Thomas Humphry Ward, ed. The English Poets. 1880–1918.rnVol. I. Early Poetry: Chaucer to Donne

Sir John Davies (1570–1626)

From Hymnes of Astraea, in Acrosticke Verse: To the Nightingale

E very night from even to morn,

L ove’s Chorister amid the thorn

I s now so sweet a singer;

S o sweet, as for her song I scorn

A pollo’s voice, and finger.

B ut Nightingale, sith you delight

E ver to watch the starry night;

T ell all the stars of heaven,

H eaven never had a star so bright,

A s now to Earth is given.

R oyal Astraea makes our day

E ternal with her beams, nor may

G ross darkness overcome her;

I now perceive why some do write,

N o country hath so short a night,

A s England hath in Summer.