The Bigness of Atoms

 

When I say1 atoms small as small can be,
I mean quantity, quality, and weight agree.2
Not in the3 figure, for some may show4
Much bigger, and some lesser: so5
Take water fluid and ice, and you will see,6                            5
They do in weight but not in bulk agree.7
So atoms: some are8 soft, others more knit,
According as each atom’s figurèd.9
Atoms whose forms are hollow, long, and round10
Bend more than flat11 or sharp, which close are bound.12  10
And being hollow, they are spread more thin
Than other atoms which are close within.
And atoms which are thin are softer much,13
When atoms close are of a harder touch.14

  1. When I say] Mhen I say 1653; I Mean by 1664, 1668
  2. I mean quantity, quality, and weight agree.] They do in Quantity, Weight, Quality agree, 1664; They do in Quantity, Weight, Quality, agree, 1668
  3. the] their outward 1664; their Outward 1668
  4. may show] may 1664, 1668
  5. Much bigger, and some lesser: so] Shew Bigger, and some others Less than they; 1664; Shew bigger, and some others, less than they. 1668
  6. ice, and you will see,] Ice thats firme, 1653
  7. They do in weight but not in bulk agree.] Though the Weight be just, the Bulke is not the same. 1653
  8. some are] are some 1653
  9. figurèd.] Figure’s fit; 1664; Figures fit. 1668
  10. Atoms whose forms are hollow, long, and round] Round and Long Atomes hollow are, more slacke 1653; Atomes whose Form is Hollow, Long, and Round, 1664; Atoms, whose Form is Hollow, Long, and Round, 1668
  11. Bend more than flat] Then Flat, 1653
  12. which close are bound.] for they are more compact: 1653
  13. are softer much,] more tender far, 1653
  14. When atoms close are of a harder touch.] For those that are more close, they harder are. 1653; When Atoms close, are of an harder t’uch. 1668