Page:Aratus The Phenomena and Diosemeia.pdf/63

Each tracks its separate orbit through the skies—
Fix’d is its place to set—its place to rise.
But the fourth circle on the ocean's face
To set and rise has no determin’d place.
Now mounting high to Cancer's torrid side—
With Capricorn now sinking in the tide.
If we this circle measure in the sky,
Spanning a sixth part with the human eye, 560
Two signs of twelve it can at once embrace,
Thence to the central eye an equal space.
Through torrid Cancer and the Lion's crest
This Zodiac runs, and o'er the Virgin's vest:
Where Scorpio stretches far his glittering Claws,
And where his arrow Sagittarius draws—
To Capricornus with his fishy stern,
And moist Aquarius with his flowing urn–
To where apart the silvery Fishes glide,
Their tails by silken band together tied— 570
By golden Aries, and the Bull's red eye—
To where the Twins propitious shine on high.
Each year this circle tracks the God of day,
Cheering the earth with his prolific ray.
Six of its parts in heaven conspicuous ride,
While six are hid from sight in ocean's tide.
Deep as it plunges in the southern main,
So high it mounts upon the starry plain.
Black dreary Night now holds extended sway,
Giving to earth the cold contracted day: 580