The Mastersingers: "Wahn" Monologue [in English] Thomas Stewart (1980)

Lawrence Foster, Houston Symphony Orchestra
(Recorded 14th March, 1980, Jones Hall, Houston)
Hans Sachs - Thomas Stewart
The production was by Patrick Bakman. The stage designs and costumes were by Carl Toms. The English translation was by Frederick Jameson, with substantial revisions by Norman Feasey, Kate Pogue and Sterling Tinsley.
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The complete performance can be found here:
• Wagner: The Mastersing...
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Fools! Fools!
Everywhere fools!
Wherever I may look
in all of these great books,
I cannot find the answer,
why man from age to age
destroys himself and his neighbour
in useless, angry rage!
He cannot find
reward from this,
yet, while he flees,
he thinks he's pursuing,
hears not his cries of fear and pain;
while tearing his own flesh, he claims
he does it for his pleasure!
Who gives this thing a name?
It's madness just the same,
and no-one will defy it:
we cannot live without it!
One thinks it's gone,
it sleeps to regain strength, you'll see;
soon it will awake,
and then who will it's master be?
How peaceful and contented,
with honour, song and work,
the heart of this my fatherland,
beloved Nuremberg!
One quiet, balmy night,
two lovers are eloping,
a cobbler sees this, and knowing
that this must never be,
the shoemaker, while he's working,
starts all the madness rolling:
how quickly throughout the city-
this madness shows no pity-
man, wife and child, without thinking
it seems, they all go mad;
they seem to lose all reason,
just one thing will appease them;
the raining blows of others
their pious fury smothers-
God knows what brought it on!
A demon cast a spell;
a glowworm could not find his mate;
before he did, it was too late-
the lilac's scent: Johannis Eve!
But now we have Johannis Day!
So let us see what Sachs can do
to make this madness and this rage
now help a cause that is just;
then if it comes to us,
yes, here in Nuremberg,
we know it's ?????????????
that causes ???? to bring us gladness,
must have just a touch of madness.
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"Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg" ("The Mastersingers of Nuremberg") is a comic opera in three acts by Richard Wagner, with a German libretto by the composer. It was first performed at the Royal Court and National Theatre in Munich on 21st June, 1868.