PHAENOMENA 

From Zeus let us begin; 

him do we mortals never leave unnamed; 

full of Zeus are all the streets and all the market-places of men;

full is the sea and the havens thereof; 

always we all have need of Zeus. 

For we are also his offspring; 

and he in his kindness unto men giveth favourable signs 

and wakeneth the people to work, reminding them of livelihood. 

He tells what time the soil is best for the labour of the ox and for the mattock,

and what time the seasons are favourable both for the planting of trees and for casting all manner of seeds.

For himself it was who set the signs in heaven, and marked out the constellations, 

and for the year devised what stars chiefly should give to men right signs of the seasons,

to the end that all things might grow unfailingly. 

Wherefore him do men ever worship first and last. 

Hail, O Father, mighty marvel, mighty blessing unto men. 

Hail to thee and to the Elder Race! Hail, ye Muses, right kindly, every one! 

But for me, too, in answer to my prayer direct all my lay, even, as is meet, 

to tell the stars.

                                      - Aratus