If with clear face into his watery bed,
Curtain'd with crimson clouds around his head,
He sink, that night no rain or tempest fear; 150
And morrow's sun will shine serene and clear.
If a black cloud eclipse the solar ray,
And sudden night usurp the place of day,
As when th' obtrusive moon’s dark orb is seen
Forcing her way the sun and earth between;
Or if Aurora tinge with glowing red
The clouds, that float round Phœbus' rising head;
Farmer, rejoice—for soon refreshing rains
Will fill the pools, and quench the thirsty plains.
If ere his limbs he rear from ocean's bed 160
His foremost rays obscure and dark are spread
On th' horizon's edge; forewarn'd take heed—
These signs the rain, or blustering wind precede.
And weather foul expect, when thou canst trace
A baleful halo circling Phœbus' face
Of murky darkness, and approaching near:
If of two circles, fouler weather fear.
Mark when from eastern wave his rays emerge,
And ere he quench them in the western surge,
If near th' horizon ruddy clouds arise, 170
Mocking the solar orb in form and size:
If two such satellites the Sun attend,
Soon will impetuous rain from heaven descend.
