quis enim condentibus illis clepsisset furto mundum, quo cuncta reguntur? quis foret humano conatus pectore tantum, invitis ut dis cuperet deus ipse videri, sublimis aperire vias imumque sub orbem, et per inane suis parentia finibus astra? tu princeps auctorque sacri, Cyllenie, tanti; per te iam caelum interius, iam sidera nota nominaque et cursus signorum, pondera, vires, maior uti facies mundi foret, et veneranda non species tantum sed et ipsa potentia rerum, sentirentque deum gentes qua maximus esset.
For who, if the gods wished to conceal it, would have guilefully stolen the secret of the skies, by which all things are ruled? Who of but human understanding would have essayed so great a task as to wish against heavens wish to appear a god himself; to reveal paths on high and paths beneath the bottom of the earth and stars obedient to appointed orbits through the void? You, God of Cyllene, are the first founder of this great and holy science; through you has man gained a deeper knowledge of the sky'the constellations, the names and courses of the signs, their importance and influences'that the aspect of the firmament might be enhanced, that awe might be roused not only by the appearance but by the power of things, and that mankind might learn wherein lay Gods greatest power.
final_alignments\Manilius_Astronomica_Book1.json