Page:Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg (IA diemeistersinger68wagn).pdf/8

Eva into her father's care. Sachs then devotes all his attention to forcing Walter within his shop. Beckmesser makes his escape through the jeering crowd. The Nightwatchman's horn is heard again, and the rioters seek safety in flight. The full moon shines down on the deserted street, as the Nightwatchman enters, and in a tremulous voice announces that "Eleven o'clock strikes from every steeple" and invokes "Heaven's protection on all good people."

Sunday morning. The Workshop of Hans Sachs. After a short interview with David, who fears his master's displeasure for his part in the riot of the previous night, Hans Sachs sinks low in his chair, deep in thought, and sings the Monologue "Wahn! Wahn!" (Mad! Mad!). He dilates on the follies of youth and the experience of age. Walter enters and is affectionately received: Sachs is anxious that the happiness of the lovers shall be assured. Walter describes to Sachs a wonderful dream he has had, and Sachs then suggests to him that he prepare a Master song, with Spring, the time of lovers, as his subject. Walter immediately agrees and commences to sing the song that eventually gains for him his coveted treasure. As Walter sings, Sachs gently corrects and suggests improvements until perfection is reached, meanwhile writing down the song on a scroll, which he leaves to dry upon the table. After singer and tutor have retired to another room, Beckmesser peeps into the shop, then limps in, still suffering from the beating he recently received. He sinks into the chair and as his eyes wander over the table, he sees the copy of the song left by Sachs. Seizing the scroll he hastily conceals it in his clothing. Sachs returns and notices the theft. Beckmesser confesses the purloining, but tries to brazen the matter out by accusing Sachs of desiring to sing a love song. Finally Sachs offers Beckmesser the copy, which he gratefully seizes, hurrying from the room, determined to announce the song as a composition of his own. Eva, robed in dazzling white, arrives to have her shoe attended to by Sachs, and Walter in knightly apparel enters, followed by David and Magdalena. Sachs announces the birth of the song, composed by Walter, and the quintet is sung as the scene closes.

The last scene shows an open meadow, with distant view of Nuremberg. Preparations are in progress for the great singing festival, at which all unmarried masters may compete with the hand of Eva as the prize. The various Trades Guilds enter bearing emblems of their trades. After the Masters with much ceremony have taken their seats on the raised stand, Beckmesser presents