chair, with his head upon his hand, as if asleep; the Virgin_ (the zodiacal sign) _above him, lifting up her hand_. This appears to be a peculiarly Italian version of the proper employment of August. In Northern countries he is generally threshing, or gathering grapes. Spenser merely clothes him with gold, and makes him lead forth "the righteous Virgin, which of old Lived here on earth, and plenty made abound."