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Home  »  The Book of Restoration Verse  »  George Stepney (1663–1707)

William Stanley Braithwaite, ed. The Book of Restoration Verse. 1910.

To the Evening Star

George Stepney (1663–1707)

BRIGHT Star! by Venus fixed above

To rule the happy realms of love;

Who in the dewy rear of day,

Advancing thy distinguished ray,

Dost other lights as far out-shine

As Cynthia’s silver glories thine;

Known by superior beauty there,

As much as Pastorella here.

Exert, bright star, thy friendly light,

And guide me through the dusky night;

Defrauded of her beams, the Moon

Shines dim, and will be vanished soon.

I would not rob the shepherd’s fold;

I seek no miser’s hoarded gold;

To find a nymph, I’m forced to stray,

Who lately stole my heart away.