HYMN TO DIANA
Reading edition
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 Heav’n 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. B. Jonson.