Hymn by Benjamin Britten Lyrics

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