I. I
Compleynt of a gentleman who has been waiting outside
for some time
OPLASMATOUR and true celestial light,
Lord powerful, engirdlèd 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 embracèd, and will not her forsake
For yammer of the cuckold,
Though day break."
(Girart Bornello.)
