Stories From Wagner - Story 8 The Master Singers (Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg)

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Episode Transcript

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Story eight of Tales from Wagner byJ. Walker mc spadden. This LibriVox
recording is in the public domain.Story eight The Master Singers the Meister thing
of on Moonberg. You and Ihave just read of a song contest which
ended sadly, so I know weshall be glad to read about another which

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ended in quite different fashion. Buthow that was I cannot tell you beforehand.
You must follow the story for yourself. At the time when the knights
were glad to be known as minstrelsor meny singers, as they were called
in Germany, the plain citizens andtradespeople were likewise interested in the art of

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songwriting. Sometimes they formed musical societiesor gills, which laid down certain rules
and offered prizes, and any onewas at liberty to try for these prizes,
provided he obeyed all the rules.The quaint old city of Nuremberg was
one of the chief music centers ofthe day, being widely noted for its

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gills and contests. One of theleading societies was composed entirely of tradespeople,
such as the butcher, the baker, and the candlestick maker, And every
fellow became so filled with the spiritof the times that he couldn't sharpen a
knife or blow abellows without keeping timewith his feet and trying to whistle a

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brand new tune in the doing ofit. In fact, Hans Socks,
the genial old carpenter, was perpetuallyhammering out new ditties with lusty blows upon
his leather, so that many ofhis verses are known to this day.
The rules of this guild I amtelling you about were somewhat odd. When

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a person composed a certain number oftunes, he was called a singer.
When he could compose the words tofit a given piece of music, he
was called a poet. And whenhe could write both words and music,
he was given the title of mastersinger, spelled in capital letters. And
mightily proud was he of this distinction. Of course, the music sung before

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this society had to conform to setprinciples which they believed right. But this
was the great trouble with such societies, for while they fostered much songwriting,
very little of it was original ordifferent from the tweedledum tweedle d which had
gone before. Nevertheless, the citizensof Nuremberg were quite being glorious over their

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guild and believed it turned out thefinest singers in the land. Its yearly
contests were widely attended, and greatwas the rivalry each year to secure the
chief prize, which was the titleof Master Singer. But great, as
had been the contests of the past, the excitement was increased tenfold upon a

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day when the leading goldsmith of thecity, by Wagner by name, announced
a special prize for the coming contest. He said that he would give his
fortune to the winner, and alsobestow upon him the hand of his daughter
Eva. But when proviso was madeto this generous offer, the suitor must

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be to some extent suitable to Evaherself. By this means Herpogner hoped not
only to bring out new and greatmusicians at the contest, but also to
wed his daughter only to a mastersinger, upon which last his heart had
been set. Eva herself had heldquite different ideas on the subjects of music

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and marriage. A light hearted andsomewhat coquettish girl, her pretty head had
been interested in many other things besidesthe monotonous singing of the butcher and baker,
or the pompous heirs of the driedup little town clerk Sixtus Beckmesser,
who had long aspired in secret forher favor. It must be confessed indeed,

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that Eva was not always as sedateas she might be. On the
day when story opens, she hadattended church very dutifully, but her eyes
had wandered from her hymn book morethan once, despite the energetic nudges of
her maid, Magdalena. The secretof Ava's inattention was revealed at the close

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of the service, when as theyturned to leave the church, a handsome
young knight stepped forward. His namewas a vault of von Stoltzen, and
although he lived in an adjoining province, this was not the first time he
had sought speech with the pretty Ava. Today he had hastened to church to
see her and ask her a momentousquestion. He had heard some rumors of

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her father's plan to wed her toa master singer, and it had filled
his heart with wild unrest. Aword with you, I beseech, he
said to Eva in a low tone, as she and her maid drew near
where he stood. Magdalen, I'veforgotten my handkerchief, said Eva, turning
to the maid. Will you notsee if it is in the view.

