[ MP ] The Parting Glass

`` Sing me a song Dieter.'' Queen Malvina leans back on her chaise longue, smiling slightly in expectation. 
 
 Her late-night companion swings his legs over the upholstered armrest of his chair, running a hand through his hair. He turns his head to face her, firelight flickering on his face. `` What would you like your majesty? A new song perhaps?'' 
 
 She shakes her head, locks of raven hair falling in front of her eyes before she brushes them aside. `` No, no. I, I was thinking something else. Do have any songs from... you know, before you came here? Maybe something melancholy?'' 
 
 A wistful look crosses Dieter's face. `` Let's see... yes,'' he says softly. `` I can do that.'' He stares out into the dancing flames of the fireplace, silent for a minute before his lips part. 
 
 `` If I could read, I would sit down, 
 
 and read the letters that my lover wrote, 
 
 and if I was able to ever write, 
 
 I would to my true love by candlelight...'' 
 
 
 `` But I can not write, and can not read! 
 
'Better working than learning, was my father's creed. 
 
 And so I sit, with letter's unread, 
 
 and unable to tell, she should expect me dead...'' 
 
 
 `` I now am here, on the battlefield. 
 
 My faith is my sword, and her love's my shield. 
 
 But they use muskets, and the cannon ball, 
 
 And so it is here, that I will fall...'' 
 
 
 
 `` I will stare out, with glassy eyes. 
 
 The crows'll eat my body, and so will the flies... 
 
 Besides my comrades I do now lay, 
 
 For thousands of men, this was our last day...'' 
 
 
 
 `` I will miss the birds in springtime, 
 
 I'll miss the leaves in fall... 
 
 But of all things that I will miss, 
 
 I'll miss you most of all..'' 
 
 
 Dieter finishes softly, letting the last note evaporate into the air. Malvina leans over and places her hand over his. He looks up. A sad smile graces her face. `` Thank you. It was lovely. Do you think you'd be up for another song? Perhaps something more cheerful?'' 
 
 He returns her smile. `` Gladl-'' He clears his throat, his voice hoarse. `` Gladly.'' The night drifts on. 

