Page:Aratus The Phenomena and Diosemeia.pdf/55

Rh Men call him —for his blasting breath Dries mortals up in pestilence and death. When, following hard upon the God of day, He darts through field and grove his parching ray; The face of Nature scorch'd and blister'd lies, And beauteous Flora withers—pines—and dies. But luscious juice the bursting grapes distil; And golden stores the reaper's bosom fill.

Up from the east the before him flies— Close he pursues her through the southern skies. Nearer he cannot reach—farther she cannot strain– And close they plunge into the western main.

Near to the quarters of Orion's hound Steers through the azure vault her nightly round The far-fam'd ship, in which bold Jason's crew First dar'd dark ocean's trackless path pursue. When a swift vessel ploughs her watery way, With forward prow she meets the dashing spray; But when deep-laden back from distant land She comes, with forward poop a clamorous band Of joyous sailors haul her to the strand. And thus, with forward poop and prow reverse The heavenly steers her westward course. O'er half her length a shroud of darkness cast— Some splendid stars illume her head and mast.