Portents

When now the Gods have made proud Ilion fall, / and Asia's power and Priam's race renowned / o'erwhelmed in ruin undeserved, and all / Neptunian Troy lies smouldering on the ground, / in desert lands, to diverse exile bound, / celestial portents bid us forth to fare; / where Ida's heights above Antandros frowned, / a fleet we build, and gather crews, unware / which way the Fates will lead, what home is ours and where.

In the past, traditional communities saw solar eclipses as portents of disaster.

What portents of pleasure I fancy / Return with these bright sunny rays! / What visions of lazing I can see, / Of languorous, sweet Summer days; / Of yachting and sea-side diversions, / And getting as brown as a bun: / Of rambles and Alpine excursions— / For here is the Sun!