What Makes Echo Rebound

¹

Rebounds resisting substance must work on,²
Both in itself, and what it beats upon,³
For yielding bodies which do bow or break
Can ne’er rebound, nor like an⁴ echo speak.
Then every word of aïr forms⁵ a ball,                                      5
And every letter like a ball doth fall.
Words are condensèd air, which heard, do grow
As water which by cold doth turn to snow.
And as when snow is pressed hard balls become,⁶
So words being pressed as balls do backward run.⁷           10

1. In 1653 this poem is called “Of Rebounds”
2. Rebounds resisting substance must work on,] When two hard Bodies ’gainst each other move, 1664, 1668
3. Both in itself, and what it beats upon,] And cause Rebounds, they must resisting prove; 1664; And cause Rebounds, they must resisting prove: 1668
4. like an] yet like 1653
5. Then every word of aïr forms] Wherefore each Word i’th’Air is like 1664; Wherefore each Word i’th’Air, is like 1668
6. as when snow is pressed hard balls become,] like as Snow, when press’d, hard Balls doth make, 1664; like as Snow, when press’d, hard Balls doth make; 1668
7. being pressed as balls do backward run.] as Balls their course do backwards take. 1664; as Balls, their course do backwards take. 1668