Benjamin Jonson

Here you will find the Poem Hymn to Diana of poet Benjamin Jonson

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 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.