I

O Plasmatour and true celestial light,

Lord powerful, engirdled all with might,

Give my good-fellow aid in fools’ despite

Who stirs not forth this night,

And day comes on.

“Sst! my good fellow, art awake or sleeping?

Sleep thou no more. I see the star upleaping

That hath the dawn in keeping,

And day comes on!

“Hi! Harry, hear me, for I sing aright

Sleep not thou now, I hear the bird in flight

That plaineth of the going of the night,

And day comes on!

“Come now! Old swenkin! Rise up, from thy bed,

I see the signs upon the welkin spread,

If thou come not, the cost be on thy head.

And day comes on!

“And here I am since going down of sun,

And pray to God that is St. Mary’ s son,

To bring thee safe back, my companion.

And day comes on.

“And thou out here beneath the porch of stone

Badest me to see that a good watch was done,

And now thou’ lt none of me, and wilt have none

Of song of mine.”

( Bass voice from within. )

“Wait, my good fellow. For such joy I take

With her venust and noblest to my make

To hold embraced, and will not her forsake

For yammer of the cuckold,

Though day break.”

( Girart Bornello. )