Of the Sympathy of These Four Principle Figured Atoms

¹

Such sympathy there is in every figure,²³
That every several sort do flock together,⁴
As air, water, earth, and⁵ fire,
Which make each element to be entire.
Not but loose atoms like sheep stray⁶ about,          5
And into⁷several places go in⁸ and out,
And some as sheep and kine do mix⁹ together,
Which¹⁰ when they mix, ’tis several change of weather.
But Motion as their shepherd drives them so,
As not to let them out of order go.                             10

1. In 1653 this poem is called “Of the Sympathy of their Figures”
2. Such sympathy there is in every figure,] In every Figure is such Sympathy, 1664; In every Figure, is such Sympathy, 1668
3. A marginal note in Cavendish’s 1653 text reads: “Long, Round, Sharp, Flat.” In the texts from the 1660s there is an “and” before the “Flat.”
4. That every several sort do flock together,] As it makes every sort together fly; 1664; As it makes every sort together fly: 1668
5. As air, water, earth, and] As for example, Earth, Air, Water, 1664; As for example; Earth, Air, Water, 1668
6. like sheep stray] stray like Sheep 1664; stray, like Sheep, 1668
7. into] go to 1664, 1668
8. go in] in 1664, 1668
9. kine do mix] Goats do joyn 1664; Goats, do joyn 1668
10. Which] And 1664, 1668