Page:Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg (IA diemeistersinger68wagn).pdf/43
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The Master Singers of Nuremberg.
39
Sachs.
I say not so.
Eva.
Then you must be bright!
Sachs.
That I don't know.
Eva.
You know nought?—You say nought?—Ah, friend Sachs!
I see now clearly: pitch is not wax.
I really believed you were sharper.
I see now clearly: pitch is not wax.
I really believed you were sharper.
Sachs.
My dear!
Both pitch and wax are well known here.
With wax I rubbed the silken stitching
With which I sewed your pretty shoes:
The thread for these coarser ones I'm pitching;
'Tis good enough for a man to use.
Both pitch and wax are well known here.
With wax I rubbed the silken stitching
With which I sewed your pretty shoes:
The thread for these coarser ones I'm pitching;
'Tis good enough for a man to use.
Eva.
Whom do you mean? Some grandee?
Sachs.
Aye, marry!
A Master proud, who boldly woos,
Expecting to-morrow all to carry:
For Master Beckmesser I make these shoes.
A Master proud, who boldly woos,
Expecting to-morrow all to carry:
For Master Beckmesser I make these shoes.
Eva.
Then pitch in plenty let there be,
To stick him fast and leave me free.
To stick him fast and leave me free.
Sachs.
He hopes by singing to attain thee.
Eva.
Why should he hope?
Sachs.
Why should he not?
Few bachelors are on the spot.
Few bachelors are on the spot.
Eva.
Might not a widower hope to gain me?
Sachs.
My child, I am too old for you.
Eva.
Ah, stuff—too old! Art is the thing:
Who masters that, is free to woo.
Who masters that, is free to woo.
Sachs.
Dear Eva! Are you flattering?
Eva.
Not I! 'Tis you are an impostor!
Admit now, your affections veer;
Heav'n knows whom now your heart may foster!
I'd thought it my own this many a year.
Admit now, your affections veer;
Heav'n knows whom now your heart may foster!
I'd thought it my own this many a year.
Sachs.
Because in my arms I oft carried you?
Eva.
I see! you had no child of your own.
Sachs.
I once had wife and children too.
Eva.
But they are dead and I am grown.
Sachs.
Grown tall and fair.
Eva.
't was my idea
That I might fill their places here.
That I might fill their places here.
Sachs.
Then I should have child and also wife:
That were indeed a joy in life!
Aye, that was an idea, I vow!
That were indeed a joy in life!
Aye, that was an idea, I vow!
Eva.
I think you're trying to mock me now.
In short, 'twould give you little sorrow,
If under your nose from all to-morrow
This Beckmesser sang me away!
In short, 'twould give you little sorrow,
If under your nose from all to-morrow
This Beckmesser sang me away!
Sachs.
If he succeeded what could I say?
'twould rest on what your father said.
'twould rest on what your father said.
Eva.
Where does a master keep his head!
Were I with you could it be found?
Were I with you could it be found?
Sachs.
Ah yes! you're right! all my brain turns round;
I've been annoyed and vexed to-day:
And in my mind some traces stay.
I've been annoyed and vexed to-day:
And in my mind some traces stay.
Eva.
Aye, in the Song-school? You met, I see.
Sachs.
Yes, child: an election has worried me.
Eva.
Oh Sachs! but you should at once have said so!
Then my tongue would not have plagued your head so.
Now say, who was it entrance besought?
Then my tongue would not have plagued your head so.
Now say, who was it entrance besought?
Sachs.
A knight, my child, and quite untaught.
Eva.
A knight? Dear me!—And did he succeed?
Sachs.
Why no, my child! we disagreed.
Eva.
Dear me! how strange! relate it, pray.
If you are vexed can I be gay?—
Then he was defeated and baffled quite?
If you are vexed can I be gay?—
Then he was defeated and baffled quite?
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