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.

translated by M. J. Chapman