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The maid went and search of themissing article, and presently returned with it.
Oh, I'm so careless, exclaimedher mistress. I had a little
scarf pin on when I came in. See if I have dropped it thereabouts.
Magdalen went, and after some littletime she came back with the pen.
Thank you, you are a goodgirl, said Ava. Now if

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you will find where I have leftmy prayer book, I think we will
be quite ready to start. Themaid returned to the pew a third time,
and when she brought the book hermistress appeared immensely relieved. So did
the handsome young knight, for,as you may guess, he had been
making the most of these moments.The question which had so troubled him,

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and which he had found time toask Ava, was this, Has your
father promised your hand in marriage?Yes, said the mischievous Ava, But
seeing how cast down her reply madethe young man, she added, but
the bridegroom has not yet been chosen, not chosen, how can you be
promised else? Eva laughed teasingly,But as the maid would soon return,

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she told him in a few hurriedwords about the contest of song. It
is to be held tomorrow, sheended, and whoever is declared the victor
and master singer will also win myhand, so my father says. The
little light in her eyes as sheadded the last words would have set Walter's
heart still farther at rest if hehad seen it, But as it was

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his first keen anxiety had given wayto a yet keener interest in the contest
of the morrow, Tell me fartherof the singing, he said, entreatingly,
for you know I must needs takepart in it. My whole happiness
hangs upon the result. Eva felther cheeks grow red. However, the
maid had come back for the thirdtime, and she saw no excuse to

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tarry longer. Magdalen, she said, this gentleman, one of my father's
friends, has heard about the songtournament tomorrow. Can you tell him anything
about it? And Eva gave theyoung man a smile of encouragement and left
the church. Now Magdalen was notso blind as her mistress thought. She
had seen the Knight on other occasionsand had liked his face and manner.

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That's a good match, she hadwhispered within herself. Today she had gone
back to the pew willingly enough forher mistress wished it. Besides, was
not David the sexton back there,And David was a likely lad himself,
albeit he was somewhat awkward. Magdalendid not tarry long after her mistress.

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She gave the Knight a swift lookout of her black eyes and said,
there's David. He that's the sexton. Go ask him about the contest and
tell him Magdalen sent you belike,he can tell you all about it.
She then curtsied and hastened after Evawithout more Ado the Knight in search of
the sexton. David was easily found, for he had seen the handsome stranger

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talking with Magdalen, and his ownjealous interest had been aroused. But when
Walter greeted him courteously and stated hiserrand David grinned and pulled at a shock
of sandy hair. Oh my master, quoth he, So you would throum
a harp with the best of themtomorrow. But know you the rules,
No I do not, answered Waltera trifle impatiently. And that is what

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I would learn, and it pleaseyou, ah. But the rules are
the chief thing, good sir.They are not to be learned in a
moment and they are more important thanthe song itself. No one can be
a master singer unless he knows therules by heart. I have been learning
both cobbling and singing from Hans Socks, the shoemaker, and I do assure

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you, sir, it is noeasy task. But can you tell me
some of the rules? Persisted Walter. That can I, as far as
I've on, answered David. Youtake your heart so and hold it so,
and you thrum a cord with yourthumb sticking up in the air like
this. Then you thrust one kneeout in advance of the other until you

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go through your first measure, whichmust have so many beats and pauses.
But what has that to do withthe music, cried Walter, almost in
despair. Oh everything, I guess, said David, only that's about as
far as I've studied. But I'lltell you what to do. This very
day they are going to hold anexamination here in this chapel. You stay

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and apply for admission into the guild. Then you will see the rules you
will have to follow. Here comesthe apprentices now to get the chairs in
readiness. As he spoke, anumber of young men came in and began
pushing a curtained platform out into themiddle of the room. Around it,
they placed benches and chairs. Thatis the marker's box, said David,

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pointing to the platform. What isit for, asked Balter. Why the
marker sits inside while the singing isgoing on and marks up the mistakes on
a slate. When a singer hasseven marks against him, the marker declares
that he is outsung and outdone.The astonished Knight was about to ask other

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questions when the door opened and membersof the guild began to arrive. Among
the first were Herr Pogner, theGoldsmith, and Sixtus Beckmesser, the town
Clerk. Beckmesser was to be marker, and his usual sense of importance was
much increased by the fact he swelledout his thin chest and strutted grandly by

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the Goldsmith's side, telling him ofhis own aspirations in the coming contest.
Beckmesser was bald headed and a widowerwho had seen the best side of fifty
years. Yet he felt that Evawould be doing well if she got him,
especially if his dignity town clerk washeightened by that of master Singer.

