THE PLANETARY SYSTEM. 135 



LESSON 57. 



The Planetary System. 



Fair star of eve, thy lucid ray 

 Directs my thoughts to realms on high ; 

 Great is the theme, though weak the lay, 

 For my heart whispers ' God is nigh.' 



The Sun, vicegerent of his power, 

 Shall rend the veil of parting night, 

 Salute the spheres, at early hour, 

 And pour a flood of life and light. 



Seven circling planets I behold, 

 Their different orbits all describe ; 

 Copernicus these wonders told, 

 And bade the laws of truth revive. 



Mercury and Venus first appear, 

 Nearest the dazzling source of day ; 

 Three months compose his hasty year, 

 In seven she treads the heav'nly way. 



Next, Earth completes her yearly course ; 

 The Moon as satellite attends ; 

 Attraction is the hidden force. 

 On which creation's laws depend. 



Then Mars is seen of fiery hue ; 

 Jupiter's orb we next descry ; 

 His atmospheric belts we view, 

 And four bright moons attract the eye. 



Mars soomhis revolution makes, 



In twice twelve months the sun surrounds ; 



Jupiter, greater limit takes. 



And twelve long years declare his Dounds. 



With ring of light, see Saturn slow, 

 Pursue his path in endless space ; 

 By seven pale moons his course we know, 

 And thirty years that round shal trace. 

 11* 



