Benjamin Britten — Hymn

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 Hesperus entreats thy light Goddess, goddess excellently bright Earth, let not thy envious shade Dare itself to interpose; Cynthia’s shining orb was made Heav’n to clear when day did close: Bless us then with wishèd sight 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 so-ever: Thou that mak’st a day of night Thou that mak’st a day of night Thou that mak'st Goddess, goddess, goddess, goddess excellently bright