Pavo the Peacock with shining eye,
Bright cluster in the southern sky,
Named for Hera’s brilliant bird,
Adorned with eyes from Argus’ head.

Argus spied on Zeus for Hera.
His hundred eyes saw Zeus much clearer
Than any should. Zeus had him banned
And Argus died at Hermes’ hand.

The Greeks and Romans could not see,
These southern stars that shine for me.
Dutch explorers chose these names
In memory of those mythic games.

Five hundred years have passed since then.
Alpha Pavonis, brightest of the ten,
Named for the watchful peacock’s eye,
Still seeks its companion star, circling by.