can only be
performed on a few very first rate stages, and it wants many hearings
to take in all its charm of instrumentation and its eminently modern
harmonies and intervals.

The text is very witty and very clever, and quite worthy of the music.
The story is taken from an old Dutch legend of rather free conception.
The scene is laid in Munich; it takes place at the summer solstice in
the far away middle-ages, or, as the author calls it "fabulous no-time."

{434}

The title has a double meaning as the explanation of the plot will show.

A band of merry children wanders from house to house, singing and
demanding wood for the bonfires of the summer solstice. After having
got a plentiful supply at the burgomaster's house, they cross over to
the opposite house, an old decayed building, called the Wizard's house.
Its inmate at first takes no notice of the children's noisy summons; at
last he appears at the door.

He, Kunrad, is a young dreamer, who has forgotten the outside world
over his books and studies. But the merry songs wake him suddenly to
life and sunshine. He gives up his whole house to the uproarious band,
beginning himself to tear down the battered shutters. The children set
to work to carry off every piece of wood, that is not too firmly
riveted, and Kunrad helps them full of glee.

Suddenly he perceives, Diemuth, the burgomaster's lovely daughter. His
hitherto perfectly untouched heart catches fire, and all at once he
steps up to her, presses her to his heart and kissing her he
passionately explains: "I will leap through the fire; wilt thou leap
after me?!"

Diemuth, who has all the time been gazing at the stranger like one in a
trance wakes up and turns from him with a cry of shame and indignation.

Kunrad is now attacked on all sides for his impertinence and Diemuth,
turning to her maiden friends, who secretly envy her for the adoration,
{435} the noble stranger has shown her, whispers into their ears, that
she will revenge herself for the disgrace he has brought upon her.

While the evening is setting in the citizens begin to wander out of
town to see the bonfires.

The burgomaster is obliged to walk away alone, after having vainly
tried to persuade his daughter to accompany him.

Diemuth steps into the house, and soon appears on the balcony, combing
her heir. Kunrad standing at his battered house-door renews his
protestations of love and begs her in passionate terms to let him in.
At f