Hymn to Diana
1573-1637
QUEEN and huntress, chaste and fair,
Now the sun is laid to sleep,
Seated in thy silver chair,
State in wonted manner keep:
Hesperus entreats thy light,
Goddess excellently bright.
Earth, let not thy envious shade
Dare itself to interpose;
Cynthia's shining orb was made
Heaven to clear when day did close:
Bless us then with wished sight,
Goddess excellently bright.
Lay thy bow of pearl apart,
And thy crystal-shining quiver;
Give unto the flying hart
Space to breathe, how short soever:
Thou that mak'st a day of night--
Goddess excellently bright.
DayPoems Poem No. 185
<a href="http://www.daypoems.net/poems/185.html">Hymn to Diana by Ben Jonson</a>
The DayPoems Poetry Collection, www.daypoems.net
Timothy Bovee, editor
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