Page:Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg (IA diemeistersinger68wagn).pdf/45
This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
The Master Singers of Nuremberg.
41
Sachs.
Truly hopeless the case of the noble knight.
Magdalena
(comes to the house door and calls softly).
Hist! Eva! Hist!
Eva.
Truly hopeless! and why?
Were there no means to help him by?
Sang he so ill, so faultily
He never a Master can hope to be?
Were there no means to help him by?
Sang he so ill, so faultily
He never a Master can hope to be?
Sachs.
My child, it is a hopeless disaster;
No leader he'll be in any land;
For when one is born to be a Master,
'Mong other Masters he cannot stand.
No leader he'll be in any land;
For when one is born to be a Master,
'Mong other Masters he cannot stand.
Magdalena (approaching).
Your father awaits.
Eva.
But tell me the end,
If none of the Masters he won for a friend.
If none of the Masters he won for a friend.
Sachs.
That is a good joke! friend could we call
One before whom we all felt so small?
My young lord Haughty, let him toddle,
In the world to cool his noddle.
What we have learnt with toil and care,
Let us digest in peace unburied!
Here we must by no one be worried;
So let his fortune shine elsewhere!
One before whom we all felt so small?
My young lord Haughty, let him toddle,
In the world to cool his noddle.
What we have learnt with toil and care,
Let us digest in peace unburied!
Here we must by no one be worried;
So let his fortune shine elsewhere!
Eva (rising hastily).
Yes, elsewhere it will shine, I know,
In spite of what your envious pack says;
Some place where hearts still warmly glow,
With no deceitful Master Sachses!—
Yes, Lena! Yes! I'm coming, dear!—
Nice consolation I get here!
I smell the pitch, Heav'n keep us whole!
Burn it, rather, and warm up your soul.
In spite of what your envious pack says;
Some place where hearts still warmly glow,
With no deceitful Master Sachses!—
Yes, Lena! Yes! I'm coming, dear!—
Nice consolation I get here!
I smell the pitch, Heav'n keep us whole!
Burn it, rather, and warm up your soul.
(She crosses over hastily with Magdalena and remains in agitation at her own door.)
Sachs
(with a meaning nod of his head).
I thought as much! Now then they'll prate!
(During the following he closes the upper half of his door also, so nearly as only to leave a little crack of light, he himself being quite invisible.)
Magdalena.
Good lack! why have you stayed so late?
Your father called.
Your father called.
Eva.
Go you instead
And say that I am gone to bed.
And say that I am gone to bed.
Magdalena.
No, no! Hark now! I have news too?
Beckmesser found me; such a to-do!
To-night, if but at the window stay'd you,
He said he would come and serenade you.
The song he intends for your winning he'll sing,
To try if your approval 'twill bring.
Beckmesser found me; such a to-do!
To-night, if but at the window stay'd you,
He said he would come and serenade you.
The song he intends for your winning he'll sing,
To try if your approval 'twill bring.
Eva.
He need not trouble—Where can he be!
Magdalena.
Has David been here?
Eva.
What's that to me?
Magdalena (half to herself).
I was too harsh; he's vexed, I fear.
Eva.
No one in sight?
Magdalena.
Some one draws near.
Eva.
Is't he?
Magdalena.
Come: 'tis time to depart.
Eva.
Not till I've seen the man of my heart.
Magdalena.
I made a mistake, it is not he.
Come in, for fear your father should see.
Come in, for fear your father should see.
Eva.
What shall I do?
Magdalena.
We'll hold consultation
As to this Beckmesser's invitation.
As to this Beckmesser's invitation.
Eva.
Stand you at the window for me.
Magdalena.
What, I?
'Twould rouse poor David's jealousy.
He sleeps on the street side. He, he! what fun!
'Twould rouse poor David's jealousy.
He sleeps on the street side. He, he! what fun!
Eva.
I hear a footstep!
Magdalena.
Come now, let us run!
Eva.
It nears us!
Magdalena.
You're wrong, I'll bet my head.
Do come! You must, till your father's in bed.
Do come! You must, till your father's in bed.
Pogner (calling within).
Hey! Lena! Eva!
x