LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. 
 
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 UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 
 
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 THE PRECESSION OF THE EQUINOXES, 
 THE TWELVE CONSTELLATIONS OF THE ZODIAC AND 
 
 THEIR DECANS. 
 
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 BY E. D. ISTIXOTST. 
 
 BALTIMORE: 
 
 J. F. WEISIIAMPEL, JR., PRINTER AND BOOKSELLER. 
 
 1882. 
 
 

 PREFACE. 
 
 To my many friends, because of their earnest solicitation to 
 publish them, are these verses dedicated, with the hope that they 
 may receive real pleasure and amusement from the perusal of 
 them. 
 
 Please withhold your criticism, remembering that the author 
 is without aspirations as a writer; his only object being to name 
 together in verse, the different Constellations of the Zodiac and 
 their Decans, so that they can be more easily remembered by those 
 who are just entering the study of Astronomy. The student is 
 advised to procure an Atlas of the Heavens and examine it in 
 connection with the verses— this will greatly assist him in tracing 
 the constellations. 
 
 E. D. NIXON. 
 
 (Copyright, 1832.) 
 
^TF[ONOMY \f\ Y EF (? E - 
 
 PRECESSION OF THE EQUINOXES. 
 
 Four thousand years ago, reviewing back, 
 
 We find that Taurus ruled the Zodiac ; 
 
 Two thousand less, and Aries lead the host ; 
 
 But Pisces now, by virtue of its post. 
 
 Each constellation in two thousand years 
 
 Advances one sign eastward, it appears. 
 
 The Precession of the Equinoxes will 
 
 In twenty-and-five thousand years fulfil 
 
 A grand cycle of the ages — some epochs end — 
 
 Some worlds burn up — some changes vast impend. 
 
Astronomy in Verse. 
 
 THE TWELVE CONSTELLATIONS OF THE 
 ZODIAC AND THEIE DECANS. 
 
 PISCES. (THE FISHES.) 
 
 Pisczs now leads the twelve celestial signs; 
 Between Pisces the Square Pegasus shines. 
 The northern Fish, just south of Meracli placed,* 
 Is, by its riband, to El Rischa traced ; f 
 Thence north and west the golden cord extends 
 To Beta, in the western Fish, and ends. 
 The Ribbon forms a large triangle there, 
 The open part towards Pegasus' Square. 
 
 ITS DECANS : % 
 THE BAND, CEPHEUS, ANDROMEDA. 
 
 The Starry Band the Fishes doth unite, 
 Reveals their place, and aids their feeble light. 
 King Cepheus is faithful to his queen, 
 His bright crown in the Milky Way is seen. 
 Andromeda near Perseus is found, 
 With Cassiope and Triangles 'round. 
 
 *Merach is in the girdle of Andromeda. 
 |E1 Rischa is in the neck of the Whale. 
 
 JDecans — Stellar personifications or accompanying constella- 
 tions. Three Decans attend ea^h one of the Zodiacal signs. 
 
Astronomy in Verse. 5 
 
 AEIES. (THE RAM.) 
 
 Next see Abies, with twice nine stars, arise. 
 
 But three are seen, which plainly meet the eyes. 
 
 Arietis* reveals the Barn's right horn, 
 
 The other two his left and ear adorn. 
 
 Just north, note well, the bright Triangles seen, 
 
 Just south the Whale, with Aeies placed between, 
 
 Now Arietis doth the sailor sruide, 
 
 And gives his course, whatever may betide. 
 
 ITS DECANS : 
 CASSIOPEIA, CETUS, PERSEUS. 
 
 Fair Cassiopeia's inverted chair — 
 Th' enthroned woman undoing her hair,- 
 Forever and aye its cycle doth roll 
 Around Polaris the present North Pole. 
 Cetus the whale and Perseus the great- 
 These Decans on Aries, constantly wait. 
 
 •Arietis, the chief star in Aries, second magnitude. 
 
6 Astronomy in Verse. 
 
 TAURUS. (THE BULL.) 
 
 Next angry Taurus, rushing through the sky, 
 With Aldebaran* flashing in his eye, 
 Displays his shining horns, upreaching far, 
 Well tipped and burnished with a lovely star. 
 Bright Hyades^ reveals his shining face, 
 Sweet Pleiades% his neck and shoulders trace. 
 With great dominion now he rules the night, 
 Opposing him who challenges his right. 
 
