I have seen, during the night-watches of the soldiers, a luminous¹ appearance, like a star, attached to the javelins² on the ramparts. They also settle on the yard-arms and other parts of ships while sailing, producing a kind of vocal³ sound, like that of birds flitting about. When they occur singly they are mischievous⁴, so as even to sink the vessels⁵, and if they strike on the lower part of the keel, setting them on fire. When there are two of them they are considered auspicious⁶, and are thought to predict a prosperous voyage, as it is said that they drive away that dreadful and terrific meteor named Helena. On this account their efficacy is ascribed to Castor and Pollux, and they are invoked⁷ as gods. They also occasionally shine round the heads of men in the evening,[18] which is considered as predicting something very important. But there is great uncertainty⁸ respecting the cause of all these things, and they are concealed⁹ in the majesty¹⁰ of nature.
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