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But when he saw Walter step forwardand greet the goldsmith, who received him
kindly and began to ask questions aboutthe contest. Beckmester's face grew glum,
and he inwardly resolved that if thisyoung fellow tried to interest his rival,
there would be plenty of marks againsthim on the marker's slate. Hans Socks,

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the cobbler, and all the othermembers of the guild now having taken
their places, the role was calledby Beckmesser. Then herpagner arose and stated
the terms of the contest for theensuing day, and repeated his offer to
give his fortune and daughter to thewinner of the prize. He continued,
it is our purpose this day toenter candidates for the contest. So I

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have the pleasure of presenting one whohas but now arrived, and who hands
me good letters from friends of minein the neighboring state of Franconia. His
name as a Walter von Stoltzen.Walter stood forward, and the members of
the gill eyed him solemnly. Whotaught you the art of music? Asked

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one? Nature has been my teacher? Answered the young man modestly. I
have heard her voice in the rustlingleaves. The babbling brook and the singing
birds, hm, said Beckmesser.But who has taught you the rules?
I have known very few rules,save only such as were taught me by
Walter van der Vogelweide, A goodmaster, said the genial Han Socks.

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But long since dead, so whatcould he know of our rules? Grumbled
Beckmesser. After further questions and quibblingon the part of the members, they
agreed to give the night a trialand judge for themselves. So Beckmesser climbed
into his curtained platform with alacrity,and Walter was asked to begin his song.
Walter did so, singing a sweet, tender melody of his own,

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which he had undoubtedly composed to theaccompaniment of the whispering winds. For while
it was beautiful and original, itpaid no attention whatever to the artificial rules
of the guild. Before he hadsung two measures, Beckmesser thrust his head
out of the curtain, crying,stop, stop, you are outsung and
outdone. And the clerks showed aslate covered with marks. You should have

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let him finish his song, saidHans Socks. For my part, I
thought it had great merit. Noone asked for your opinion, said the
clerk rudely. If you do notknow more than that about singing, you
should better stick to your last andfinish that pair of shoes you promised me
tomorrow. Hans Socks laughed good naturedly, but insisted that the singer be allowed

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to finish. Others took up theargument, and of Altar finally ended the
song, though amid some confusion.But the verdict, at the last,
given with much solemn shaking of theheads, fell like lead upon Walter's hopes.
Out sung and out done, theysaid. So Walter was denied membership

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in the guild, and the chanceof winning Eva's hand seemed slim. Indeed,
the only member who had been friendlyto the young Knight was Hans Socks.
This jolly cobbler lived just across thestreet from the goldsmith, his modest
shop standing in sharp contrast to Herr. Pogner's stately mansion. That same evening,

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while David the Apprentice was keeping shopduring his master's absence, a woman
came cautiously out of the side gateof the mansion with a basket on her
arm, and approached him. Goodevening, David, She said, good
evening, Lena, he answered,For it was Magdalen the maid. What
have you got in your basket?Look and see, she said, dipping

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the lid. What he saw madehis eyes grow large. There were cookies
and o nuts and pretzels, sotempting that he at once forgot his own
late supper. Who are they?Four? He asked, Oh, let
me ask you a question first?How did it go with the young knight
to day? Why? Mary?He was declared out done and outs Are

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you sure didn't you help him andteach him the rules as I told you
to Mary? That did I?But he didn't sing my way? And
the judges a plague upon you?And the judges, exclaimed the maid,
much disturbed, I will just takemy cookies back home and away she flounced,
leaving David staring open mouthed at thevanishing dainties. Some other prentices who

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had been hiding behind the corner nosooner saw David's discomfiture than they raised a
shout and began to make all mannerof fun at his expense. They were
a merry lot of rogues, theseapprentices, and lost no chance when their
master's backs were turned to get amischief. Now, as they began to
dance around David, he lost histemper, and, willing to vent his

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rage upon some one, he fellto fighting the whole crowd. The noise
was becoming uproarious, when suddenly astout man with ruddy cheeks strode briskly round
the corner. Hear you, boys, he shouted, be off home,
every mother's son of you and David. If I catch you fighting out here
in the street again, you willhave to hunt other shoes to cobble.

