Verses for the Lamentations to be sung at the Midnight Song: XII. On the Fast of Summer

Five verses.

Quickly now the days have lengthened—

Shining days of blazing summer—

Gladly now begin your fasting,

Let the harvest quickly ripen.

Then our feast will be more joyous,

And the night ablaze with laughter.

Quickly now the days have lengthened—

And the nights are short and merry.

Let us keep the Midnight Vigil,

Ere the morning, rosy shining,

Ends the sacred night of poets

Let us hymn the Lamentations.

Many sorrows, many winters

Have the Children of the Water

Wisdom taught, the way of sorrow,

Now we leave the days of winter

And the blooming maiden springtime.

Now the warmth of summer calls us.

Now the warmth of summer calls us,

Fair embrace of queenly summer,

Now we chastely go to meet her.

Going chastely, Children fasting

Go to dance upon the Waters,

Heal from Winter’s bitter sorrows.

Let us heal from Winter’s sorrow,

Let us chastely to the harvest

Come with dancing, slow and solemn.

High above us, shining chariot

Of the sun in Middle Heaven

Rules the days of happy summer.