rt like a
glowing arrow, so that she could not help sighing deeply), then began
such a glorious song, in the tender "tone" of Heinrich Frauenlob, that
all the masters declared unanimously that none of them could surpass
this young journeyman.

When evening came, and the singing was over, Master Martin, by way of
thoroughly completing the enjoyment of the day, betook himself with
Rosa to the Common Meadow. Reinhold and Friedrich were allowed to go
with them. Rosa walked between the two. Friedrich, in a state of great
glorification by reason of the praise of the Master-singers, ventured,
in the intoxication of his blissfulness, on many a daring word, which
Rosa, drooping her eyes modestly, did not seem to wish to hear. She
turned the rather to Reinhold, who, after his wont, chattered and made
many a lively jest and sally, not hesitating to sling his arm round one
of hers. When they came where the young men were engaged in divers
athletic sports (some of them of knightly sort), they heard the people
crying, over and over again, "He has won again!--nobody can stand
before him! There! he wins again!--that strong one!" When Master Martin
had pressed his way through the crowd, he found that all this shouting
and acclamation were to the address of none other than his own
journeyman, Conrad, who had excelled everybody at running, boxing, and
throwing the javelin. Just as Master Martin came on the scene, Conrad
was challenging all-comers to a bout of fencing with blunted rapiers,
and several young patrician "bloods," skilled at this exercise,
accepted; but he very soon conquered them all, with little difficulty,
so that there was no end to the laudation of his strength and skill.

The sun had set; the evening sky was glowing red, and the twilight
rapidly falling. Master Martin, Rosa, and the two journeymen had seated
themselves beside a plashing fountain. Reinhold told many delightful
things concerning far-away Italy; but Friedrich gazed, silent and
happy, into Rosa's beautiful eyes. Then Conrad approached, with slow
and hesitating steps, as if he had not quite made up his mind whether
to join the others or not. So Master Martin called out: "Come along,
come along, Conrad! You have held your own bravely; just as I like my
journeymen to do. Don't be bashful, my lad; you have my full
permission." Conrad flashed a penetrating glance at the master, who was
nodding to him condescendingly, and said, in a hollow tone: "So far, I
have