Page:Aratus The Phenomena and Diosemeia.pdf/59

51 Above his front, of human form divine, The scaled limbs of blazing Scorpio shine. Where in a horse his hinder quarters end, Above on zodiac line the Claws extend. In his right hand some beast he seems to bear— They say, an offering for the Altar near.

The next her giant length extends— Around the Centaur's head her tail she bends. Above her coiled back the Lion stands— Close o'er her glittering head dark Cancer hangs. On the mid coil a rests—below, As pecking at her skin, the crafty.

Beneath the Twins the portals of the east Dread bursts—though last, in splendour not the least.

These are the heavenly orbs that ever roll In their fix'd circles round the central pole.

Five other stars remain of various size, That lawless seem to wander through the skies. Hence call'd—yet still they ever run Through the twelve signs, the circuit of the sun. Thousands of ages come—thousands depart— Ere all return and meet where once they start. Rash the attempt for artless hand like mine To trace their orbits and their bounds define: 4–2