II

BEFORE THE CITY-GATE

(Pedestrians of all kinds come forth.)

SEVERAL APPRENTICES

Why do you go that way?

OTHERS

We’re for the Hunters’ lodge, to-day.

THE FIRST

We’ll saunter to the Mill, in yonder hollow.

AN APPRENTICE

Go to the River Tavern, I should say.

SECOND APPRENTICE

But then, it’s not a pleasant way.

THE OTHERS

And what will you?

A THIRD

As goes the crowd, I follow.

A FOURTH

Come up to Burgdorf?  There you’ll find good cheer,
The finest lasses and the best of beer,
And jolly rows and squabbles, trust me!

A FIFTH

You swaggering fellow, is your hide
A third time itching to be tried? 
I won’t go there, your jolly rows disgust me!

SERVANT-GIRL

No,—­no!  I’ll turn and go to town again.

ANOTHER

We’ll surely find him by those poplars yonder.

THE FIRST

That’s no great luck for me, ’tis plain. 
You’ll have him, when and where you wander: 
His partner in the dance you’ll be,—­
But what is all your fun to me?

THE OTHER

He’s surely not alone to-day: 
He’ll be with Curly-head, I heard him say.

A STUDENT

Deuce! how they step, the buxom wenches! 
Come, Brother! we must see them to the benches. 
A strong, old beer, a pipe that stings and bites,
A girl in Sunday clothes,—­these three are my delights.

CITIZEN’S DAUGHTER

Just see those handsome fellows, there! 
It’s really shameful, I declare;—­
To follow servant-girls, when they
Might have the most genteel society to-day!

SECOND STUDENT (to the First)

Not quite so fast!  Two others come behind,—­
Those, dressed so prettily and neatly. 
My neighbor’s one of them, I find,
A girl that takes my heart, completely. 
They go their way with looks demure,
But they’ll accept us, after all, I’m sure.

THE FIRST