What Signs are Eccliptick

[p. 38] But now attend, for Signs Eccliptick claimThy Care, and learn the Reason of the Name:For some, as weary'd in their tedious Race,Grow restiff, dull, nor keep their usual pace.Nor is this strange, for through the mighty FrameThere's nothing that continues still the same;As Years wheel round, a change must needs ensue,Things lose their former State, and take a new.

Now tir'd with Births, the Fields refuse to bear,Now unmanur'd, prevent the Tiller's care.Dilated Vapours tear the solid Earth,Strong the Convulsions at the Fatal Birth;Vast Mountains sink: And now his large CommandNeptune extends, and Seas o're-spread the Land,Contemning Shores: Thus were the Towns o're-flow'dWhen Mankind's single Heir Deucalion stoodOn steep Parnassus, to repair the Stock,The spacious World possessing in one Rock.And when bold Phaeton, with unequal forceThe Chariot fill'd, and drove the Flaming Horse;The Earth took Fire, Heaven saw the Stars recoil,And frighted Nature fear'd one common Pile.So much as Years roul round, the mighty FrameIs chang'd, yet still returns to be the same:And so the Stars, whilst they revolve their Course,Now lose their Power, and now regain their force.

Why call'd Eccliptick

The Reason's plain, for when depriv'd of Light,The Moon Ecclipst, lies vail'd in sudden Night;Whilst hindring Earth diverts her Brother's Ray,These Signs Eccliptick feel the same decay;They feeble grow, they hang their bending Head,And mourn, and pine, as if the Moon were dead.Now Signs Eccliptick (see the Name betrayUnusual Languor, and a weak decay,)Grow weak by Pairs, and those not Neighbouring Signs,But Opposite; for thus our Art defines,Because the Moon then only feels decay,When Opposite unto her Brother's Ray.Nor is this Languor, nor these Times of GriefAlike to All, some quickly find relief;Some Languish long, and e're their Mourning's done,The Sun goes round, and all the Year is run.

[p. 39] The Order the Eccliptick Signs succeed one another

But when their Grief is o're, the next in turnBegin to Languish, and prepare to Mourn;The next in turn, that are in Order plac'tOn either side, the Two that Languisht last:To speak distinctly, ³⁸those two Signs that viewAnd leave the Earth before the former two.

Not that the Earth doth noxious Powers dispense,Or Subject Heaven to its dull Influence;But since the World turns round, the Orb obeys,And Signs abate the vigour of their Rays,Not by Earth's Influence, but by their place.