From Zeus let us begin; him do we mortals never leave unnamed; full of Zeus are all the streets and all the market-places of men; full is the sea and the havens thereof; always we all have need of Zeus. For we are also his offspring; and he in his kindness unto men giveth favourable signs and wakeneth the people to work, reminding them of livelihood. He tells what time the soil is best for the labour of the ox and for the mattock, and what time the seasons are favourable both for the planting of trees and for casting all manner of seeds. For himself it was who set the signs in heaven, and marked out the constellations, and for the year devised what stars chiefly should give to men right signs of the seasons, to the end that all things might grow unfailingly. Wherefore him do men ever worship first and last. Hail, O Father, mighty marvel, mighty blessing unto men. Hail to thee and to the Elder Race! Hail, ye Muses, right kindly, every one! But for me, too, in answer to my prayer direct all my lay, even as is meet, to tell the stars.
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Let us begin from Zeus, whom we mortals never leave unspoken. All streets and all human marketplaces are full of Zeus; the sea and harbors are full of him. Everywhere we all have need of Zeus. For we are also his offspring. Kindly toward human beings, he gives favorable signs and awakens people to work, reminding them of their livelihood. He tells when the soil is best for ox and mattock, and when the seasons are favorable for planting trees and casting every seed. He himself fixed the signs in heaven, distinguished the constellations, and devised which stars should chiefly mark the seasons, so that everything might grow unfailingly. Therefore people honor him first and last.
Hail, Father, great wonder, great benefit to human beings. Hail to you and to the elder race. Hail, Muses, all most gracious. And for me too, as I pray, guide my whole song as is right, to tell of the stars.
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Sources & notes
Aratus is a poet associated with the Stoic tradition. His proem invokes both Zeus and the Muses.
Historical editions may include surrounding context or use different phrasing. Parallel columns compare passages; their lines are not word-for-word alignments.