ans!

HANS. [At window.] Yes, master.

SHOEMAKER. Sit here by the window with your work, I'm going out to
fulfil a civic duty.

HANS. Yes, master.

SHOEMAKER. If you don't watch out, I'll let the strap do a dance on your
back! Do you hear that, knave?

HANS. Yes, master.

[Enter Wagonmaker, with a banner.]

WAGONMAKER. 'Morning, Shoemaker.

SHOEMAKER. Good morning.

[Enter Chiropodist, with a laurel wreath.]

CHIROPODIST. Good morning, good morning. Shall we wait for the
burgomaster? I think we'd better hurry along, it's preparing for more
rain.

SHOEMAKER. That's just what I said to myself this morning, therefore I
was wise and brought my raincoat.

WAGONMAKER. The people should now assemble here and form a procession,
but I don't see a cat! Shoemaker, didn't you tell the printer that we
were to celebrate the Memorial Festival to-day?

SHOEMAKER. Why certainly, certainly!

WAGONMAKER. Will the gentlemen please form a semi-circle around the
object's pedestal--so!

CHIROPODIST. We might begin with the cantata--then perhaps the people
will come.

WAGONMAKER. I can't understand why the burgomaster isn't here? He always
treated us to brandy other years.

SHOEMAKER. If you start the song he'll wake up, if he has overslept
himself. Tune up, gentlemen--do, mi, sol, do!

WAGONMAKER. Then, I'll begin--but watch out for the trio so as to make
it a regular ear-splitting ensemble!

[Solo Recitative.]
Hail to thee, Burgomaster!
Hail to thee, benefactor!
Life burns our deeds within its envious fire,
But mem'ry, like a phoenix from the pyre,
Rises on stalwart wing to waft them higher.

SHOEMAKER. Well whistled, Wagonmaker! Any signs of the grog yet?

WAGONMAKER. Go on, Shoemaker! Now comes the aria; it must be rendered
with feeling. Then you shall see that the burgomaster will wake up!

SHOEMAKER. [Sings aria.]

ARIA.

The breath of the rose and carnation-bud's fragrance, 'mongst
wonder-flowers' fated!
As false at heart
As glitter-wave,
She held toward him her billowy hair,
Where all the ocean's freshness breathes.
And lily so red and lily so white
Confidingly muse on death and life.

CHIROPODIST. That was a rare strophe! But it doesn't seem to have any
special bearing upon the subject and our present conditions. Where did
you get it?

SHOEMAKER. Well, you see, I have an apprentice at home who is one of
your ideal