Classic Poem

1. Aries (sings) . . . . . Horn for weapon, and wool for shield,
Windy weather and lambs afield.
2. Taurus . . . . . Head in the sunshine, hoof in the hay,
Toss the last of the clouds away.
3. Gemini . . . . . Double in leaf and double in light,
Flowers by day, and stars by night.
4. Cancer . . . . . Cancer, Cancer, crooked and black,
Answer us, answer us — Forward or back?
5. Leo . . . . . Fierce at eve, at morning tame,
Crest of cloud, and claws of flame.
6. Virgo . . . . . Sickle in hand, and sandal on feet,
Crowned with poppy, and swathed with wheat.
7. Libra . . . . . Libra, Libra, truth is treasure,
Fair the weight and full the measure.
8. Scorpio . . . . . Sharp the sting, but grand the grief,
Shivering bough, and burning leaf.
9. Sagittarius . . . . . Numb the finger: narrow the mark,
Frost on the feather, and flight in the dark.
10. Capricorn . . . . . Capricorn, Capricorn,
Cowardly heart, and crumpled horn.
11. Aquarius . . . . . Snow to flicker, or rain to fall,
Down with thy pitcher, and out with it all.
12. Pisces . . . . . Fish, little fish, lying head to tail,
Daisies round the dish and a pearl on every scale.