The Setting of Lyra
When the seventh dawn arrives, He will plunge into the waves and Lyra will shine no more.
Vesta's Blessing
When Rosy fingered Eos-The Dawn leave behind Assaraci’s Brother of Phrygia, and thrice light the immeasurable world with her heavenly radiance, a goddess enwreathed in a thousand varied flower approaches. The stage is now free and set for jesty plays. The rites of Flora extends to the Kalends of May, thereupon I shall return. Today, a grander task is upon my hands.
Seize the day Vesta, she was welcomed into the house of her kindreds; so as the just Fathers have proclaimed. Phoebus claims a part, Vesta the other, He holds the remainder. Be eternal, Laurels of Palantine. May the oak weaved house endure; one house holds 3 immortal gods.
Equirria Nefastus Publicus
When the sphere are raised and sunk six times by the swift charioteer across the darkening red sky, one can observe the races of Equirria on the Campus turf, bounded by the waters of Tiber.
Yet if chance should the banks be clasped, dusty Caelian will receive panting steeds.
Endotercisus
Tomorrow's dawn denotes the winter's middle point. What is left will equal what went before.
Luna, the Goddess of the Moon
Luna rules the months. Luna closes this month's time with her worship on the Aventine Hill.
Romulus and the Founding of Rome
When Romulus ringed a wall of stone around his, he proclaimed: ‘Whoever you may be to take refuge here, you will be protected.’
Oh! What delicate beginning great Rome come forth to be!
Temple of Vedjovis
The Nones of March are recognised, for they believed that the sacred temple of Vedjovis was built in front of two groves.
Flora, the goddess of a thousand varied flowers
I was once known as Chloris, but now I am called Flora. A mere shift in my name, wrought by Latin's touch upon a Greek letter. In days of yore, I was the nymph Chloris, frolicking in the happy fields, where the blessed dwell.
The Sacred Seeds in Poets' Souls.
Within us dwells a god, whose motions stir our souls, whose influence fosters seeds of sacred thought.
For me, especially, it is fitting to gaze upon divine visages, as I am a poet, singing of holy themes.
Janus, the God of Keys
May peace reign over the teeming earth, and may the oceans be calm. Be with your senators and the people of Quirinus; open the doors of our shining temples with your divine approval.
Saturnus, God of Abundance
The sickle God roamed the world in a vessel and arrived at the Tuscan river. I recalled Saturnus settling in this land; Jupiter ousted him from the throne of the sky.
Vestalia Nefastus
Vesta, favor me. Our lips open in your service, if we are allowed to approach your rites. I was lost in prayer. I felt a divine presence, and the joyful ground glowed with sacred light.
The Home of Chiron
A little before the fourth night, Chiron will bring forth his gallery of stars, that hybrid mix of a man and a tawny steed. The south facing Mount Pelion of Haemoniae, its summit coloured green with pine, the rest with oak. The son of Philyra abodes there.
There is an ancient cavern, as it was remembered, where the just old man dwells. He is believed to have detained in rhythmic lyrics, the hands that send Hector to his death. Alcides pays homage with his labours partly ended, the last great tasks remain to be toiled. Here stood the two calamities of Troy, boy Aeacides and great Hercules.
Praestites Lares
May’s Kalends are dedicated to ‘Praestitibus’ (guardian) Lares and altars are erected with the gods’ little statues.
Consecrated by King Curius, but antiquity ruins all; the passage of time damages even stone.
Nevertheless the reason the name attached is this: they guard all under their unslumbering watch. They stand for us, praesunt over the city’s bulwarks, ever praesentes to our aid.
Terminus, the God of Boundaries
Terminus, the ancient tell, was found in the shrine and stayed, and shares the great Jupiter's temple. Even now, so he sees nothing but the stars above.
Vesta's gift
Go, folk, seek fumigant from the virginal altar; Vesta will give it, Vesta's gift will cleanse.
The Doom of Chiron
Doom came upon Chiron, son of Philyra, that hybrid mix of a man and a tawny steed, teacher of young Achilles and of Hercules, as he inspects a quiver of arrows dipped in Hydra's blood.
On the ninth day, with weeping Achilles by his side, he surrounded himself with twice seven stars.
The birth of Romulus and Remus
Vestal Silvia one morning was fetching water to wash the holy things. She came to where the bank sloped softly with its path, and removed the earthen jar from her head.
She sat listless on the ground, and welcomed breezes with open breast and fixed her ruffled hair. As she sat, shady willows and melodious birds bred sleep, and the water's gentle murmur.
Seductive peace stole over her languid eyes; her hand becomes limp and slips from her chin.
Mars sees her, desires what he sees, takes what he desires; divine power made his rape unfelt. Sleep departs, she lies frightened; there was now, of course, in her guts the Roman city's founder.
She rises limp unaware why she rises limp. She leans on a tree and performs these lines:
'Please let what I saw in my dreams bring me profit and luck. Or was it too vivid a dream?'
Troy's fire blazed before me; the woollen band slid from my hair and fell at the sacred hearth. Two palm trees (a miraculous sight) sprang from there together. One of them was the taller, and had roof the entire globe with its head of leaves.
Jupiter Supreme
No name surpasses the Fabii, the house known as 'Maximus' for its dedication. Yet, all these are honoured with human praise; His name is shared with Jupiter Supreme, the God of Kings.
The last touch
Piërides, lend your final touch to my work. Tell the tale of a man bound by fate, reluctantly surrendered by his stepmother. Thus spoke I, and so does Clio: 'Behold Philippus' Monument.'
Chaste Maria, descendant of Ancus, finds her name and beauty intertwined with his.
Pleiades
When the night fades at the coming of the first dawn that reddens the heavens, our feathered friends grumble, soaked by the dew. The vigilant traveler of the night rests his half burnt torch and the peasant farmer tend to his fields like clockwork.
The Pleiades will ease the shoulders of their sires. Believed to be seven, but only six now shine.
Either because the six bedded with the divine; Steropè with Mars, Halcyonè and you, fair Celæno, with Neptune. Maia, Electra, and taÿetè with Jove -
The seventh, graceful Meropè, married mortal Sisyphus and hides away alone in shame.
Or Electra, who covered her eyes at the demise of Troy, unable to bear the sight of its ruins and wailing ghosts.
The blessings of Janus
Look, Germanicus, the two-headed Janus, source of the silent-gliding year, proclaims a happy year for you and is present to start my song.