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Home  »  The Oxford Book of English Verse  »  184. Hymn to Diana

Arthur Quiller-Couch, ed. 1919. The Oxford Book of English Verse: 1250–1900.

Ben Jonson. 1573–1637

184. 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,         5
    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:  10
    Bless us then with wishèd sight, 
    Goddess excellently bright. 
 
Lay thy bow of pearl apart, 
  And thy crystal-shining quiver; 
Give unto the flying hart  15
  Space to breathe, how short soever: 
    Thou that mak’st a day of night— 
    Goddess excellently bright.