Two hours before the dawning, while yet the night-stars gleam,
I wake me from my slumber, and plunge into the stream;
I look around and listen — the morning watch is mine —
I hear the beeches rustle, I hear the murmuring pine.

My comrades lie around me; but yet they do not sleep.
They call upon their captain — they call him and they weep;
" Up, up, Iotis! rouse thee — to battle with thy best!
The enemy are on us! — up, up, we may not rest!"

" What shall I say, my children? — how answer to your call?
This wound of mine is mortal; deep struck the deadly ball;
'Tis burning in my bosom — ye summon me in vain:
O! never in the combat my sword shall flash again!

" Your hands, my brave ones! raise me — once more erect I stand,
Once more ye gather round me, my true and trusty band!
Sounds not my voice as clearly as in the battle cry?
Then bring me wine, bright sparkling, that I may drink and die!

" O! were I on the mountains — the mountains wild and free!
Beside the upland forest, beneath the spreading tree;
To feel the breezes blowing, to hear the wild-bird's song,
And sheep-bells gaily jingling, as the white flock moves along!"

Two hours before the dawning, while yet the night-stars gleam,
I wake me from my slumber, and plunge into the stream;
I look around and listen — the morning watch is mine —
I hear the beeches rustle, I hear the murmuring pine.

My comrades lie around me; but yet they do not sleep.
They call upon their captain — they call him and they weep;
" Up, up, Iotis! rouse thee — to battle with thy best!
The enemy are on us! — up, up, we may not rest!"

" What shall I say, my children? — how answer to your call?
This wound of mine is mortal; deep struck the deadly ball;
'Tis burning in my bosom — ye summon me in vain:
O! never in the combat my sword shall flash again!

" Your hands, my brave ones! raise me — once more erect I stand,
Once more ye gather round me, my true and trusty band!
Sounds not my voice as clearly as in the battle cry?
Then bring me wine, bright sparkling, that I may drink and die!

" O! were I on the mountains — the mountains wild and free!
Beside the upland forest, beneath the spreading tree;
To feel the breezes blowing, to hear the wild-bird's song,
And sheep-bells gaily jingling, as the white flock moves along!"