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They began it, sir, whinedDavid, while the other boys lost no
time in taking to their heels.That makes no difference, said Hans Socks.
Get in with you and help mefinish those shoes for her Beckmesser.
David scratched his head ruefully, butobeyed his master, and soon the lights
dreamed out from the little shop,and the cobbler's lusty blows were heard along

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the street, keeping time to asong of his own making. Across the
way, there was one heart thatwas much cast down. Eva had learned
from Magdalen the result of Walter's trial, and so she now approached her father
in regard to the next day's festival. She did not, of course,
mention the knight's name, but sheasked about those who were to sing,

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and timidly suggested that perhaps she neednot marry a master singer after all,
if he did not suit either ofthem. But her father seemed more determined
than ever, though he could nothelp wondering secretly if she had heard about
the young knight. As she lefther father, Eva heard the cobbler pounding

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away, and so she determined tofind out if he knew anything about the
contest. Hans Socks had just dismissedhis apprentice for the night when Ava tripped
lightly to the door and looked inA good evening to you, old pegg
at work, said she saucily.Why tis my little eve? He answered,
and his broad face smiled a welcome, for she was a special pet

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of his. What makes you workso pound pound pound so that your neighbors
cannot sleep? I am finishing twopairs of shoes, one for your little
feet to wear tomorrow at the festival, and the other for the worthy sixtyspecmesser
who aspires to out sing us.All. Oh, he can't do that,
you know, said Eva, laughingbut tossing her head uneasily before we

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let him do that. You andI why I would get you to mount
the stump and out sing him,and then just think what a nice old
husband you would be. Hans Sockslaughed heartily at her banter. He had
known her all her life and wasused to her ways by now, but
he decided to set a trap andfind out just where her affections lay.

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You have already had one narrow escapetoday, he said shrewdly. There was
a likely looking young gallant up beforethe guild, trying to sing his name
with a vaulters something, and hewanted to enter the contest tomorrow. But
bless you, he couldn't sing,and it's a good thing for you that
he couldn't. I'll warrant he's anidle fellow that will never amount to a

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side of sole leather. What doyou know about him? Burst forth,
Eva, indignantly, I'll warrant yourstupid crowd never gave him half a chance
to sing. You ought to beashamed of yourselves. But just then she
caught sight of the broad grin uponthe cobbler's face and realized she was betraying
herself. Her cheeks reddened, andshe turned and fled across the street,

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while hans Socks chuckled in great gleeover the success of his scheme. This
was not the only game the Shoemakerplayed that evening, as you shall presently
see, for just then the vaultcame along the street looking for Eva.
He had found opportunity to send wordthrough Magdalen that he was coming. So

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Eva was on the lookout for him, but fearful lest her father should see
her leaving the house. She hadchanged dresses with her maid, and it
was as Magdalen that she now hastenedout to join her lover. But Hanssak's
keen eyes right across the way werenot to be deceived. He recognized both
the young people at once, andas they drew under the shade of a

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linden tree that grew near his door, he was able to hear most of
their words. He heard Vaulter tellEve of his ill success that day,
and how he would not be ableto compete on the morrow because of us
lot of musty old rules. Vaulter, in fact, was in despair,
and he now proposed the only wayout that seemed possible to him. You

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must go away with me, dearEve, this very night, he urged,
we will get the good minister onthe farther side of the town to
marry us, and I have horsesand coach in waiting. By the time
the sun rises on that contest,we will be miles away from Nuremberg and
nearing my old home in Franconia.Will you not come? Eva hesitated.

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She loved her father and did notwant to bring him sorrow. But then
that odious Beckmesser or some other manwho might become master Singer. Yes,
she would go to the ends ofthe world with her dear vaulter, she
said. Hans Socks shook his headwhen he heard this. These foolish children
must be held in check. Sohe arose and made as though he were

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opening the shutter of his door,at the same time setting his lamp in
such a way that it threw abroad beam of light across the street.
Walter and Eva would have to crossthe lighted space, and this he knew,
they would not attempt lest they shouldbe seen. The cobbler was unexpectedly
aided in his ruse by the appearanceof Beckmesser. The town clerk has decided

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to serenade Eva in the most approvedstyle by way of proving his devotion and
also showing what he could do onthe morrow. While the two young people
crouched still farther behind the tree,Beckmesser struck his heart vigorously and cleared his
throat with a loud ahem, preparatoryto launching forth upon his ditty. But

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before he could get started, hansSocks began pounding again upon his last whack,
whack, whack, whack, tothe tune of a hearty cobbling song
by all the powers groaned the clerkdisgustedly. Then he called to the shoemaker,
here, you Hans Sucks. Don'tyou know you are disturbing the piece.

