known
Until to-morrow by trial shewn,
When a Master-Singer receives the prize—

Eva (as before).

And my own hand his bay-wreath ties.

Walter.

A Master-Singer?

Eva. (timidly).

Are you not one?

Walter.

A trial-song?

Magdalena.

Fore judges done.

Walter.

Who wins the prize?

Magdalena.

'Tis for them to shew one.

Walter.

The bride will choose—?

Eva. (forgetting herself).

You, or else no one.

(Walter turns aside in great perturbation, pacing up and down).

Magdalena.

Why, Eva! Eva! Are you insane?

Eva.

Good Lena! Help me my lover to gain!

Magdalena.

Yesterday first did you see his face.

Eva.

Kindled my love at so swift a pace,
Having his portrait so oft in sight.
Say, is he not like David quite?

Magdalena.

Are you mad? Like David?

Eva.

The picture, I mean.

Magdalena.

Oh! he with the harp and beard long flowing,
As on the Master's escutcheon seen?

Eva.

Nay! he Goliath with pebble o'erthrowing,
With sword at side and sling in hand,
Light locks around his head like rays,
As Master Albrecht Dürer portrays.

Magdalena (sighing loudly).

Ah, David, David!

David
(who has gone out now returns with a rule stick in his girdle and swinging in his hand a large piece of chalk tied to a string).

Here am I! who calls?

Magdalena.

Ah, David! through thee what ill befalls!

(aside.)

The darling rogue! he knows it too!

(aloud.)

Why, look! he's shut us all up inside here!