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decide, for you to choose and for you to find out. I have already chosen my own path, and I walk it with song. You know, in our guild it is understood that in order for a man to become a true Meistersinger he must be able to create a song inan instant from thin air, from nothing at all, a song that has never before existed.â Kilian spoke with enthusiasm. Gerdrud was now quite close, although she still did not turn her head to acknowledge him.
âAnd can you perform that art, Kilian Rechpergerin?â Katrine enquired.
âAs I said, I am merely a travelling journeyman. My skill is not yet that of a true Meistersinger.â
âDo not be so modest, Kilian. We heard how you sang just now.â
âThen tell us, would you be able to conjure up your own song out of thin air just now?â
âOr one about something that you see and which is pleasing to you?â
âOh, but do I not always sing of what pleases me and of what is dear to my heart? Can one ever sing of anything else?â Kilian asked wistfully.
But the girls pushed him further. Kilian only feigned resistance; he was simply waiting.
âThen sing, Kilian. You are supposed to wander and sing to everyone,â Birgitta commanded.
âVery well, I will sing,â the boy retorted. âBut of what?â
âSing about something â no, sing rather of nothing at all. Yes, exactly, sing your own new song about nothing at all,â the girls clamoured.
âOf nothing at all? Fine, then I will sing,â Kilian acquiesced. Gerdrud was very close now and had to be within earshot. Kilian did not see that Melchior and Dorn had stopped for a moment at the foot of the hill. Dorn was still explaining some matter to his assistants, but Melchior had started up the hill. He raised his hand to Kilian in greeting and stopped to hear the song.
âHere is a song about nothing at all
It speaks not of I nor of any other
Not of love, nor of youth
Or of anything else, of nothing at all
It materialized before me while I slept
Galloping on its horse in solitude
I have no inkling of when I was born
I am neither happy nor angry
I am not a stranger here
And I have no place here
I am I to do
A mountain fairy cursed me like this
I do not know whether I sleep or I wake
My heart is nearly broken, Iâm in such despair
Yet I care for this not, not with half of my finger
I have fallen in love with someone, I know not who she is
Because I have never seen her
Never in all of eternity has she made me glad or dejected
And I care not for this
I have never seen her, yet I love her so deeply
She has done for me not what she should nor what is forbidden
When I do not see her I am happy
I do not care for her in the least
For I know someone who is kinder and finer and richer as well
I know not where she lives
Whether above in the mountains or on flat plains
It would be too painful to tell her how she tortures me
And also too painful to remain
Hence I will depart
Here is my song
I know not what it concerns
I send it off to someone
Who will send it with someone else to someone in Nuremburg
Perhaps this person can send me a key from my small chest with which I might solve this puzzle.â
Gerdrud passed Kilian as if the boy were not even there. Melchior, however, listened to the end with interest and then cantered off after the Magistrate.
9
TOOMPEA, SMALL CASTLE OF THE ORDER
16 MAY, MIDDAY
M ELCHIOR WAITED NEAR the Town Hall briefly while Dorn tracked down the court servants, the assistant scribe and the town advocate, berated them all and then ordered them to head to Toompea. There were two roads that led from Lower Town up to Toompea. The larger, grander road, used by draft horses and livestock, was called Pikk Mägi or Long Hill. This started at the end of Rataskaevu Street close to the Town Hall and passed through a gate tower built during Melchiorâs youth. The other, Väike Mägi, or Short Hill, had a
âAnd can you perform that art, Kilian Rechpergerin?â Katrine enquired.
âAs I said, I am merely a travelling journeyman. My skill is not yet that of a true Meistersinger.â
âDo not be so modest, Kilian. We heard how you sang just now.â
âThen tell us, would you be able to conjure up your own song out of thin air just now?â
âOr one about something that you see and which is pleasing to you?â
âOh, but do I not always sing of what pleases me and of what is dear to my heart? Can one ever sing of anything else?â Kilian asked wistfully.
But the girls pushed him further. Kilian only feigned resistance; he was simply waiting.
âThen sing, Kilian. You are supposed to wander and sing to everyone,â Birgitta commanded.
âVery well, I will sing,â the boy retorted. âBut of what?â
âSing about something â no, sing rather of nothing at all. Yes, exactly, sing your own new song about nothing at all,â the girls clamoured.
âOf nothing at all? Fine, then I will sing,â Kilian acquiesced. Gerdrud was very close now and had to be within earshot. Kilian did not see that Melchior and Dorn had stopped for a moment at the foot of the hill. Dorn was still explaining some matter to his assistants, but Melchior had started up the hill. He raised his hand to Kilian in greeting and stopped to hear the song.
âHere is a song about nothing at all
It speaks not of I nor of any other
Not of love, nor of youth
Or of anything else, of nothing at all
It materialized before me while I slept
Galloping on its horse in solitude
I have no inkling of when I was born
I am neither happy nor angry
I am not a stranger here
And I have no place here
I am I to do
A mountain fairy cursed me like this
I do not know whether I sleep or I wake
My heart is nearly broken, Iâm in such despair
Yet I care for this not, not with half of my finger
I have fallen in love with someone, I know not who she is
Because I have never seen her
Never in all of eternity has she made me glad or dejected
And I care not for this
I have never seen her, yet I love her so deeply
She has done for me not what she should nor what is forbidden
When I do not see her I am happy
I do not care for her in the least
For I know someone who is kinder and finer and richer as well
I know not where she lives
Whether above in the mountains or on flat plains
It would be too painful to tell her how she tortures me
And also too painful to remain
Hence I will depart
Here is my song
I know not what it concerns
I send it off to someone
Who will send it with someone else to someone in Nuremburg
Perhaps this person can send me a key from my small chest with which I might solve this puzzle.â
Gerdrud passed Kilian as if the boy were not even there. Melchior, however, listened to the end with interest and then cantered off after the Magistrate.
9
TOOMPEA, SMALL CASTLE OF THE ORDER
16 MAY, MIDDAY
M ELCHIOR WAITED NEAR the Town Hall briefly while Dorn tracked down the court servants, the assistant scribe and the town advocate, berated them all and then ordered them to head to Toompea. There were two roads that led from Lower Town up to Toompea. The larger, grander road, used by draft horses and livestock, was called Pikk Mägi or Long Hill. This started at the end of Rataskaevu Street close to the Town Hall and passed through a gate tower built during Melchiorâs youth. The other, Väike Mägi, or Short Hill, had a
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