 ITS DECANS : 
 ORION, ERIDANUS, AURIGA. 
 
 Orion belted with sword by his side 
 Holds before Taurus a leonine hide, 
 And lifts up his club to strike him a blow, 
 To check his career and bring his pride low 
 Winding Eridanus§ floweth by full. 
 Auriga || declineth north of the Bull. 
 
 *Aldebaran, that very bright star in the V. 
 fHyades, a cluster of stars like a great V, in Taurus. 
 JPleiades, the 7 stars, a cluster in Taurus. 
 §Eridanus — called the River Po. 
 ||That very bright star in Auriga is Capella. 
 
Astronomy in Verse. 
 
 GEMINI. (THE TWINS.) 
 
 Now see the Twins and learn their famous name, 
 
 Castor and Pollux in the rolls of fame. 
 
 Castor an arrow and a bow conveys, 
 
 Pollux a branch in his right hand displays. 
 
 Twin lights they shine, their different rays impart 
 
 About four-and-one-half degrees apart. 
 
 Now Castor glows and claims the first degree, 
 
 While Pollux guides the sailor on the sea. 
 
 ITS DECANS : 
 SIRIUS, PROCYON, LEPUS. 
 
 Sirius* the Dog Star, prince of the sky, 
 Flashing and flaming ascendeth on high ; 
 Excellent in beauty, lovely and bright, 
 The starry host leads in a winter's cold night. 
 Procyon, the Small Dog, barks from above, 
 While Lepus, the Hare, is seen by the Dove. 
 
 -Sirius is both a star and a constellation and is sometimes put 
 or the whole constellation. 
 
8 Astronomy in Verse. 
 
 CANCER. (THE CRAB.) 
 
 The feeble Crab comes creeping up the sky, 
 With eighty-three dim stars; none please the eye. 
 But in his crest we see a nebula, 
 Quite like a comet in the distance far. 
 The northern tropic lies within this sign, 
 The summer solstice rightly we define. 
 But hence anon the Sun will southward turn. 
 His heat grow less, and less his rays will burn. 
 
 ITS DECAYS: 
 URSA MAJOR, URSA MINOR, ARGO. 
 
 Behold the Greater and the Lesser Bears- 
 Yon golden groups of two important squares, 
 O'er the pale countries of the north they roll, 
 And point forever to the frozen Pole. 
 The Ship Argo the south horizon decks, 
 And sails below the great Egyptian X.* 
 
 •The X is composed of five stars of different constellations. 
 
Astronomy in Verse. 9 
 
 LEO. (THE LION.) 
 
 The mighty Lion, the fierce summers rage, 
 For Judah stands within the sacred page. 
 The marshal Regulus of Eoman fame 
 Bedecks his mighty neck with brilliant flame. 
 Six smaller stars, about his head and face, 
 A Sickle form, which plainly we may trace. 
 Great Denebola tips his bushy tail, 
 Keveals his course, and lights his eastern trail. 
 
 ITS DECANS : 
 HYDRA, THE CUP, THE CROW. 
 
 The sparkling Hydra near th' equater rolls, 
 And full one-fourth of the ecliptic holds. 
 Alphard alone lights up the Serpent's heart; 
 A rhombus figure shapes his head in part. 
 The crescent Cup his center well defines, 
 The Orow his back and eastern part outlines. 
 
10 Astronomy in Verse. 
 
 VIRGO. (THE VIRGIN.) 
 
 The gentle Virgin rising next is seen; 
 One hundred stars attend the lovely queen. 
 But Spica* first, which crowns the Golden Corn, 
 The left hand of the Virgin doth adorn. 
 Within the pathway of the Moon it lies, 
 And with delight attracts the sailor's eyes. 
 From it the distance of the Moon can be 
 Determined, and the longitude at sea. 
 
 ITS DECANS : 
 COMA, BOOTES, CENTAURTJS. 
 
 Fair- Coma's Milky Way, dishevelled light, 
 And nebulse, enchant the smiling night; 
 While great Bootes drives his northern teams, 
 As from his left knee bright Arcturus beams 
 With flashing rays, and leads his faithful Sons, 
 While Centaur on the south horizon runs. 
 
