The Nurse's Watch

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  From 'The Boy's Wonderhorn'


  The moon it shines,
  My darling whines;
  The clock strikes twelve:--God cheer
  The sick both far and near.
  God knoweth all;
  Mousy nibbles in the wall;
  The clock strikes one:--like day,
  Dreams o'er thy pillow play.
  The matin-bell
  Wakes the nun in convent cell;
  The clock strikes two:--they go
  To choir in a row.
  The wind it blows,
  The cock he crows;
  The clock strikes three:--the wagoner
  In his straw bed begins to stir.
  The steed he paws the floor,
  Creaks the stable door;
  The clock strikes four:--'tis plain
  The coachman sifts his grain.
  The swallow's laugh the still air shakes,
  The sun awakes;
  The clock strikes five:--the traveler must be gone,
  He puts his stockings on.
  The hen is clacking,
  The ducks are quacking;
  The clock strikes six:--awake, arise,
  Thou lazy hag; come, ope thy eyes.
  Quick to the baker's run;
  The rolls are done;
  The clock strikes seven:--
  'Tis time the milk were in the oven.
  Put in some butter, do,
  And some fine sugar, too;
  The clock strikes eight:--
  Now bring my baby's porridge straight.

© Clemens Maria Brentano