I. Keep good watch, little watchman of the castle, since I have with me until the dawn the object which is most precious and lovely to me. The day comes, though I do not call it; I am robbed of a new embrace by the dawn, the dawn, alas the dawn!
II. Watch, friend, and keep guard and cry out and sing, for I am rich and have what I most desire. But I am angry with the dawn, and the loss which the day brings us irks me more than the dawn, the dawn, alas the dawn!
III. Be on your guard, little watchman of the tower, against the jealous one, your wretched master, more tiresome than the dawn, for here below we are discoursing of love. But we fear the dawn, the dawn, alas the dawn!
IV. Farewell, lady! I can no longer stay. Though unwilling, I must need depart. But my heart is heavy at the dawn, for I see it rising so swiftly. It would betray us, the dawn, the dawn, alas the dawn!
