Page:Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg (IA diemeistersinger68wagn).pdf/25
This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
The Master Singers of Nuremberg.
21
The maid shall sit in judgment too.
Our Guild the winner shall declare;
But as to marriage, 'tis but fair
That, 'spite the Masters' choice,
The bride should have a voice.
Our Guild the winner shall declare;
But as to marriage, 'tis but fair
That, 'spite the Masters' choice,
The bride should have a voice.
Beckmesser (to Kothner).
Do you like that?
Kothner. (aloud).
You mean to say
That we the maiden must obey?
That we the maiden must obey?
Beckmesser.
'Twere dangerous!
Kothner.
I cannot see
How then our judgment would be free.
How then our judgment would be free.
Beckmesser.
Let her choose as may please her heart,
And leave the Master Song business apart.
And leave the Master Song business apart.
Pogner.
Nay, nay? why so? Let me correct!
Any man whom we all elect
May be by her rejected,
But never another accepted:
A Master Singer he must be;
None may she wed uncrowned by ye.
Any man whom we all elect
May be by her rejected,
But never another accepted:
A Master Singer he must be;
None may she wed uncrowned by ye.
Sachs.
But say!
Perhaps that were too much to say.
The fire that warms a maiden's heart
Is not like flames of Master-Art;
Undisciplined, the female mind
Level with public voice I find.
So, if you hold to public vision
Your high esteem of Art,
If you desire the girl's decision
Should not the matter thwart,
Then let the people too decide:
With the maiden's voice they'd coincide.
Perhaps that were too much to say.
The fire that warms a maiden's heart
Is not like flames of Master-Art;
Undisciplined, the female mind
Level with public voice I find.
So, if you hold to public vision
Your high esteem of Art,
If you desire the girl's decision
Should not the matter thwart,
Then let the people too decide:
With the maiden's voice they'd coincide.
The Masters
(uneasily amongst themselves).
Oho! The people! What an idea!
'Twere then goodbye to Art, I fear!
'Twere then goodbye to Art, I fear!
Nachtigal.
Nay, Sachs! Indeed that is absurd!
We to obey the people's word?
We to obey the people's word?
Sachs.
Pray, understand! Don't talk like that!
OF course I have the rules all pat:
And that our Guild should keep them too
For many a year I've worked with you.
But once in each year I think 'twere better
To have these very rules well tried,
Les, rustled by use and custom's fetter,
Their force and life perchance have died.
If Truth and Nature pure
Still in your laws endure,
You'll learn for sure
Where nought's known of the Tabulature.
OF course I have the rules all pat:
And that our Guild should keep them too
For many a year I've worked with you.
But once in each year I think 'twere better
To have these very rules well tried,
Les, rustled by use and custom's fetter,
Their force and life perchance have died.
If Truth and Nature pure
Still in your laws endure,
You'll learn for sure
Where nought's known of the Tabulature.
(The Prentices jump up and rub their hands.)
Beckmesser.
Hey! Are not the boys contented!
Sachs (earnestly continuing).
So may it be ne'er repented
That once, on St. John's day, ev'ry year
Ye do not bring the people here,
But bend your Guild of Masters proud
Right willingly towards the crowd.
You cater here for the masses:
I think then 'twere but right
To ask the vote of those classes
And hear if they find delight.
Thus Art and Nation shall bloom and wax
By your good help, say I, Hans Sachs.
That once, on St. John's day, ev'ry year
Ye do not bring the people here,
But bend your Guild of Masters proud
Right willingly towards the crowd.
You cater here for the masses:
I think then 'twere but right
To ask the vote of those classes
And hear if they find delight.
Thus Art and Nation shall bloom and wax
By your good help, say I, Hans Sachs.
Vogelgesang.
That's very right!
Kothner.
And yet all wrong!
Nachtigal.
When riff-raff speak I'll hold my tongue.
Kothner.
Our Art would quickly be disgraced,
If it were swayed by public taste.
If it were swayed by public taste.
Beckmesser.
He's tried for that who talks so loud;
Clap-trap stuff he writes for the crowd.
Clap-trap stuff he writes for the crowd.
Pogner.
Friend Sachs, what I propose is new:
Too many novelties won't do!—
I ask then, if ye Masters will hold
My offer on the terms just told?
Too many novelties won't do!—
I ask then, if ye Masters will hold
My offer on the terms just told?
(The Masters rise assentingly.)
Sachs.
I am content the maid should decide.
Beckmesser (aside).
That cobbler-man I can't abide!
Kothner.
What candidate comes to me?
A bachelor he must be?
A bachelor he must be?
Beckmesser.
He may be a widower! How about Sachs!
Sachs.
Nay, nay, good Marker! Of younger wax
Must be the suitor who comes to woo
Our Eva, than myself or you.
Must be the suitor who comes to woo
Our Eva, than myself or you.
Beckmesser.
Than even I?—Mannerless knave!
x