When from the yoke at close of day releas'd
On his right side recumbs the wearied beast:
When keenly pluck the Goats the oaken bough;
And deeply wallows in the mire the Sow.
When through the dismal night the lone Wolf howls;
Or when at eve around the house he prowls;
And, grown familiar, seeks to make his bed, 410
Careless of man, in some out-lying shed:
Then mark: ere thrice Aurora shall arise,
A horrid storm will sweep the blacken'd skies.
E'en Mice ofttimes prophetic are of rain,
Nor did our sires their auguries disdain:
When loudly piping with their voices shrill,
They frolick'd dancing on the downy hill.
Sign too of rain: his outstretch'd feet the Hound
Extends, and curves his belly to the ground.
Before the storm the Crab his briny home 420
Sidelong forsakes, and strives on land to roam:
The busy household Mice shake up with care
Their strawy beds, and for long sleep prepare.
Each sign observe: more sure when two agree;
Nor doubt th' event foretold by omens three.
Note well th' events of the preceding year,
And with the rising and the setting stars compare.
