Aries

First Aries shines,* 1.11 and as he oft doth lose

His Fleece, and then as frequently renews,

'Twixt sudden Ruin, and a fair Estate

He fixes the variety of Fate;

He gets, then loseth, then returns to Gain,

Then Loss steals in, and empties all his pain;

He rears new Lambs, he doth encrease the Fold,

And makes the Rams to shine in native Gold;

Betters the Wool, and whilst the Subject grows

He forms Mens Minds to use what he bestows;

To Pick, to Card, to Spin, and Weave, to deal

In Cloath with gain; to Buy, Exchange, and sell:

All useful Arts, whose constant Works supply

Mens real Wants, not only Luxury:

This 17 Pallas owns, nor doth disdain to claim

Arachne's conquest as her greatest Fame.

These are the manners, these the various Arts

Which Aries Rays, and secret force imparts;

To anxious fears he troubled Minds betrays

And strong Desires to venture all for Praise

-Manilius, translated by Thomas Creech