Georgics

Virgil

Vergil. The Poems of Vergil. Rhoades, James, translator. London: Oxford University Press, 1921.

  1. Therefore it is the golden sun, his course
  2. Into fixed parts dividing, rules his way
  3. Through the twelve constellations of the world.
  4. Five zones the heavens contain; whereof is one
  5. Aye red with flashing sunlight, fervent aye
  6. From fire; on either side to left and right
  7. Are traced the utmost twain, stiff with blue ice,
  8. And black with scowling storm-clouds, and betwixt
  9. These and the midmost, other twain there lie,
  10. By the Gods' grace to heart-sick mortals given,
  11. And a path cleft between them, where might wheel
  12. On sloping plane the system of the Signs.
  13. And as toward Scythia and Rhipaean heights
  14. The world mounts upward, likewise sinks it down
  15. Toward Libya and the south, this pole of ours
  16. Still towering high, that other, 'neath their feet,
  17. By dark Styx frowned on, and the abysmal shades.
  18. Here glides the huge Snake forth with sinuous coils
  19. 'Twixt the two Bears and round them river-wise—
  20. The Bears that fear 'neath Ocean's brim to dip.
  21. There either, say they, reigns the eternal hush
  22. Of night that knows no seasons, her black pall
  23. Thick-mantling fold on fold; or thitherward
  24. From us returning Dawn brings back the day;
  25. And when the first breath of his panting steeds
  26. On us the Orient flings, that hour with them
  27. Red Vesper 'gins to trim his 'lated fires.
  28. Hence under doubtful skies forebode we can
  29. The coming tempests, hence both harvest-day
  30. And seed-time, when to smite the treacherous main
  31. With driving oars, when launch the fair-rigged fleet,
  32. Or in ripe hour to fell the forest-pine.