“Inventa jam pridem ratio est prænuntians horas, non modo dies ac noctes, Solis Lunæque defectuum.  Durat tamen tradita persuasio in magna parte vulgi, veneficiis et herbis id cogi, eamque num fæminarum scientiam prævalere.”  Plin. xxv. v.  So it was a custom to avert the spells of sorceresses, which might bring the eclipsed moon to the ground, by beating brass and shouting.  cf. Juv., Sat. vi. 443, “Tam nemo tubas, nemo œra fatigat, Una laboranti poterit succurrere lunæ,” and the “œra auxiliaria lunæ” of Ov., Met. iv. 333.