Incantations Part Four
Mike Oldfield Lyrics


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Queen and huntress chaste and fair.
Now the sun is laid to sleep,
Seated in a silver chair,
State in wanted manner keep.

Earth let not an envious shade
Dare itself to interpose.
Cynthia's shining orb was made
Heaven to cheer when day did close.

Lay the bow of pearl apart,
And the crystal-shining quiver,
Give unto the flying heart
Space to breathe how short so ever

Hesperus entreats thy light
Goddess excellently bright.




Bless us then with wished sight
Thou who makes a day of night.

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Mike Oldfield's song 'Incantations Part Four' are inspired by the poem 'Hymn to Diana' by Ben Jonson. The poem is dedicated to the goddess Diana, who was revered by the ancient Romans as the patroness of the hunt, the moon, and childbirth, among other things. In the first stanza, the lyrics invoke Diana as the "queen and huntress chaste and fair" and describe the sun as "laid to sleep" and the moon as "seated in a silver chair". The singer implores Diana to maintain her regal composure and "state in wanted manner keep", while also asking the earth not to cast an "envious shade" that might obscure the moon's radiance.


The second stanza continues to praise Diana's celestial splendor, calling her "Goddess excellently bright" and invoking the star Hesperus (the evening star) to join in tribute. The singer then requests a blessing from Diana, asking her to grant them "wished sight" and make "a day of night" - perhaps referring to the idea that the moon and stars provide guidance and comfort during darkness. The stanza ends with an image of Diana laying down her bow and quiver, offering "space to breathe" to the "flying heart" (perhaps a metaphor for the soul or spirit).


Overall, the lyrics to 'Incantations Part Four' reflect a sense of awe and reverence toward the natural world and its mystical forces, embodied in the figure of Diana. They also convey a desire for illumination, both literal and metaphorical, as the singer seeks to be blessed with insight and understanding.


Line by Line Meaning

Queen and huntress chaste and fair.
Addressing the moon goddess and her attributes of purity and beauty.


Now the sun is laid to sleep,
Referring to the sunset and the end of daytime.


Seated in a silver chair,
Describing the sun's position in the sky at sunset.


State in wanted manner keep.
Asking the moon to maintain her beautiful appearance and image.


Earth let not an envious shade
Urging the earth to not cast a shadow of jealousy on the moon's radiance.


Dare itself to interpose.
Warning the earth to not interfere with the moon's glow.


Cynthia's shining orb was made
Referring to the moon as Cynthia and emphasizing her luminous beauty.


Heaven to cheer when day did close.
Stating that the moon was created to bring light and joy during nighttime.


Lay the bow of pearl apart,
Advising the moon to put away her weapons, signifying peace.


And the crystal-shining quiver,
Referring to the moon's quiver filled with glittering stars.


Give unto the flying heart
Encouraging the moon to inspire freedom in the hearts of those who gaze upon her.


Space to breathe how short so ever
Granting people a respite from the constraints of the world, even if just for a moment.


Hesperus entreats thy light
Hesperus, the evening star, asks the moon for her radiance to continue shining.


Goddess excellently bright.
Acknowledging the moon's beauty and divine attributes.


Bless us then with wished sight
Asking the moon to bless us with the ability to see her well.


Thou who makes a day of night.
Highlighting the moon's ability to bring light in the darkness of night.




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: MIKE OLDFIELD

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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