 *Spica the chief star in Virgo. 
 
Astronomy in Verse. 11 
 
 LIBRA. (THE SCALES.) 
 
 Libra, the Scales, now lifts the balance high 
 'Tvvixt the days and nights, and divides the sky. 
 The Sun in this gives equal day and night, 
 An equipoise of measures just and right. 
 Now, a quadrilateral figure find, 
 Between Virgo and Scorpio outlined : 
 Two stars north-east and two south-west will be- 
 The northern and the southern Scales we see. 
 
 •ITS DECANS: 
 THE CROWN, CROSS, VICTIM. 
 
 The northern Crowjst now claims our eager eyes, 
 AVhose diamonds twinkle in the distant skies. 
 Near bright Arclurus is the beauty viewed, 
 With eight small stars of different magnitude. 
 The Cross here lies along the Milky Stream ; 
 The Victim doth in dreadful anguish seem. 
 
12 Astronomy in Verse* 
 
 SCORPIO. (THE SCORPION.) 
 
 Monstrous Scorpio in his mighty bent 
 Takes in a double space — a vast extent. 
 His enormous head to the north-west lies, 
 His long winding tail to the south-east flies ; 
 Thus resembling the figure of a kite, 
 Illumes the heavens and multiplies its light. 
 Antares* first inflames his burning heart 
 Refulgent glows and lights up every part. 
 
 ITS DECANS: 
 THE SERPENT, SERPENT BEARER, HERCULES. 
 
 'Twixt the Crown and Scales does the Serpent lie; 
 He tracks the ether and divides the sky. 
 The Serpent Bearer now the Serpent holds, 
 With firmness, and unwinds his ample folds. 
 Hercules by the Serpent Bearer stands 
 On Draco's head, and lifts his mighty hands. 
 
 *Antares, the chief star in Scorpio. 
 
Astronomy in Verse. 13 
 
 SAGITTARIUS. (THE ARCHER.) • 
 
 In the south-east the starry Archer spy, 
 With bow and arrow drawn across the sky ; 
 The bow is bent and swift the barbed dart 
 Thrusts the monstrous Scorpion" to its heart. 
 A large Milk Dipper, near the Milky Way, 
 In neat outlines it doth, inverted, lay. 
 The handle's west ; the figure plainly viewed, 
 And shines with stars of different magnitude. 
 
 ITS DECANS : 
 LYRA, DRACO, ARA. 
 
 The starry Harp lies south of Draco's head,* 
 But Lyrtf\ first, for brightness, takes the lead. 
 And placed in front beyond the rest displays 
 Surpassing beauty and refulgent rays. 
 Draco, amid the constellations, twines. 
 While Ara burns and near the Dragon shines. 
 
 ^Draco's head is distinguished by means of four stars three, 
 four and five degrees apart, forming an irregular square; the two 
 upper ones are of the second magnitude. 
 
 tLyra, the chief star in the constellation Lyra. 
 
14 Astronomy in Verse. 
 
 CAPRICORNUS. (THE GOAT.) 
 
 Old Capri cornus marks the "Southern gate." 
 The Sun stands still awhile and seems to wait, 
 And gives the longest nights and shortest days, 
 While chilling blasts o'ercome his feeble rays. 
 Now a line from Lyra through Alt air drawn, 
 Points southward to the head of Capricorn". 
 Two stars, (one double) of the third degree, 
 Two degrees apart ; a triangle see. 
 
 ITS DECANS: 
 AQUILA, DELPHINUS, SAGITTA. 
 
 Aqujla now divides the yielding skies 
 With ardent wing, and to the westward flies. 
 But Altair first, and brightest of the three, 
 With luster shines and claims the first degree. 
 The Dolphin,* with his diamond head, we spy 
 In sportive mood, and Sagitta near by. 
 
 *Tke Dolphin, called Job's Coffin 
 
Astronomy in Verse. 15 
 
 AQUARIUS. (THE WATEEBEAEEE.) 
 
