Page:Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg (IA diemeistersinger68wagn).pdf/53

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Beckmesser.

Aught but that! Pray hush!—What a madd'ning thing?
Would you the post of Marker aspire to,
Then hammer away as your desire to:
But you must agree to restrain your tool;
Not strike unless I'm breaking the rule.

Sachs.

Though a cobbler I'll keep the rules like you,
If my fingers itch to complete this shoe.

Beckmesser.

Your Master's word?

Sachs.

And cobbler's truth.

Beckmesser.

If it is faultless, fair and smooth—

Sachs.

Then you must go unshod, forsooth!
Sit you down here!

Beckmesser.
(placing himself at the corner of the house).

I'd rather leave you.

Sachs.

Why so far off?

Beckmesser.

Not to perceive you:
The Marker in school hides in his place.

Sachs.

But I shall scarce hear you.

Beckmesser.

My pow'rful bass
Will not then stun you with its din.

Sachs.

That's good—All right then!—"Now begin"?

(Short prelude on the lute by Beckmesser, during which Magdalena leans out of the window.)

Walter. (to Eva).

What crazy sounds! 'Tis like a dream:
Still in the Singer's seat I seem.

Eva.

Sleep steals upon me like a spell.
For good or evil, who can tell?

(She sinks as if stupefied on Walter's breast. In this position they remain.)

Beckmesser (with his lute).

"I see the dawning daylight
With great pleasure I do.

(Sachs knocks.)
(Beckmesser starts but continues.)

"For now my breast takes a right
Courage both fresh and—"

(Sachs has dealt two blows. Beckmesser turns around slowly, but in anger.)

Is this a jest?
What d'ye find bad there?

Sachs.

Better have had there,
"For now my breast
Takes a right courage fresh and—"

Beckmesser.

How would that lay right
To rhyme with my "daylight?"

Sachs.

The melody do you think no matter?
Both words and notes should fit in song.

Beckmesser.

Absurd discussion!—Leave off that clatter!
Or is it a plot?

Sachs.

Oh get along!

Beckmesser.

I'm quite upset!

Sachs.

Begin it once more,
And three bars rest meanwhile I'll score.

Beckmesser (aside).

'Tis better that no attention I pay:—
If only she is not scared away!

(He clears his throat and begins again.)

"I see the dawning daylight,
With great pleasure I do;
For now my heart takes a right
Courage both fresh and new.
I do not think of dying,
Rather of trying
A young maiden to win.
Oh wherefore doth the weather
Then to-day so excel?
I to all say together
'Tis because a damsel
By her beloved father,
At his wish rather,
To be wed doth go in.
The bold man who
Would come and view,
May see the maiden there so true,
Of whom my hopes I firmly glue:
Therefore is the sky so bright blue.
As I said to begin."

(From the 6th line onward, Sachs has continued to hammer repeatedly on the various false accents: Beckmesser, who has started painfully at each blow, is forced to make his notes short and jerky in the effort to control his inward rage; this increases the comical effect of his doggerel performance.—Now he bursts out at Sachs round the corner.)

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