Page:Aratus The Phenomena and Diosemeia.pdf/44

36 And rivals jealous Cynthia's silver light, When in full power she rules the wintry night. His feet stamp Scorpio down—enormous beast— Crushing the monster's eye, and plaited breast. With outstretch'd arms he holds the serpent's coils: His limbs it folds within its scaly toils. With his right hand its writhing tail he grasps, Its swelling neck his left securely clasps. The reptile rears its crested head on high, Reaching the seven-starr'd crown in northern sky.

Beneath its coils the giant are found: Few are their stars—for splendour unrenown'd.

Hard on the traces of the greater Bear Presses in his swift career. 'Mong many gems more brilliant than the rest glows upon his belted waist. Through the long day he drives the Arctic Wain, And sinks reluctant in the western main.

Rising beneath Bootes' feet admire That beauteous form in maidenly attire. In her left hand a golden spike she bears: Glitter with sparkling gems her yellow hairs. Art thou, fair, daughter of that fam'd Immortal sage of old, Astræus nam'd, With skilful hand who mapp'd the starry sky, Plumbing its dark abyss with Philosophic eye?