print previewback NONNUS OF PANOPOLIS
translation from Homeric Greek by Denise Low
XI
The (Chaotic) Constellations and (Chaotic) Planets
Devolve
~ ~Serpens joins its head to its tail ~ ~ escapes Asclepius the Healer ~
~ hisses at Taurus the Bull ~ ~ ~ slithers to the Equator
Lion roars flames at Canis the Dog ^ ^ ^ swipes at the Crab’s claws^ ^^ ^
switches his tail like a whip \ \ \ \ \ flogs Virgo the
Maiden \ \ \ \ \
Virgo darts out of her place in the Zodiac circle * * * * * *
past Boötes the Herdsman
to his wagon near the North Pole.
She shivers alone in the cold polar night. | *
Morning Star bullies past the Evening Star in the West and takes its place.
+ + +
Eos the Dawn walks deep space ☼
The blue-hot star Sirius leaps at the Big Bear, Ursa Major, scorching its fur ++ /\/\ ++
The two fishes of Pisces < / >
one headed North
the other South
break apart.
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Dolphin splashes into Capricorn’s place and tumbles with the monster goat with a fish’s tail.
^^^ ^^^ ^^^ ^^^ ^^^ ^^^ ^^^ ^^^ ^^^ ^^^ ^^^
Moon carouses midday sky
O
fades without the torch of the Sun’s rays.
o
Scorpio -^ wakens from its trance
scuttles after Orion, raising its stinger at the giant. -^ -^ -^ -^ -^
Chorus of the seven Pleiades resonates among the planets
a cacophony
interrupting the seven spheres in their celestial song.
oo
o
o
o
o
o
The planets jostle out of position
Venus challenging Zeus♀♀
Mars pushing aside Father Cronus. ♀♂ ♀♂ ♀♂ ♀♂
Faithful Hermes son of Zeus
abandons the careening chariot
no longer keeping
steady course
through
Chaos.
Contributor’s notes: Nonnus Of Panopolis
Contributor’s notes: Denise Low