Manilius

Excerpt From a Poem by Manilius
(first century B.C.)
Translated by Thomas Creech and published in 1670

From:

http://www.cyberwitch.com/wychwood/Observatory/manilius.htm

First Aries, glorious in his Golden Wool,

Looks back and wonders at the mighty Bull,

Whose back-parts first appear: He bending lies

With Threat'ning Head, and calls the Twins to rise,

They clasp for fear , and mutually embrace;

And next (to) the Twins with an unsteady pace

Bright Cancer rolls: then Leo shakes his mane:

And following Virgo calms his rage again:

Then Day and Night weigh'd in Libra's Scales,

Equal awhile, at last the Night prevails,

And longer grown the heavier scale inclines

And draws bright Scorpio from the Winter signs:

Him Centaur follows with an aiming Eye

His Bow full drawn and ready to let fly:

Next narrow Horns the twisted Caper shows,

And from Aquarius' Urn a Flood o'erflows.

Near their loved Waves cold Pisces take their seat,

With Aries join and make the round complete.