'Twixt Ursa Major and the Polar Star
The Comet shines so luminous and bright,
And throws afar his blazing tail of light.
What does it mean? Is it a sign of war?
Or some foul pestilence? Or deadly dearth?
If not, what brought the stranger from afar
To gaze upon this sin-polluted earth?
Like some lone wanderer who lost his way
He lights his signal lamp and holds it high,
To let us know that he has gone astray.
Perhaps he comes to sweep the northern sky,
And chase away the shadows of the night?
Let Coggia say what brought the Comet here,
And is the omen one of joy or fear.