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Why don't you do all your workin the daytime. Oh, I
am just working a little tonight tofinish up that pair of shoes you were
so anxious to have tomorrow, retortedHans Socks. And I always sing at
my work. It makes it gobetter. Thereupon he began in a louder
voice than ever. Beckmesser was athis wis end. He had sent word

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to Eva that he was coming toserenade her. Now he was afraid in
his conceit that she would mistake thecobbler's song for his own. Just then,
Magdalen appeared at an upper window inAva's dress. Beckmesser waved frantically to
her and throw a kiss. Thenhe turned to the cobbler. I'll tell

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you what hans socks. You needn'tmind about those shoes tomorrow. I'm afraid
the neighbors will make complaint against you. Oh no, indeed, replied the
cobbler. They don't mind about mysinging. They say it soothes them well.
Speaking of singing, persisted the clerk, Perhaps she would like to hear
my new song that I have justcomposed and intend to sing tomorrow. Shall

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I go over it for you onone condition, and that is to allow
me to make note of every errorby tapping upon my shoes. Thus I
can criticize you and get my workdone at the same time, agreed,
said the clerk, and began hissong. But he was so nervous and

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irritated that his mistakes became more andmore frequent. The cobbler's taps became hammering,
and the hammering a constant clattering,while Beckmesser tried in vain to sing
against the noise. Finally, theuproar became so loud that windows were opened
all along the street to see whatwas the trouble. David was one of

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the first ones to look out uponthe scene. His jealous eyes saw Beckmesser
singing, or rather shouting, towardthe window where Magdalen stood, and his
rage was enkindled. In an instantspringing from the window to the ground,
he seized the unlucky clerk and beganto beat him soundly with the cudgel.

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The other apprentices, always ready fora fight, came rushing forth and taking
sides, joined in a general fisticuff. Walter and a tried to take advantage
of the tumult to effect their escape, but hans Socks was too quick for
them. Pretending to mistake Eva forMagdalen, he thrust her towards her own

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home, whose door was just thenopened, and Hrpagner, crying Lena,
pulled her within and closed the door. At the same moment, hans Socks
dragged Vaulter into his own shop,just as the sound of the approaching night
watch was heard. As if bymagic, the street was cleared of brawlers,

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and when the watchman sang in asonorous voice, ten o'clock, and
all's well. There was nothing insight to dispute his assertion. The morning
of the festival dawned clear and bright. The friendly sun streaming through the open
door into the cobbler's shop seemed togive promise of a perfect day. The
cobbler was up early, for hehad a good many singing rules to look

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over before the time of the contest. While he was busily turning over the
pages of a huge book, Davidcame sneaking in bearing a basket which looked
suspiciously like the one his Nina hadcarried the evening before. Seating himself in
a distant corner, he began tobusy himself with its contents, all the

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while watching his master with furtive glances. But Socks was so intent upon his
books that he paid no heed tohis apprentice. This also made David uncomfortable.
He thought his master was angry withhim for the brawling of the night
before, so he now tried tomake his peace by offering some of the
dainties to the cobbler. They weregood naturedly refused, Hans Socks, telling

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the young man to keep them forhimself to eat at the festival. Then,
after hearing him sing his morning song, David was given his freedom for
the day and joyfully departed. Presentlyanother person entered the shop, and this
time the shoemaker looked up quickly.Why tomorrow, sir Walter, did you

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sleep well? He asked kindly.I what sleep I had was good?
Thank you, replied the knight.How was it with you? Oh?
So so? There were so manyserenades and lovers meetings the early part of
the evening that I lost some ofmy rest, but not enough to hurt.

