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— 480
A pearly pavement softly bright it seems—
Its silvery whiteness rivals Cynthia's beams—
The Milky Zone. 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 Twins, of Jove's immortal line. 490
With glowing knees Auriga it adorns;
And close below the Bull expands his horns.
To Perseus legs and shoulders it extends—
Andromeda her beauteous arm upon it bends
Down from the north. The Flying Horse aloof
Reaches the circle with his prancing hoof.
Stretches the Swan his neck and head afar,
Seeking to touch it with his utmost star.
Near it his shoulders Serpentarius rears,
And nearer yet the Serpent's head appears. 500
