The Celestial Sphere

Folly then, not folly now

Earth about the sun revolves

Aristarchus, show us how

Minds resist yet thought evolves

Puzzle through the paths so cryptic

Crossing orbit and ecliptic

Or lean

Between

Two ethereal extremes

Give yourself up to the trance

Fingertips on glass adhere

Hercules and Hydra dance

Turning the celestial sphere

Major tapers to Arcturus

Safe, on Zeus’ shelter surest

Rely

And try

All but Hera’s jealous eye.

I myself no hero need

Nor capricious king of gods

Find instead, of Adam’s seed

Gentleman, no shady fraud

Free of envious monarchs’ clutches

Neither will we check our touches

Nor mar

The stars’

Lofty glow, seen from afar