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The young knight smiled at his banterand then remarked, I had a
marvelous, sweet dream. Pray tellit to me. I am not able
to do that, for it cameto me as a song. Then sing
it, urged the cobbler. Whatis the good of my singing, replied
Walter moodily, tis not for meto sing upon this day above all others,

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when my song might have been ofsome service. Tut tut, my
friend said, Hans Socks, youmust not take things so hardly. We
may yet find some way of makingone of your songs count. Now do
you sing me this one? AndI will mark down the errors in it
and show you why they are errors. Thus you will soon learn, perchance

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how to sing a master song.But that soon will be too late.
Come let us have the song.So, while the cobbler took paper and
pen and prepared to set down thewords as well as the mistakes, Vaulter
began to sing. The morning dawnedwith rosy light, the centedd air with

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flowers rare. A vision of beautyrose to my sight, a garden,
a gleam. This was my dream, good good, said Hans Socks heartily.
That is all right. Now youmust be careful to have the next
stanza just like that the same numberof measures and beats. Vaulter began again.

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There in the garden stood a tree, a wondrous sight of rich delight,
its boughs full, fruited, wideand free, all golden did seem.
And this my dream upon my word, cried the cobbler, delightedly.
You have got the beginning of arare, good song there, and it
conforms to all the rules. Now, if you will complete it as well

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as you have begun it, andbe careful to keep the measures just as
I have set them down, youwill win the next contest you try.
But I have forgotten the rest ofmy dream, said Valter. Never mind,
perhaps it will come to you later, replied the cobbler, you have
made a fine start, and givinghim a few other suggestions, He then

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bade his guest come into the livingroom and dawn some festival finery. Valter
obeyed, though he felt anything butmerry over the occasion. While they were
absent from the room, who shouldcome in but Beckmesser. His vanity had
led him to come after his newshoes if perchance they were ready, And

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now, seeing that the shop wasempty, he began to prowl about to
see what he might discover. Soonhis eye lighted upon the fresh copy of
Verses which Hans Socks had left behindon the cobbler's bench. He read them,
saw their value, and decided topocket them to use for himself.
But the cobbler, returning just then, upset him somewhat, and he resolved

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to brazen it out. I thoughtyou said you were not going to take
part in the contest, said theclerk, blusteringly. I meant it,
I am not, replied hans Socksquietly. But I have proof that you
are what proof? Why this poemI have found on your bench? Hm?
Then how did it get into yourpocket? That doesn't matter. You

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were intending to use it against me, sputtered Beckmesser, a growing more and
more red in the face. No, I wasn't going to use it against
you, I repeat, I amnot going to sing. Beckmesser looked at
him a moment in a sly way, and then suddenly began to wheedle.
You and I have always been goodfriends. Here, Socks, I pray

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you to forgive me if I saidanything hasty. I expect I shall need
a good many shoes this winter.Now have you any objection to my using
this song? No, I haven'tany objection, replied han Socks with a
smile. And you won't claim itas yours? No, I won't claim
it as mine. You are agood hearted friend, cried the clerk,

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fairly hugging him in his delight,and then capering out of the door with
his verses. And you are anevil hearted fool, said Socks, looking
after him. But the pit youfall into will be of your own digging.
The cobbler knew that the clerk wouldnever be able to find the right
tune to fit the words, andthat he was liable to forget even the

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words, so he felt no uneasinesswhen Beckmesser took them away with him.
The next visitor to his workshop wasEva, looking very winsome in her festival
attire of white. She had comeover to see what had become of Vaulter,
though she had made another excuse forher errand herr socks. She said,

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answering his jovial greeting, I cameover to see what was the matter
with one of those shoes you finishedfor me last night. It does not
feel comfortable. She placed one smallfoot upon her rest, and the cobbler
knelt to see what was the matter, but he did not discover it until
Vaulter, dressed in the rich garbof a knight, entered the room.