 To close the scene, Aquarius behold, 
 With his eight-and-one hundred stars all told. 
 East of the Goat, from where his Urn inclines, 
 In golden light, a shining river winds 
 To Fomalhaut, the sailor's faithful star, 
 Which gives his course when on the seas afar. 
 The hand and handle make the letter Y. 
 The Urk is seen and plainly meets the eye. 
 
 ITS DECANS : 
 THE SOUTHERN FISH, PEGASUS, CYGNUS. 
 The southern Fish swims in the river south, - 
 At Fomalhaut it opens wide its mouth. 
 Now see Pegasus and his noted Square,* 
 In four bright stars quite equi- distant there. 
 The silver Swan flies down the Milky Way, 
 On pinions swift and sings her mournful lay. 
 
 *The Square of Pegasus is formed by four bright stars of the 
 second magnitude, situated about fifteen degrees apart. Of the 
 two western stars, the northern one is called Scheat, the 
 southern one Markab. Of the two eastern, the northern one is 
 called Alpheratz, the southern one Algehib. Alpheratz is in the 
 head of Andromeda and is common to both it and Pegasus. Al- 
 genib, Alpheratz and Caph in the chair of Cassiopeia are on the 
 prime meridian and indicate its course through the Pole. Alpher- 
 atz, Caph and tbe Polar St'nr are in a straight line. 
 
16 Astronomy in Verse. 
 
 THE DIAMOND OF VIRGO. 
 
 Now bright Arcturu.% Denebola seen, 
 
 With Spica south .which lights the Virgin queen, 
 
 A large triangle form of equal blaze, 
 
 Refulgent glow and dart surpassing rays. 
 
 Turn northward now and Cor Caroli there 
 
 The vertex is, the base, the former pair.* 
 
 The sparkling jewel shines with dazzling glow : 
 
 Behold we have the Diamond of Virgo. 
 
 (Comes to the Meridian in May.) 
 
 *Arcturus and Denebola the base. 
 
 THE EGYPTIAN X. 
 
 Betelguese in Okion's shoulder see, 
 
 The Greater and the Lesser Dog : these three 
 
 A triangle form, th' apex is below 
 
 In Sirius, the prince of this trio. 
 
 To the south-east, the bright Naos is seen 
 
 In the south-west, the Doye, with olive green. 
 
 Th' apices at the glowing Prince are crowned 
 
 And thus the great Egyptian X is found. 
 (Overhead in March.) 
 
 NAUTICAL STARS. 
 
 SeeArietis, Aldebaran there, 
 
 And Pollux too, one of the famous pair: . 
 
 The marshal Regulus of Roman fame, 
 
 And Sjrica bright, which burns with golden flame. 
 
 Airfares, Altalr, Fomalliaut in line 
 
 With Markat last, complete the useful nine. 
 
 Along the pathway of the Moon they lie, 
 
 And fill with hope the anxious sailor's eye. 
 
 From each the distance of the Moon can be 
 
 Determined, and the longitude at sea. 
 
Astronomy in Verse. 17 
 
 MORAL. 
 
 Who made Orion and the Seven Stars 
 And gave their beauty and their secret laws ? 
 Inlaid the heavens with wheeling worlds of light, 
 To chant His praise, and beautify the night ? • 
 Who made the Sun and Planets in their course, 
 And keeps them there, by universal force ? 
 Who made the Earth, the mountains, sea and air, 
 The seasons too, and all their products rare ? 
 All beasts and fowls and living things we see, 
 And all mankind ? who made both you and me ? 
 The great "I Am !" He also gave His Son ; 
 Believe His Word, and by His love be won. 
 
18 Astronomy in Verse. 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 THE PLANETS. 
 
 There are eight planets belonging to the Solar System, viz : 
 Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Nep- 
 tune. 
 
 Mercury is the nearest planet to the Sun, his distance being 
 about 37 millions of miles. He is also the smallest, except the 
 asteroids, being about eleven times smaller than the Earth. The 
 length of his year is equal to three of our months. 
 
 Venus, second in order, is about 68 millions of miles from 
 the Sun, and is only one-eleventh smaller than the Earth. Her 
 day is about the length of our day, but her year is equal to only 
 7£ of our months. She is the most brilliant of all the planets 
 and is easily distinguished from them on that account. 
 
 The Earth is a little more than 92 millions of miles from the 
 Sun. We are too well acquainted with her to need comment 
 here. 
 
