WHEN thou behold'st in evening's western sky
Cynthia's thin face, scarce seen by mortal eye,
She then begins her monthly course to run
Through the whole annual circle of the sun.
Observe her on the fourth returning day:
She casts a shadow from her strengthen'd ray.
With half her lustre and eighth night she cheers,
And in eight more with beauty full appears.
Then, waning through the month's remaining space,
Each night she rises with diminish'd face.10

⁠To mark the lengthening and the shortening day,
To trace the sun throughout his annual way,
The zodiac signs suffice. They also show
The times ordain’d to plough, to plant, to sow.
These all are taught by great immortal Jove,
Who orders all below and all above.

⁠The prudent mariner oft marks afar