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Ah. That is where the shoepinches, he exclaimed quietly, and willing
to allow the young people a fewminutes to themselves, he took off the
shoe and went chuckling to his lastwhere he began to hammer furiously, But
seeing that the two others were rathershy in his presence, he paused and

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looked up Mistress Eve. He said, I take back what I said about
this young man not being able tosing. He sang me a fine song
a while ago, but the lastpart was lacking. Perhaps he will sing
it for you through to the end. Thus, encouraged and looking at Ava
in the face, Walter began hissong again. He sang the first two

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stanzas just as the cobbler had setthem down. Then, gaining inspiration from
his sweetheart's presence, he added abeautiful third part, filled with the hopes
of love and desires of fame,lingered the stars and dance of delight,
and rested there upon the hair ofa maiden, lovely starbadite. The light

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of day had twofold ray, hereyes bright suns on me, shone down
with splendor, sweet and bliss complete. I saw her take her heavenly crown.
Both fame and love came from above. Ah, blessed was I with
joy extreme in love's sweet dream.Hark child exclaimed Socks to Ava, who

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had been listening, as if enchanted. That is a true master song.
Come put up your shoe. Doesn'tit feel better? You don't hear songs
like that every day, even inNuremberg. But Ava was so overcome with
her emotions that she leaned her headupon the good shoemaker's shoulder and burst into
tears. Tut tut, said heyou know that the song wasn't as bad

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as all that. And as foryou, master poet, rest easy about
the contest. Just put yourself inmy hands and we will see if we
cannot still show the guild a fewpoints about singing. Hark you, David
to his apprentice, who had enteredwhile the song was in progress. Bear
witness with us that this is anoriginal song belonging to Sir Valter and to

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none other. But you cannot bearwitness being an apprentice, So I herewith
make you a journeyman. He accompaniedthese words with a sound slap on the
ear, which was the quaint customof releasing apprentices, and David, overjoyed,
thanked him and hopped first on onefoot and then on the other,

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across the street to tell Lena hisgood fortune. We will now leave the
shoemaker's shop, where so many thingshave happened, and go with the throng
of merrymakers to a broad grassy meadowlying just outside of Nuremberg. The whole
town seems to be wending its waythere, the prentices and their lasses ribbon

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decked, dancing on ahead, theburghers and their wives walking more sedately in
the rear. These annual festivals werein fact noted for miles around, and
the news of Harpogner's offer on thepresent event was bringing record breaking crowds.
Before the singing began, a dancewas held upon the green. In and

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out the merry parties weaved in maypolefashion until a cry arose the master singers,
the master singers and everybody fell backrespectfully to make way for the members
of the guild. Two by twothey filed in, looking very important,
and taking seats reserved for them.Upon a stage. Last of all came
her Pogner, with his daughter,leaning upon his arm, and hans socks

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and vault. You may be surethere were many curious glances directed toward the
white robed girl whose hand had beenpromised to the victor of the day,
but she bore the ordeal bravely,I'll be it, blushingly. The handsome
night walking along with the shoemaker,also came in for his share of attention,

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and who can he be? Wason many lips, especially those of
the maidens Hans Socks was master ofceremonies for the day. He was one
of the most widely beloved men inall Nuremberg town so a hearty cheer went
up as he came to the frontof the platform to address the throng.
In a neat little speech, hetold the purpose of the festival and spoke

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of the high regard in which theoccasion had been held in the past.
He spoke of the conditions governing thecontest, and of the unusual prize offered
by his esteemed fellow townsmen and neighborto the victor of the day. At
this there was still louder cheering bythe crowd, and still more blushing on
the part of Eva. When theapplause subsided, the speaker concluded his remarks

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by saying that the contest was nowopen to anyone, and the first singer
to present himself would be listened to. As hans Socks ceased speaking and the
final applause ended, there was atremendous claiming of next to see who would
be the first candidate. With abow and a smirk, Beckmesser lost no

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time in coming forward. He wasdressed with fantastic care, and as he
clambered painfully up the steps to thesinger's platform, people nudged one another and
smiled. One purty young girl saidto another, what that old fool,
and the other replied, wonder whathis first wife would think of his capers.

