Page:Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg (IA diemeistersinger68wagn).pdf/47
Magdalena.
D'ye hear? Come—your knight's far away.
Walter has come up the alley and now turns the corner by Pogner's house. Eva, who is being dragged indoors by Magdalena, tears herself free with a slight cry and rushes towards Walter.
Eva.
Magdalena (going in).
(Exit.)
Eva (transported).
Yes, my own love!
Nought conceal I.
All is known, love:
All reveal I,
For I know it:
It is you, love,
Hero-Poet
And my only friend!
Walter (sorrowfully).
Not as poet
Masters prize me,
For my station
They despise me:
Inspiration
They can brook not,
And—I know it—
I may look not
To my lady's hand!
Eva.
Awards the prize alone.
Thy courage doth my heart command,
Be then the wreath thine own.
Walter.
Thou no one else should gain it,
Upon the terms thy father plann'd
I never may attain it.
"A Master Singer he must be:
None may'st thou wed uncrowned by thee."
Thus to the Guild he firmly spake:
What he hath pledged he may not break.
That spurred my heart's desire,
Though strange to me were place and folk;
I sang, all love and fire,
And strove to make a Master-stroke.
Oh, but these Masters!
Think of these Masters!
With their cramping rules,
Like clinging pitch-plasters!
I choke with passion,
My heart's unnerved!
Think of the fashion
In which I was served!
Hence, as a rover!
Freedom before me—
Still I'm a Master at home!
As I'm thy lover
Now I implore thee,
Come, and together we'll roam!
Eva (taking him soothingly by the hand).
'Tis but the watchman goes forth.—
Hide 'neath the lime-tree;
Lose no more time! See,
The watchman passes this way.
Magdalena (at the door, softly).
Walter.
Eva.
Walter.
Eva.
(She disappears with Magdalena into the house.)
The Watchman
(has meanwhile appeared in the alley. He comes forward singing, turns the corner of Pogner's house and exit L.).
Striketh ten from every steeple.
Put out your fire and eke your light,
That none may come to harm this night.
Praise the Lord of Heav'n!"
(He has by this time gone off, but his horn is still heard.)
Sachs
(who has listened to the foregoing from behind his shop-door, now opens it a little wider, having shaded his lamp).
Here's an elopement being plann'd.
I'm awake! This must not be.
Walter (behind the lime-tree).
Yet no! who comes here?—Ah, not she!
'Tis Magdalena.—Yet surely!—Thou!
Eva
(returns in Magdalena's dress and goes to Walter).
(She sinks to his breast.)
Walter.
I see indeed the Master-prize!
Eva.
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