Vacuum in Atoms

If all the atoms, long, sharp, flat, and round,
Be only of one sort of matter found,
The hollow atoms must all empty be,
For there is nought to fill vacuity.
Besides1 being several bodies, though but small,                 5
Betwixt those bodies there is nought at all.
For as they range about from place to place,
Betwixt2 their bodies there is left a space.
How should they move, having no space between?3
For, joining close, they would as one lump seem.4             10
Nor could they move into each other’s place,5
Unless there were somewhere an empty space.6
For though their matter’s infinite as time,7
They must be fixed, if altogether join.8
And were all matter fluid, as some say,                                 15
It could not move, having no empty way.
Like water that is stopped close in a glass:
It cannot stir, having no way to pass.
Nor could the fishes swim in water thin,
Were there no vacuum9 to crowd those10 waters in.          20
For as they crowd, those waters driven up high11
Must to some places rise12 that empty lie.
For though the water’s thin wherein they move,
Yet none could13 stir if water did not shove.

  1. Besides] And 1664, 1668
  2. Betwixt] Between 1664, 1668
  3. How should they move, having no space between?] Else joyning close, and without space betwixt, 1664, 1668
  4. For, joining close, they would as one lump seem.] They’d seem as one great Lump together mixt; 1664; They’d seem as one great Lump together mixt: 1668
  5. place,] room 1664; room, 1668
  6. an empty space.] a Vacuum: 1664, 1668
  7. their matter’s infinite as time,] like Time their Matter’s Infinite, 1664; like Time, their Matter’s Infinite, 1668
  8. They must be fixed, if altogether join.] Yet they must fix, if they all do unite. 1664, 1668
  9. there no vacuum] Vacuum not 1664, 1668
  10. those] these 1664, 1668
  11. driven up high] on heapes high 1653
  12. Must to some places rise] Must some waies rise to Place 1653
  13. Yet none could] They could not 1653