The Crowne of All Homers Workes/To Diana (2)

by Homer

 

To Diana.

iana, (that the Golden Spyndle, moues;
And loftie soundes, as wel as Bacchus loues
A bashfull Virgine, and of fearefull hearts
The Death-affecter, with delighted Darts;
By Sire, and Mother, Phœbus Sister borne;
Whose Thigh, the Golden Falchion doth adorne)
I sing; who, likewise, ouer Hills of shade,
And Promontories, that vast windes muade;
(Amorous of Hunting) bends her all-gold Bowe;
And sigh-begetting Arrows doth bestowe,
In fates so dreadfull; that the Hill-Tops quake;
And Bristlde woods, their leauie foreheads shake;
Horrors inuade Earth; and fishie Seas
Impassiond furies; nothing can appeare
The dying Braies of Beasts; and her Delight
In so much Death, affects so with affright,
Euen all inanimate natures. For while shee
Her sports applies; Their generall Progenie
Shee all waies, turnes vpon, to All their Banes:
Yet, when her fierie Pleasures finde their wanes;
(Her yeelding Bowe unbent) to th'ample House
(Seated in Delphos, rich, and Populous)
Of her deare Brother, her Retreats aduance.
Where, Th'Instauration of delightsome Dance
Amongst the Muses, and the Graces, shee
Giues forme; In which, her selfe the Regencie
(Her vnbent Bowe hung up; and casting on
A gracious Robe) assumes; and first sets gone
The Dances Entrie; to which, all send forth
Their heauenly voices; and aduance the worth
Of her faire-anckl'd Mother; since, to light
Shee Children brought, the farr most exquisite
In Counsailes, and Performances; of all
The Goddesses, that grace the heauenly Hall.
 Haile then, Latona's faire-hayrd seede, & Ioues;
 My song shall euer, call to Minde your Loues.