Oxford Book of English Verse, Part 2 by  Arthur Quiller-Couch

Hymn to Diana

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 wishéd 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.

— Ben Jonson
1573-1637   


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