Throughout, the Poet spells 'Astrœa': probably Asteria ('Αστερια) were more accurate. Our text for these 'Hymnes' is, as in Nosce Teipsum, the edition of 1622: but throughout, compared with the first, as supra. Title-page in 1622 edition is as follows:
HYMNES
of
ASTREA
In Acrosticke Verse.
London
Printed by A. M. for Richard Hawkins.
1622. [8vo.]
With reference to Elizabeth who is so glorified in these 'Hymnes' as 'Astræa,' cf. the 'Conference between a Gentleman-Usher and a Post' in our Memorial-Introduction. I have since found that another copy of this interesting MS. is preserved among the Harleian MSS.: No. cclxxxvi fol. 248. I would here call attention to the correspondence between the metaphor of the Senses serving the Intellect in 'Nosce Teipsum' and in the 'Conference' as flatteringly descriptive of the position held by her 'ministers' to the Queen. In Davison's 'Rhapsody' the name for Elizabeth is Astræa. G.
[Hymnes to Astrœa.]
HYMNE I.
Of Astrœa.[168]
E arly before the day doth spring,
L et us awake my Muse, and sing;
I t is no time to slumber,
S o many ioyes this time doth bring,
A s Time will faile to number.
B ut whereto shall we bend our layes?
E uen vp to Heauen, againe to raise[169]
T he Mayd, which thence descended;
H ath brought againe the golden dayes,
A nd all the world amended.