 Mars is the next ; his orbit lies beyond that of the Earth 
 and he is the first of the exterior planets. His mean distance 
 from the Sun is 145 millions of miles. His day is about three- 
 quarters of an hour longer and his year about ten months and a 
 half longer than ours. His seasons are therefore about the same 
 as ours. He is easily distinguished by his ruddy color. His size 
 is seven times less than the earth. 
 
 Jupiter is next and the largest of all the planets. His orbit lies 
 beyond the asteroids. His mean distance from the Sun is 490 
 millions of miles, and he is thirteen hundred times as large as the 
 Earth. His day is about 10 hours; his year is equal to twelve of 
 our years, he is attended by four satellites and numerous belts. 
 The revolutions' of his satellites are similar to those of the 
 planets about the Sun, and thus, in miniature, they fitly represent 
 the Solar System. To properly appreciate the resplendent beauty 
 of this mighty world he should be viewed through a telescope. 
 He is easily distinguished from all the other stars by his magni- 
 tude and splendor, appearing nearly as bright and as large as 
 Venus to the naked eye. 
 
 Saturn's orbit lies between Jupiter and Uranus. His mean dis- 
 tance from the San is 900 millions of miles and he is seven hun- 
 dred times as large as the Earth. His day is ten-and-a-half hours 
 long and his year is equal to thirty of ours. He is attended by 
 eight satellites and diversified with numerous belts and dark spots. 
 Viewed through a telescope his appearance is truly wonderful, 
 
Astronomy in Verse. 19 
 
 being surrounded by a magnificent ring of perpetual light, which 
 is more brilliant than the planet itself. 
 
 Uranus comes next; his mean distance is 1800 millions of miles 
 from the Sun and he is more than seventy times as large as the 
 Earth. His year is equal to eighty -four of ours ; he is attended 
 by six satellites. 
 
 Neptune is the last planet belonging to our System, so far as 
 we know. He was discovered about thirty-five years ago. His 
 mean distance from the Sun is about 3000 millions of miles, and 
 he is one hundred times as large as the Earth. He is attended 
 by one satellite. The Sun himself is thirteen hundred thousand 
 times as large as the Earth. 
 
 Jupiter, Saturn and Neptune are now situated in the Sign 
 Taurus. About the 15th of April, 1882, Jupiter will move into 
 Gemini. He travels about one sign each year; so that it is easy 
 to trace him and to know what constellation he is in. Saturn 
 traverses one sign in two years and a half. He will remain in 
 Taurus till the middle of 1883. Mars travels one sign in about 
 two months so that when we have once located him, we can 
 trace him through the constellations. He is now in Gemini, (Jan. 
 1882.) 
 
 When we see such displays of wisdom, grandeur and beauty 
 by the Almighty as are found among these mighty worlds of light 
 we may well conclude that they were created for the enjoyment 
 and admiration of the teeming millions of intelligent beings who 
 inhabit them. Why should they not be ? 
 
 "The heavens declare the glory of God and 
 The firmament showeth His handy work. 
 Day unto day uttereth speech and night 
 Unto night showeth knowledge. There is no 
 Speech nor language where their voice is not heard," 
 
20 Language of the Eyes. 
 
 JiAJ^QUAQE OF THE J^YE^. 
 
 <■••» » 
 
 What 'wonders do the eyes unfold f 
 Of heart, of mind, of thoughts untold, 
 Of hate intense, of love sincere, 
 Truth, honor, guilt and shame appear. 
 
 GRAY EYES. 
 
 The Gray eye clear and quick, is wise, 
 Is great, is true — the king of eyes — 
 It is the upright one who stands 
 With equal justice in his hands. 
 
 'Tis honest brave and manly, too, — 
 To plighted faith is ever true ; — 
 Appeals to justice and to law, 
 And rules the world in peace and war. 
 
 The dark Gray eye deep thought re veal s- 
 To cause and argument appeals; 
 The reason why, the bottom fact 
 It does and always will exact. 
 
 The steel Gray eye is keen and bright, 
 In wit and humor takes delight; 
 The mind is strong and leads the way ; 
 Unwilling foes and friends obey. 
 
