[ENSEMBLE]
Four o'clock
It will soon be four

[IRINA, spoken]
Umfundisi!

[STEPHEN, spoken]
Yes, Irina?

[IRINA, spoken]
Mother has fallen asleep. She meant to sit and watch with you at this hour, and she has been awake 'til only now, but now she sleeps. 

[STEPHEN, spoken]
We won't wake her, Irina. If she sleeps and the hour goes past, then at least it will be past. 

[IRINA, spoken]
Even in her sleep she reaches for my hand. 

[STEPHEN, spoken]
Sit beside her, Irina, if you can. 

[IRINA, spoken]
Yes, I can. 

[STEPHEN, spoken]
My daughter, I'm glad he found you and not some other. 
[IRINA, spoken]
I'm glad he found me, my father. 

[ENSEMBLE]
Four o'clock
It will soon be four

[LEADER]
Why do they choose the morning
The morning, when men sleep sound?

[ENSEMBLE]
Four o'clock
It will soon be four

[STEPHEN, spoken]
If thеy would kill me instead, Absalom would make a good man. But it will nеver be. He is waiting now. Sleep, oh Mother. Sleep sound. Soon Absalom will sleep.