The sentinel's nightsong

"I cannot and may not be merry;

when everyone is asleep,

I must keep watch,

and be mournful."

"Ah, lad, you shouldn't be sad,

for I will wait for you

in the rosegarden,

in the green clover."

"To the green clover, I do not come;

to the weapons garden,

full of halberds,

I have been posted."

"If you are in the battlefield, may God help you!

On God's blessing

is everything dependent,

he who believes it."

"He who believes it is far away.

He is a king,

he is an emperor,

and he makes war."

Halt! Who's there? Turn around! Stand back!

Who sang here? Who was singing this hour?

A solitary field sentinel

was singing at midnight.

Midnight! Field sentinel!