Rears to meridian sky Orion bold
His massy club—beneath his feet is roll’d
Eridanus—splendid his diamond band,
And sheath'd in flickering gold his flaming brand. 610
When rising fiercely from his eastern lair,
The Lion shakes the dewdrops from his hair,
Jove's Eagle, scar'd, to western ocean flies,
Quenching the fiery bolt, and lightning of his eyes.
Headlong Engonasin—yet still appear
His knee and foot within the starry sphere.
The Hydra, fearless of the lordly beast,
Rises together with him from the east.
And burning Procyon, and the bright-ey'd Hare,
And forefeet of the greater Dog appear. 620
When fair Astræa shows her virgin face,
Propitious to this earth—her dwelling place
In times gone by; then sets the Arcadian Lyre,
Which skilful Hermes strung for Jove his sire—
Plunges the Dolphin in his native waves—
The mottled Swan his plumes in ocean laves—
Westward Eridanus pours down his tide—
Merges the Horse his head and winged side.
Aloft the Hydra lifts his speckled crest,
Showing the Goblet on his coiled breast. 630
All Sirius now emerges from below,
And glittering Argo with her broken prow.
