The Northern Constellations

[p. 14] The great Bear

Fixt near the Pole appear those friendly StarsWell known to wretched greedy Mariners;Which guide their Sails, and which direct their Oars,When mad for gain they fly to foreign Shores.(Whilst Heaven it self befriends their Avarice,What Pleas may wretched Mortals make for Vice?)Seven equal Stars adorn the greater Bear,Which measure larger Circles of the Sphere,And teach the Grecian Sailers how to steer.

The little Bear

The smaller Bear, though less in size and lightIn narrower Circles she commands the Night,Yet Tyre prefers, for through the Ocean tostThey sail by her and find the foreign Coast;These stand not front to front, but each doth viewThe others Tayl, pursu'd as they pursue.

The Serpent

Betwixt and round these two the Serpent twines,At once divides, and to their place confines;Secure from meeting they're distinctly roll'd,Nor leave their Seats, and pass the dreadfull fold:These keep the Vertex, but betwixt the BearAnd shining Zodiack where the Planets Err,A Thousand Figur'd Constellations roll,Some near the Zodiack, some plac'd near the Pole:Whose differing Powers by tempering Skies combin'dMake Seasons fruitfull, and refresh Mankind.

Hercules

First near the North, as conscious of his shameA Constellation kneels without a Name

Bootes

And next Bootes comes, whose order'd BeamsPresent a Figure driving of his Teams.

Arcturus

Below his Girdle, near his Knees, He bearsThe bright Arcturus, fairest of the Stars.

[p. 15] The Crown

Behind his Back the radiant Crown is view'd,And shines with Stars of different magnitude;One plac'd i'th' front above the rest displaysA vigorous light, and darts surprizing rays.This shone since Theseus first his faith betray'd,The Monument of the forsaken Maid.

The Harp

Nor far from these distended Lyra lies,Well strung, the sounding glory of the Skies.This Orpheus struck when with his wondrous SongHe charm'd the Woods, and drew the Rocks along;When Hell obey'd, when Death resign'd her Chain,And loos'd his dear Eurydice again;This gain'd it Heaven, and still its force appears,As then the Rocks it now draws on the Stars.The Planets dance, and to the tunefull soundThe Heaven consents, and moves the fatal Round.

Ophiuchus

Next Ophiuchus strides the mighty Snake,Untwists his winding Folds, and smooths his Back,Extends its Bulk, and o'er the slippery ScaleHis wide stretcht Hands on either side prevail:The Snake turns back his Head, and seems to rage,That War must last where equal Powers engage.

The Swan

Next view the Swan, whom Jove advanc'd above,That Form's reward by which He caught his Love.When shrouded in the fair deceitfull shape,He cheated trusting Leda to a Rape:Now grac'd with Stars his Wings stretcht o'er the Skies.

The Arrow

And next the Swan the shining Arrow flies:

The Eagle

The towring Eagle next doth boldly soar,As if the thunder in his Claws he bore:He's worthy Jove, since He, a Bird, suppliesThe Heaven with sacred Bolts, and arms the Skies.

The Dolphin

Next rais'd from Seas the Dolphin's Tail appears,The Glory of the Floud and of the Stars.

[p. 16] The Horse

Whom while the Horse (one radiant Star doth graceHis generous Breast) pursues with eager pace,His Legs before, as running, He extends,

Andromeda

But clos'd in fair Andromeda he ends.

Perseus

Her Perseus joyns, her Foot his Shoulder bearsProud of the weight, and mixes with her Stars.

The Triangle

Five splendid Stars in its unequal FrameDeltoton bears, and from the shape a Name;But those that grace the sides dim Light displayAnd yield unto the Basis brighter Ray.

Cepheus and Cassiopeia

Next with her Cepheus Cassiopeia shines,Her posture sad, and mourns amongst the Signs;She sees her Daughter chain'd, the rolling TideThe Monster spout, and curses her old Pride:She fears that Perseus will inconstant prove,And now in Heaven forget his former Love;But He attends, and bears the Gorgon's head,His Spoil, and witness of a coming aid.

Heniochus

Near the bent Bull a seat the Driver claims,Whose skill conferr'd his Honour and his Names,His Art great Jove admir'd, when first he droveHis rattling Carr, and fixt the Youth above.

The Hoedi

Next stormy Hoedi shine which shut the Main,And stop the Sailers hot pursuit of gain.

The Goat

Then shines the Goat, whose Brutish Duggs supply'dThe Infant Jove, and nurst his growing Pride.From that wild Food He did to Heaven aspire,Fierce Thunder throw, and dart the blasting Fire,Then mindfull of her Care the gratefull GodRepaid her with those Skies which she bestow'd.

The Pleiades and Hyades

Then Pleiades and Hyades appear,The sad Companions of the turning Year.Born by the Bull they lead they Tempests forth,And close the Constellations of the North.