Good Thought in the Morning

At four in the morning, summertime,

Continues still the sleep of love.

Beneath the groves dawn dries up

The smell of feasted night.

But over on the immense worksite

Toward the Hesperidean sun,

In their shirtsleeves, all the woodwrights

Have already begun.

In their mossy desert, peaceful,

They make wainscoting of price

Where the city’s riches easeful

Will laugh beneath faux skies.

Ah! for these charming Workers,

Subjects of royal Babylon,

Venus! leave awhile the Lovers,

Whose soul is circling on.

O Queen of Shepherds each!

Bring the workmen brandy soon,

That their strength may be at peace

While waiting for a bathe in the sea, at noon.

Arthur Rimbaud