464

The text is highly fragmented, providing a critical apparatus for verses 464–480 of Aratus' Phaenomena, which discuss the structure of the stars and the Milky Way.

...measuring for the one observing the passing years.
465 Signs are very well set around for all to see,
both many and close together, all intertwined.
They themselves are not broad, and all are fitted
to one another; yet by measure, two correspond to two.
If ever at night, when the heavenly night displays
470 all its glorious stars to men,
and none are obscured by the half-moon,
but all shine sharply in the darkness—
if ever at such a time wonder came to your mind
as you gazed at the heavens, cleaved everywhere in a broad circle,
475 or if someone else stood by and pointed out
that bright-glancing wheel, they call it the Milky Way.
Its appearance is no longer like the circle that
revolves, and the measures of the four are such
that two are large, and the others revolve much smaller.
480 Of these, one is near the descending North.
And within it, both heads of the Twins are borne.