The Lots named and described

[p. 100] These grac'd with proper Names and Place containThe various Fortunes incident to Man,Yet so contriv'd, that they are always foundIn the same ⁶Order, in the fatal Round.Yet are not Lots thus fixt to Signs to liePossessing the same ⁷Station in the Sky;And from one place directing down to EarthAn equal Influence work on every Birth;But still the Time of every Birth confinesThese Lots to Seats, and makes them change their Signs,That every Lot from every Sign may flow,And vary the Nativity below.

But lest Confusion too much Change produce,And make the Art too intricate for Vse;'Tis order'd thus:That when the Birth's first Minute hath decreedThe first Lot's Station, then the rest succeedIn following Signs; each Fortune takes its SeatIn proper Order, till the Round's compleat:Take these short Rules till flowing Verse dilate,Unfolding all the Mysteries of Fate.

These Lots which thus decreed to Signs containThe various Fortunes incident to Man;As Planets joyn with a malignant Ray,Or Kind; or as the rolling Skies conveyTo different Hinges, so the Fortune spreads,And well or ill the whole Design succeeds:Their Names and Kinds obliging Muse reherse,And sing their Titles in no vulgar Verse,That late Posterity with Joy may throngTo Themes unknown, and crowd to learn my Song.

First Lot

Fortune's the first: This Name our Art bestows,And what it signifies the Title shows.Here House is found, with all that may conduceTo House, either for Ornament or Use:What train of Servants, what extent of FieldShall aid the Birth, or give him room to build:When large Foundations may be safely laid,Or Houses roof'd; if Friendly Planets aid.

[p. 101] Second Lot

Warfare's the next: And 'tis in This decreedHow every Native shall in Arms succeed:What Dangers wait them when abroad they roam,To pick up Follies which they miss at home.

Third Lot

Civil Employments in the Third we find,Tho those too justly may be styl'd a kindOf Warfare; when two different Interests jarr,Oppos'd in sides, and make a sort of War.Here's Patronage, and here our Art descriesWhat breaks its bands, what draws the closer ties,Shows what Rewards our Services may gain,And how too often we may court in vain:All this as Planets friendly Aids conspire,Or temper Signs with their unlucky Fire.

Fourth Lot

Proceed, my Muse, for in the next appearThe Court Concerns, and Fortunes of the Bar,The pleading Patron with the fearful ThrongOf trembling Clients hanging on his Tongue.The smooth Perswader who shall teach the Laws,And settle Right, whilst Truth supports the Cause;For from this Lot the Planets Rays dispenseThe various Powers of winning Eloquence.

Fifth Lot

The Fifth to Marriage Sacred yet pretendsTo Guests, Acquaintance, Company, and Friends;Here we discern the Common League that bindsThe Equal Souls, and joyns agreeing Minds.

[p. 102] Sixth Lot

But in the Sixth, rich Plenty takes her Throne,With Preservation: And from this 'tis knownWhat stores of Wealth shall come, how long their stayAs Planets tamper with their ruling Ray:

Seventh Lot

The Seventh in horrid Dangers shall engageThe Birth, if Planets not correct its Rage.

Eighth Lot

The Eighth Nobility pretends to claim,Where Honour sits with her attendant Fame;Where Family erect maintains her Place,And smiling Favour with her winning Face.

Ninth Lot

The Ninth the doubtful Lot of Children bearsWith all the Pious Parents hopes and Fears,The Tutor's Industry, and Guardian's Cares.

Tenth Lot

The next to this the Act of Life contains,And shews how far a good Example reigns:How by their Masters form'd Slaves take their wayTo Tasks assign'd, and chearfully Obey.

Eleventh Lot

The following is a Lot of high concern,For hence the state of strength and Health we learn,When griev'd, we live obnoxious to Disease,Or free from Sickness, and consign'd to Ease:Let none who value Health, this Lot refuse,When they would time for wholsome Physick choose;For hence we are with most exactness taughtTo gather Drugs, or mix the saving Draught.

Twelfth Lot

The Last, and which the Round concludes, containsThe End of all our Wishes and our Pains,Shews if to what our several Aims addressObtain'd, shall crown our Studies with Success;Whether with fauning Arts we court the Great,Or shunning Crouds, to Privacy retreat;Whether we Plead at the Contentious Barr,Or Plough the Sea, and gather Wealth from far;Or tear the Earth, to crowd our stores with Grain,Or bring unruly Bacchus to the Press again.For these, if Planets prosper the Effect,You may fit moments, and fit Days expectFrom this one Lot, and all the rest neglect.These Planets ⁸Powers, and how their Rays infuse,Or Good, or Bad, shall then engage my Muse,When their Effects she Sings——

[p. 103] But now lest hudled things confusedly wrought,Distract thy Mind, and discompose thy Thought;Let Verse in Method orderly impartThe single naked Elements of Art;And since my ventrous Muse hath bound in Rhime,The various Labours of the Round of Time,(What Greece calls Athla, happy Greece in Song,Are now call'd Labours in a meaner Tongue)Which to Twelve Lots conveniently assign'dDetermine all the Fortune of Mankind: