Hour

The HOUR smiles upon me now and plays the siren:

All is light from the day the same which I see never:

Wilt thou dance a long time, Beam, upon the square

Of the soul dark and sovereign?

Behold the HOUR, thirst, wellspring and also siren.

For thee, times past burn, HOUR that me sates;

Finally, lone splendor, o goods that I have taken

I love the thing I am: my solitude is queen!

My most secret demons, freely set in chains

Accomplish in the gold of where I live the air

A wisdom that is pure with advice utterly clear:

My presence is completely serene.

Behold the HOUR thirst, wellspring and also siren,

Wilt thou dance a long time, beam, upon the square

Of evening, before the black eye of my night that’s sovereign?

Paul Valéry