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However, the town clerk did nothear any of these and other comments,
but began thrumming the harp he carriedby way of a prelude. Then
he lifted up his voice and sang. And such singing. He had tried
at the last moment to adapt atune of his own to Valter's poem.
The tune did not suit the words, and moreover, he had not had

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time to memorize them well, justas the shrewd cobbler had anticipated. He
stumbled in the lines and tried torefresh his memory by looking slyly at the
written copy he held in his harphand. The result was a strange jumble
of poem, song, and sense. So ludicrous was the ending that the

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people did not try to keep withinbounds, but laughed aloud right in the
unlucky singer's face. Beckmester was filledwith shame and rage at the way his
song had ended. Willing to putthe blame upon someone else if he could,
He threw the paper at socks feet, exclaiming, well, at any

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rate it was not my song.There is the man you have been ridiculing.
Your dear Hans Socks. The cobblerrose and quietly picked up the paper.
No, he said, this songis none of mine. Do you
deny rage the other that it isyour writing, and I found it in
your workshop. I do not denyit, but as I told you,

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I will not claim it is mine, for it is not. Then,
seeing that the people as well asBeckmester were interested in what he had to
say, he turned to them andtold them the true story of the song,
how that a young knight had composedand sung it to him only that
morning. He had merely written downthe words, which had later been seized

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upon by Beckmesser, who had nowtried to fit them to a tune of
his own. Beckmesser interrupted him.Here he saw that he himself was standing
upon very thin ice, and itbehooved him to bluster it out. A
pretty story, this, he cried. The young knight of whom he speaks
was publicly discredited. Before all areguilt only yesterday. He does not know

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how to write such a song asI have sung. Thank Heaven that he
doesn't, retorted Socks, amid generallaughter. In a moment, he continued,
Now I crave the indulgence of everyone here present. You have known
me to be just with every man. All I ask of you is to
be allowed to prove what I say. The true owner of this song is

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present here today and desires to singit in the contest. Then you shall
be the judge as to whether itbe his or beck Messrs. Yes,
Yes, let him come forward,came an answering shout. Hans Socks turned
and looked inquiringly at the members ofthe guild. They likewise nodded approval.

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Indeed, they could hardly have dareddo otherwise, even if they had been
so disposed in the face of thepopular desire. Then the Master ceremonies beckoned
to Vaulter, and every eye wasfashioned upon him while he rose, bowed
gracefully, and walked toward the stage. As for beck Messer, he took
advantage of the moment to slink awaywithout waiting for his rival, and he

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was not seen again that day.Before Walter began his song, hans Socks
gave the paper to members upon thestage. Masters, he said, I
pray you note well this song errorsand all, and see if it not
be indeed a master's song. Duringthe most intense silence, Balter opened his

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lips and began the refrain of themorning. The first two stanzas were sung
even more sweetly than he had sungthem before, while the third and fourth,
not even known to the clerk,proved a marvelously fitting clothes. As
the last notes of the harp diedaway to the thrill of his rich voice,
the audience, masters, burghers,prentices and all stood for a moment

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spellbound. Then, like the crashingof a mighty wave upon the shore,
the applause broke. They shouted,they cried, They clapped their hands,
they flung their hats into the air, even the most sedate of them,
while their joy seemed to know nobounds. For the master song had been

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sung. The event to this musicloving people would go down into history.
When order was in some measure restored, hans Socks asked if there was another
contestant. He did not need toask the verdict on the song. No
one else presented himself and Hirpagner,walking forward, publicly declared Walter mon Stultzen

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a master singer, and made hima member of the Guild of Nuremberg.
Personally, I am proud and delightedto welcome you among us and proclaim you
victor, he said genially. Andas to my daughter's hand, I leave
you to plead your cause with her. If she proves intractable, sing to

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her that will bring her if anything, I have already sunk to her,
and await my answer, said Walterclearly, her face radiant with rose color,
which but set off the sparkling lightin her eyes. Eva approached her
night and placed the laurel wreath uponhis head as he knelt there on the
step before her and the people.Once again, they fairly eclipsed all their

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previous efforts at applauding. Finally,it ended in a spontaneous note of admiration
love for Han Socks, who hadfound this rare singer for them and made
all things come about as they should. Hail socks, Han Socks, Hail
Nuremberg's beloved socks. They cried,and Ava and Vaulter, listening with tears

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of joy, felt that all thissea of sound, could not express a
hundredth part of the gratitude which welledup in their two happy hearts. End
a story eight