Language of the Eyes. 21 
 
 The shretvish, restless, wild Gray eye, 
 We see too oft, we don't deny : 
 'Tis artful, selfish, sharp as steel, 
 And loves to give the sudden deal. 
 
 The cold Gray eye, that ray less ball, 
 For self alone is all in all. 
 'Tis heartless, bold, a man of might, 
 Who loves the wrong more than the right. 
 
 Gray eyes are intellectual and firm — they are the strong side 
 of human nature. 
 
 BLUE EYES. 
 
 The sojt Blue eye of love doth tell, 
 Hope, faith and truth within do dwell. 
 These are the beauties of the mind — 
 The graces of the soul yon find. 
 
 The dark Blue eye, that lovely light, 
 Is earnest, truthful, cheerful, bright. 
 Herein a noble soul presides, 
 For you a noble heart provides. 
 
 The steel blue eye has deepest skill, 
 The calmest poise, intensest will, 
 Unbounded faith in self you find, 
 Aggressiveness and greed combined. 
 
 Blue eyes are stubborn and coquettish. They are the gentle 
 side of human nature. 
 
22 Language of the Eyes 
 
 BLUES AND GRAYS. 
 
 The dark Blue eye with Grey halo 
 The truth of all will see and know : 
 The sentinel upon the stand, 
 Who holds the treasure in his hand. 
 
 Resolved and watchful to the end, 
 An honest foe, a lasting friend ; 
 But if he change, it is for life, 
 Regardless of the fearful strife. 
 
 The Gray Blue eye we much admire 
 For real wit and keen satire : 
 'Tis brave, inventive and astute, 
 A princely eye of good repute. 
 
 The Blue Gray eye, a lovely hue, 
 Coquettish, cheerful kindly, true, 
 Denotes great heart as well as mind 
 'Tis imitative and refined. 
 
 BLACK EYES. 
 
 The large Black eye well formed and set 
 A brilliant orb but rarely met, 
 Full of passion, intense desire, 
 Awakes the soul with living lire. 
 
Language of the Eyes. 23 
 
 The sleej)y Black eye will surprise, 
 All these not versed in reading eyes; 
 It tells you of the frequent slip 
 Betwixt the cup and ruby lip. 
 
 Of the small hard Black eye beware, 
 Look sharp, there's danger lurking there; 
 'Tis watchful, wicked and 'tis keen. 
 The thing it does is not yet seen. 
 
 Black eyes are crafty and passionate. They are the furious side 
 of human nature. 
 
 BROWN EYES. 
 
 The dark Brown eye is full of life, 
 'Tis eager, anxious for the strife ; 
 Is full of fun and loves debate, 
 Its strong desires do not abate ; 
 
 Artistic, skillful and correct, 
 In business quick, and can detect 
 The meaning of the hidden line, 
 The secrets of the heart define. 
 
 The light Brown eye with brilliant flash 
 And laughing brightness makes the dash : 
 'Tis eager, anxious to the end. 
 A constant lover, tender friend. 
 
 The red Brown eye is eager, quick, 
 And w r ith the word will give the lick ; 
 Make him your friend and keep him so, 
 This will be best as you should know. 
 
24 Language of the Eyes. 
 
 The little Brown eye trimmed with black, 
 Is full of tricks behind your back : 
 'Tis selfish, hidden, very sly, 
 We all do well to watch this eye. 
 Brown eyes are eager, anxious and lively. They are the act- 
 ive side of human nature. 
 
 HAZEL EYES. 
 
 The hazel eye — happy trio, 
 Is so bewitching who can know ? 
 Coquetting, crafty, lively, gay, 
 Three cheers for the Blue, Brown and Gray. 
 Light hazel eyes are vivacious and lively. They are the funny 
 si 1c of human nature. 
 
 DARK HAZEL EYES. 
 
 The hazel eye of deeper hue, 
 
 (The triune Black and Gray and Blue.) 
 
 Is quiet, crafty, stubborn, sly, 
 
 A secret and perplexing eye. 
 
 Deep Hazel eyes are intelligent but quiet. They are the un- 
 certain side of human nature. 
 
 The eye that squints, and rolls and leaps 
 And lifts the lid, suspicion keeps : 
 It shows unbalanced mind and thought, 
 Though always learning, never taught.