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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Let us begin from Jove. Let every mortal raise
His grateful voice to tune Jove’s endless praise.
Jove fills the heaven—the earth—the sea—the air:
We feel his spirit moving here and every where.
And we his offspring are. He ever good
Daily provides for man his daily food.
Ordains the seasons by his signs on high,
Studding with gems of light the azure canopy.
What time with plough or spade to break the soil,
That plenteous store may bless the reaper’s toil,
What time to plant and prune the vine he shows,
And hangs the purple cluster on its boughs.
To Him—the First—the Last—all homage yield,
Our Father—Wonderful—our Help—our Shield.
Next hail, harmonious Muses, and inspire
Some portion of your own celestial fire,
Not adverse to a daring Poet’s flight,
Who scours on fancy’s wings the realms of light.
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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.