Page:Aratus The Phenomena and Diosemeia.pdf/72

64 Some warn him, rising at the dusk of night, And some, forerunners of Aurora’s light.

Across these starry plains the God of day Furrows with burning wheel his annual way. From east to west he runs his daily race— Rises and sets in no determin’d place. These things thou know’st; and ancient men have told, And trac’d in sacred characters of gold, How Sol and Luna part again to meet When the great cycle nineteen years complete. Thou knowest all the stars that night rolls round With great Orion, and his rabid hound. Their influence some o’er Neptune’s realm extend— Others to Jove belong; and oft portend Events forthcoming. These with care to scan The task and wisdom of the prudent man. Trust not in fragile bark, too rashly brave, The calm but treacherous bosom of the wave. Ofttimes at eve the balmy breezes blow, And soft as milk the murmuring billows flow. But ere again the rosy-finger’d hours Unbar for Phœbus’ car the golden doors, The wild winds roar—tumultuous ocean heaves, And hurls to mountain height his boiling waves. By wise precaution thou may’st haply save Thyself and comrades from a watery grave.