| William Stanley Braithwaite, ed. The Book of Restoration Verse. 1910. | | | | To the Evening Star | | By 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 | 5 |
| 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; | 10 |
| 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, | 15 |
| Who lately stole my heart away. | | | | |
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