HYMN
(Ben Jonson)

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,
Hesperus entreats thy light,
Goddess, goddess, goddess, excellently bright.

Earth, let not they 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,
Bless us then with wished sight,
Goddess, goddess, goddess, excellently bright.

Lay thy bow of pearl apart;
And thy crystal shining quiver;
give unto the flying hart
Space to breathe, how short so ever:

Thou that mak’st a day of night,
Thou that mak’st a day of night,
Thou that mak’st,
Thou,
Goddess, goddess, goddess, excellently bright.