Page:The Hundred Best Poems (lyrical) in the English language - second series.djvu/82

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ROBERT HERRICK.

And after they have shown their pride
Like you, awhile, they glide
Into the grave.

Palgrave's Text.


36.
Song from "Cynthia's Revels."

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.

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