Ben Jonson

from

Cynthia's Revels, Act V., Sc. vi.

THE HYMN OF HESPERUS

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 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.


Source:
The Songs and Poems of Ben Jonson.
London: Philip Allan & Co., 1924. 4.


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