Song of the Awakening

Awake, son, sleep no longer!
Awake, for you have slept too much,
        Come on, wake up, my darling.
        Arise, for you've been dozing.
A group of shepherds is coming
In a procession to visit you,
        Listen to them dance and sing,
        Causing the earth and sea to ring.
Drones and flutes,
Reeds and pipes,
        Playing in fair harmony,
        Oh, what verse for your refreshment!
Hearken, son, and enjoy it,
Bless them with these hands of yours,
        Look at all the presents they have for you,
        All the herds that they have brought you,
Touch with your palm this little lambkin,
How white it is, like cotton!
        And how soft this pale cheese!
        See, the shepherds fetched it for you.
The kid with these goats
Was carried by that 'black-mouthed' fellow,
        And the sheep covered in wool
        Was led by that 'woolly-legged' chap.
How sweet is this honeycomb,
Nikolla was here and offered it.
        Milëkoci sent some giuncata,
        Get up, son, and we'll have it together,
It's a kind of cheese that shepherds eat.
A bird that looks like a lark
        And a wild dove
        And more fresh cheese from Ngjisku.
Up with you, my son, awaken and taste it,
And bless the shepherds.
        Now a group of worshippers has arrived,
        Singing folk ballads,
Look, son, and enjoy them,
Wake up, for you have had your nap.
        Judith is coming with a rooster
        And has struck up a song.
Ephigenia has brought a cap,
A cabbage pie and a kid goat.
        Malita has lugged a capon,
        And her sister has got a peacock.
Five lengths of ribbon
Have been given by the widow Rutiçela.
        Her daughter's brought some chestnuts,
        Chaffinches and some blackbirds.
Rachel's sporting a belt
To tie around your waist.
        Look what Deborah has for you,
        A bread roll and a cake made with grape juice.
A length of embroidery
Was borne by Susana this morning.
        Sunamita has come with difficulty,
        But brings you a fine mantilla.
With great joy Magdalena
Bears for you a scarlet wrap.
        Eve has come, but without vigour,
        And has for you a fair piece of cloth.
Elizabeth has brought a cross,
Her sister a wallet.
        Lia has some diapers
        And Serafina some eggs.
Noemea, the one who shouts,
Has proffered a scarf and a sash,
        And Sorana, as far as she was able,
        Has packed for you a lace shirt.
Three other peasants
Have donated you grapes and a piece of cake.
        A girl who just says "koka"
        Gave you raisins and some peaches.
And Dilusha, who is married,
Has brought a tiara for me.
        Rebeluça, that poor maiden,
        Offers you her heart in her hands,
And Belina, who was pious,
Filched some fruit from Acri.
        Martha says that the day after tomorrow,
        Her mother will give you some cheese.
Look at everything and bless the gifts and their givers,
Awake, son, sleep no longer!