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Before The Gate
Before The Gate
Promenaders of all sorts pass out.
Artisans
Why choose ye that direction, pray?
Others
To the hunting - lodge we`re on our way.
The First
We towards the mill are strolling on.
A Mechanic
A walk to Wasserhof were best.
A Second
The road is not a pleasant one.
The Others
What will you do?
A Third
I`ll join the rest.
A Fourth
Let`s up to Burghof, there you`ll find good cheer,
The prettiest maidens and the best of beer,
And brawls of a prime sort.
A Fifth
You scapegrace! How;
Your skin still itching for a row?
Thither I will not go, I loathe the place.
Servant Girl
No, no! I to the town my steps retrace.
Another
Near yonder poplars he is sure to be.
The First
And if he is, what matters it to me!
With you he`ll walk, he`ll dance with none but you,
And with your pleasures what have I to do?
The Second
To - day he will not be alone, he said
His friend would be with him, the curly - head.
Student
Why how those buxom girls step on!
Come, brother, we will follow them anon.
Strong beer, a damsel smartly dress`d,
Stinging tobacco, - these I love the best.
Burgher`s Daughter
Look at those handsome fellows there!
`Tis really shameful, I declare,
The very best society they shun,
After those servant girls forsooth, to run.
Second Student (to the first)
Not quite so fast! for in our rear,
Two girls, well - dress`d, are drawing near;
Not far from us the one doth dwell,
And sooth to say, I like her well.
They walk demurely, yet you`ll see,
That they will let us join them presently.
The First
Not I! restraints of all kinds I detest.
Quick! let us catch the wild - game ere it flies,
The hand on Saturday the mop that plies,
Will on the Sunday fondle you the best.
Burgher
No, this new Burgomaster, I like him not, God knows,
Now, he`s in office, daily more arrogant he grows;
And for the town, what doth he do for it?
Are not things worse from day to day?
To more restraints we must submit;
And taxes more than ever pay.
Beggar (sings)
Kind gentleman and ladies fair,
So rosy - cheek`d and trimly dress`d,
Be pleas`d to listen to my prayer,
Relieve and pity the distress`d.
Let me not vainly sing my lay!
His heart`s most glad whose hand is free.
Now when all men keep holiday,
Should be a harvest - day to me.
Another Burgher
On holidays and Sundays naught know I more inviting
Than chatting about war and war`s alarms,
When folk in Turkey, up in arms,
Far off, are `gainst each other fighting.
We at the window stand, our glasses drain,
And watch adown the stream the painted vessels gliding
Then joyful we at eve come home again,
And peaceful times we bless, peace long - abiding.
Third Burgher
Ay, neighbour! So let matters stand for me!
There they may scatter one another`s brains,
And wild confusion round them see -
So here at home in quiet all remains!
Old Woman (to the Burghers` Daughters)
Heyday! How smart! The fresh young blood!
Who would not fall in love with you?
Not quite so proud! `Tis well and good!
And what you wish, that I could help you to.
Burgher`s Daughter
Come, Agatha! I care not to be seen
Walking in public with these witches. True,
My future lover, last St. Andrew`s E`en,
In flesh and blood she brought before my view.
Another
And mine she show`d me also in the glass,
A soldier`s figure, with companions bold;
I look around, I seek him as I pass,
In vain, his form I nowhere can behold.
Soldiers
Fortress with turrets
And walls high in air,
Damsel disdainful,
Haughty and fair,
There be my prey!
Bold is the venture,
Costly the pay!
Hark how the trumpet
Thither doth call us,
Where either pleasure
Or death may befall us.
Hail to the tumult!
Life`s in the field!
Damsel and fortress
To us must yield.
Bold is the venture,
Costly the pay!
Gaily the soldier
Marches away.
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