Page:Aratus The Phenomena and Diosemeia.pdf/60

52 My easier task the circles to rehearse Of the fix’d stars, and trace Sol's annual course.

If with admiring ken some cloudless night, When no full moon obtrudes her jealous light, To the high Heavens thou lift the starry eye, A radiant girdle belts the azure sky— A pearly pavement softly bright it seems— Its silvery whiteness rivals Cynthia's beams— The. No other circle given Thus visible to mortal eyes in Heaven. Four circles trace we on the heavenly sphere To mark the course of each revolving year; Round the mid heavens the larger two are bound, Nearer the poles the lesser two are found.

Upon the northern, dear to sailors, shine The brother, of Jove's immortal line. With glowing knees it adorns; And close below the expands his horns. To legs and shoulders it extends— her beauteous arm upon it bends Down from the north. The aloof Reaches the circle with his prancing hoof. Stretches the his neck and head afar, Seeking to touch it with his utmost star. Near it his shoulders rears, And nearer yet the head appears.