Unbroken if it vanisheth away—
Serene the air, and smooth the tranquil sea.
The double halo boisterous weather brings,
And furious tempests follow triple rings. 100
These signs from Cynthia's varying orb arise—
Forewarn the prudent, and direct the wise.
Next mark the features of the God of Day:
Most certain signs to mortals they convey,
When fresh he breaks the portals of the east,
And when his wearied coursers sink to rest.
If bright he rise, from speck and tarnish clear,
Throughout the day no rain or tempest fear.
If cloudless his full orb descend at night,
To-morrow's sun will rise and shine as bright. 110
But if, returning to the eastern sky,
A hollow blackness on his centre lie;
Or north and south his lengthen'd beams extend:
These signs a stormy wind or rain portend.
Observe, if shorn of circling rays his head,
And o'er his face a veil of redness spread;
For o'er the plains the God of winds will sweep,
Lashing the troubled bosom of the deep.
If in a shroud of blackness he appear,
Forewarn'd take heed—a drenching rain is near. 120
If black and red their tints together blend,
