Hymn+to+Diana

** Hymn to Diana **

//Ben Johnson //(1572 – 1637)

__From // Cynthia’s Revels // __

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.

<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Georgia,serif; vertical-align: baseline;">Lay thy bow of pearl apart

<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Georgia,serif; vertical-align: baseline;">And thy crystal-shining quiver;

<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Georgia,serif; vertical-align: baseline;">Give unto the flying hart

<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Georgia,serif; vertical-align: baseline;">Space to breathe, how short soever:

<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Georgia,serif; vertical-align: baseline;">Thou that makest a day of night,

<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Georgia,serif; vertical-align: baseline;">Goddess excellently bright.