QUEEN and huntress, chaste and fair,   Now the sun is laid to sleep, Seated in thy silver chair,   State in wonted manner keep:     Hesperus entreats thy light,     Goddess excellently bright.

Earth, let not thy envious shade   Dare itself to interpose; Cynthia's shining orb was made   Heaven to clear when day did close:     Bless us then with wished sight,     Goddess excellently bright.

Lay thy bow of pearl apart,   And thy crystal-shining quiver; Give unto the flying hart   Space to breathe, how short soever:     Thou that mak'st a day of night—     Goddess excellently bright.