Incantations Pt. 4
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 of Incantations Pt. 4 by Mike Oldfield are based on a poem by Ben Jonson. The song begins with a reference to the goddess Diana, also called Queen and huntress chaste and fair. She is described as sitting on a silver chair and keeping her state in a wanted manner. The lyrics then focus on the earth and ask it not to cast an envious shade on the shining orb of the moon, which was made to cheer up the heaven when the day closes.


The final stanza addresses the goddess Hesperus, who is the evening star and is asking her to bless us with her light. The lyrics express a wish to have a vision of the goddess, who can make a day of the night. The poem is an ode to the beauty of nature and the elements, with a focus on the light and how it affects the earth and its inhabitants.


Line by Line Meaning

Queen and huntress chaste and fair.
Addressing in admiration an idealized female figure who is both majestic and pure.


Now the sun is laid to sleep,
Referring to the sunset, a natural event that indicates the end of the day.


Seated in a silver chair,
Describing the image of the sun slowly disappearing below the horizon.


State in wanted manner keep.
Urging everything on earth to continue in their proper order and position.


Earth let not an envious shade
Appealing to the earth to not let any darkness or negativity interfere with the peaceful atmosphere of the sunset.


Dare itself to interpose.
Warning against any unnecessary disturbance or disruption of the tranquility of the moment.


Cynthia's shining orb was made
Referring to the moon as a heavenly body that can shine light on the earth during the night.


Heaven to cheer when day did close.
Highlighting the role of the moon in providing some comfort and warmth to the earth after the sun has set.


Lay the bow of pearl apart,
Advising Diana, the goddess of the hunt in Roman mythology, to put down her weapon made of pearls as the hunt is over for the day.


And the crystal-shining quiver,
Referring to the container of arrows that Diana carries with her when hunting, often depicted as being made of crystal to reflect her divine nature.


Give unto the flying heart
Encouraging everyone to let their inner spirit soar freely and without any restraint.


Space to breathe how short so ever
Asking for a moment of respite and relief, however brief it may be, from the challenges and stresses of everyday life.


Hesperus entreats thy light
Invoking the evening star, Hesperus, to urge and entreat the bright goddess (likely Diana or Cynthia from earlier) to spread her light and blessings upon the earth.


Goddess excellently bright.
Reiterating the earlier descriptions of this feminine figure as an exceptional, radiant presence.


Bless us then with wished sight
Asking for a blessing in the form of a clear vision or insight, perhaps to see the world in a brighter light.


Thou who makes a day of night.
Acknowledging the deity's power to bring light and positivity to the world, even in the darkest moments.




Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: MIKE OLDFIELD

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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