Aquarius

Aquarius pouring out his Urn,* 1.21 imparts

An useful Knowledge in resembling Arts,

To find out Springs, and with new Streams supply

The Barren Countries, and refresh the dry;

To raise in Pipes, or to extend in Beams,

And in high Rooms imprison Foreign Streams;

Affront the Sea, for State, not use, restrain

The Waves with Moles, and curb the raging Main;

Or Engins raise, whence Waters mount above,

And mix the lower, with the higher Jove.

A thousand other Arts, which Waters sway,

As Channels lead, or else as Pipes convey,

Depend upon the influence of his Ray.

And to his Births the World oblig'd shall owe

Spheres, Cycles, Orbs, and turn new Skies below.

Soft, easie Tempers, loving Coin for use,

Not sorbid, but inclin'd to be profuse;

Not pincht, nor yet too swelling in Estate;

Thus flows the Vrn, and fixes this for Fate.

-Manilius, translated by Thomas Creech