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 wishèd 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.