Page:Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg (IA diemeistersinger68wagn).pdf/15
David (tenderly to Magdalena).
Magdalena. (aside).
(aloud.)
David.
For the Masters I'm preparing the ring.
Magdalena.
David.
That Prentice wins his enfranchisement
Who ne'er gained for breach of the rules chastisement;
He who passes is Master here.
Magdalena.
Now, Eva, come, we ought to trot.
Walter (quickly turning to them).
Magdalena.
If to win our Eva sought you,
Both time and place were opportune.
(The Prentices enter bearing benches.)
Walter.
Magdalena.
The facts of the trial.—
David, my dear, just heed what I say:
You must induce Sir Walter to stay.
The larder I'll sweep,
The best for you keep:
To-morrow rewards shall fall faster
If this young knight is made Master.
(She hurries towards the door.)
Eva. (to Walter).
Walter (ardently).
What use declaring
How great my darling?
New is my heart, new my mind,
New to my senses is all I find,
One thing I spring to,
One thing I cling to:
The hope sustaining
Thy hand of gaining!
Though to obtain thee my sword avail not,
As Master Singer surely I'll fail not.
For thee gold untold!
For thee
Poet's courage bold!
Eva (with great warmth).
For thee
Loving heed doth hold!
Magdalena.
David (measuring Walter).
(Magdalena pulls Eva quickly away through the curtains.)
Walter, disturbed and brooding, has thrown himself upon a raised ecclesiastical arm-chair which two Prentices had just moved away from the wall to the middle of the stage.
More Prentices enter; they bring and arrange benches and prepare everything (during the following dialogue) for the sitting of the Master Singers.
First Prentice.
Second Prentice.
Third Prentice.
David.
Work by yourselves; my own affairs claim me!
Second Prentice.
Third Prentice.
First Prentice.
Third Prentice.
Second Prentice.
First Prentice.
Third Prentice. (with expressive gesture).
(They pursue their work, laughing.)
David.
(after observing the meditating knight awhile, calls loudly):
Walter (looking up, surprised.)