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The aged crone keeps house alone, And reapers to the fields are gone; The active day so boon and bright, May bring good fortune ere the night.

Page. Leave off your morning songs, they come too late; My Lady hath been up these two good hours, And hath no heart to listen to your lays! You should have cheer'd her sooner.

1st. Sing. Her nightly vigils make the ev'ning morn. And thus we reckon'd time.

Page.Well, go ye now; Another day she'll hear your carols out.

Ul. Thou pleadest in vain: this night shall be the last.

Ter. Have patience, noble Ulrick; be assur'd, Hope, lacking nourishment, if left alone, Comes to a natural end. Then let Aurora, Night after night, upon the lofty cliff, Her beacon watch: despondency, ere long, Will steal upon the sad unvaried task.

Ul. Sad and unvaried! Aye; to sober minds So doth it seem indeed. I've seen a child, Day after day, to his dead hedgeling bring The wonted mess, prepared against its waking,