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But chiefly look to Cynthia's varying face;

There surest signs of coming weather trace.

Observe when twice four days she veils her light, 430 Nor cheers with silvery ray the dreary night.

Mark these prognostics through the circling year, And wisely for the rain-the wind-the storm prepare.

NOTES.

PAGE 32.

Skilful ARATUS sings in easy vein

Th' eternal gems that deck th' ethereal plain—
The wandering Planets-and bright Stars that roll
In their fix'd orbits round the central pole.
Laud his great work-and rank him next to Jove,
Who adds fresh lustre to the Stars above.

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The ancient philosophers considered the prooemium of Aratus, of which this passage forms a part, as applicable either μυθικώς to Jove, Δημιουργός the Creator, or φυσικώς to Jove, Αιθήρ the air.

66

“ Πρὸς το, ‘Πατὴρ ἀνδρῶν τε θεῶν τε. ̓ εἰ γὰρ αὐτὸς ταῦτα ἐδημιούργησε πρὸς τὸ τοῖς ἀνθρώποις βιωφελές, αὐτοῦ ἄν κληθείημεν, αὐτὸν πατέρα καὶ δημιουργὸν ἐπιγραφόμενοι. Δύναται δὲ καὶ ἐπὶ τοῦ ἀέρος· αὐτὸν γὰρ ἐπισπώμενοι, ὡς ἐξ αὐτοῦ ζῶμεν, ὄντος ζωητικοῦ, καὶ τῆς πνοῆς ἡμῶν αἰτίου.”

(Scholiast.)

From these words, which St Paul quoted to the philosophers of Athens to prove the unity of the godhead, Manillius deduces an argument for the immortality of the soul:

“Jam nusquam natura latet: pervisimus omne,
Et capto potimur mundo, nostrumque parentem
Stirps sua perspicimus, genitique accedimus astris.
An dubium est habitare Deum sub pectore nostro?
In cœlumque redire animas coloque venire?"

(Lib. iv. 883.)

PAGE 33.

16. Αὐτὸς, καὶ προτέρη γενεή........

"Vide Scholiasten, qui heroes, Perseum, Oriona, aliosque intelligit. Nonnulli ad Jovem ipsum referunt, et explicant αὐτὸς καὶ προτέρη γενεή, qui et ipse es et prima propago: cui quidem

PAGE 32.

Skital ARATUS sings in easy vein

Th' eternal gems that deck th' ethereal plain-
The wandering Planets-and bright Stars that
In their fix'd orbits round the central pole.
Land his great work-and rank him next to J
Who adds fresh lustre to the Stars above.

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