Mark where the savage Cetus couching eyes
Andromeda, secure in northern skies.
The Fish and horned Ram his progress bar,
Nor dares he pass the track of Phoebus' car.
The silken bands, that join the Fishes' tails,
Meet in a star upon the monster's scales. 380
Beneath Orion's foot Eridanus begins
His winding course, and reaches Cetus' fins.
When high-born Phaeton with boyish pride
Presum’d his father's fiery steeds to guide,
And, from his shatter'd chariot in the wave
Hurl'd headlong, to ambition gave
An awful warning; from his reedy bed
Rous’d was the river-god—alarm'd he fled
From his parch'd channel—and in pity Jove
Gave him a place in the blue vault above. 390
Where broken Argo ploughs her azure way,
Where savage Cetus eyes his beauteous prey:
Between them both, beneath the flying Hare,
Unnumber'd, small and glittering stars appear.
Nameless they are—and boundless—unconfin'd
In fancied forms by human skill design'd.
These heavenly signs some wise and ancient man,
Skilful and apt the realms of night to scan,
Devis'd and figur'd: each arrang'd with care— 400
Decking with various forms the concave sphere.
