WORKS AND DAYS
But when Orion and Sirius are come into mid-heaven and rosy-fingered Dawn sees Arcturus,[1] then cut off all the grape-clusters, Perses, and bring them home. Show them to the sun ten days and ten nights: then cover them over for five, and on the sixth day draw off into vessels the gifts of joyful Dionysus. But when the Pleiades and Hyades and strong Orion begin to set,[2] then remember to plough in season: and so the completed year[3] will fitly pass beneath the earth.
But if desire for uncomfortable sea-faring seize you; when the Pleiades plunge into the misty sea[4] to escape Orion's rude strength, then truly gales of all kinds rage. Then keep ships no longer on the sparkling sea, but bethink you to till the land as I bid you. Haul up your ship upon the land and pack it closely with stones all round to keep off the power of the winds which blow damply, and draw out the bilge-plug so that the rain of heaven may not rot it. Put away all the tackle and fittings in your house, and stow the wings of the sea-going ship neatly, and hang up the well-shaped rudder over the smoke. You yourself wait until the season for sailing is come, and then haul your swift ship down to the sea and stow a convenient cargo in it, so that you may bring home profit, even as your father and mine, foolish Perses, used to sail on shipboard because he lacked sufficient livelihood. And one day he came to this very place crossing over a great stretch of sea; he left Aeolian Cyme and fled, not from riches and substance, but from wretched
- ↑ September.
- ↑ The end of October.
- ↑ That is, the succession of stars which make up the full year.
- ↑ The end of October or beginning of November.
