Aratus with Commentaries

Other stars lie scattered beneath Hydrochoos Water-Pourer/Aquarius, between the celestial Ketos and the Ichthys, sluggish and nameless. And near them, from the right hand of the gentle Hydrochoos, there is something like a small pouring of water, scattering here and there, and they revolve, pale and lifeless. Among them, two stars are carried, appearing more distinct, neither very far aloft nor very near.

One is beautiful and great, beneath both feet of Hydrochoos, and the other is beneath the tail of the dark Ketos; all of these they call Water. Few other unknown stars revolve in a circle beneath the front feet of the Toxeutes Archer.

But beneath the burning sting of the great monster Scorpios, near the south, the Thyterion Altar hangs. You will not see it for a long time while it is high; for it rises opposite to Arktouros the star Arcturus. And the paths of Arktouros are entirely lofty, but this one goes more quickly under the western sea.

But ancient Night, weeping for the toil of men, placed this Thyterion as a great sign of the sea-winter. For ships are distracted from their mind at that time; and it shows one sign after another, pitying the storm-tossed men. Therefore, do not pray for that star to appear to me in the middle of the sky when it is wrapped in other clouds, while it is itself cloudless and bright, but pressed down higher by a surging cloud, like the many [others].