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 Hydra 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. 460
On the mid coil a Goblet rests—below,
As pecking at her skin, the crafty Crow.
Beneath the Twins the portals of the east
Dread Procyon 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 Planets call'd—yet still they ever run
Through the twelve signs, the circuit of the sun. 470
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:
