To the Evening Star
by: Bion of Smyrna (2nd to 1st century B.C.)
translated by M. J. Chapman
Hesper! Sweet Aphrodite's golden light!
Hesper! Bright ornament of swarthy Night,
Inferior to the Moon's clear sheen as far,
As thou outshinest every other star;
Dear Hesper, hail! And give thy light to me,
Leading the festive shepherd company.
For her new course today began the moon,
And is already set--O much too soon!
'Tis not for impious theft abroad I stir,
Nor to way-lay the nightly traveller.
I love; and thou, bright star of love! shouldst lend
The lover light--his helper and his friend.
