Of the Rays of the Sun

The rays are not so hot as is the sun,
Because they do more loose and scattered run.¹
For when within a glass those beams unite,²³
They pierce, and sharp through everything do bite.⁴
But being separate, they weak become,⁵                              5
And then like cowards several ways they run.⁶

1. do more loose and scattered run.] are united strong to burne. 1653
2. For when within a glass those beams unite,] But with a Glasse those scatter’d Beames draw in, 1653
3. A marginal note in Cavendish’s 1653 text reads: “Concaves draw to a center.”
4. They pierce, and sharp through everything do bite.] When they’re united, peirce through every thing. 1653
5. weak become] weaker grow, 1664; weaker grow; 1668
6. they run] do go. 1664, 1668