HYMN TO CYNTHIA

by: Ben Jonson (1572-1637)

      UEEN 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 wishèd 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.

"Hymn to Cynthia" is reprinted from Cynthia's Revels (1600).

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