Star , whose fair light doth more and more excel
As light grows dimmer; but at birth of sun,
O'ertaken by the flame thou didst forerun,
Fadest as things obscure grow visible:
Men call thee Star of Love, and name thee well,
Thinking on tenderness of Love begun
'Neath throbbing Hesper, or in dawn undone
At beckoning Phosphor's sign inexorable.
And light of Love is like the light of thee,
Paired not with peer among the immortal host,
Or partner with a less transcendent flame;
Brightest when all around him darkens most,
Throned o'er the land and bosomed in the sea,
For from Sea's bosom anciently he came.
As light grows dimmer; but at birth of sun,
O'ertaken by the flame thou didst forerun,
Fadest as things obscure grow visible:
Men call thee Star of Love, and name thee well,
Thinking on tenderness of Love begun
'Neath throbbing Hesper, or in dawn undone
At beckoning Phosphor's sign inexorable.
And light of Love is like the light of thee,
Paired not with peer among the immortal host,
Or partner with a less transcendent flame;
Brightest when all around him darkens most,
Throned o'er the land and bosomed in the sea,
For from Sea's bosom anciently he came.