[note]In 1664 and 1668 this poem is called “The Four Principle Figured Atomes Make the Four Elements.”[/note]
The square flat atoms as dull earth appear;
The atoms round do make the water clear.
The long straight atoms like to[note]to] as 1664; 1668[/note] arrows fly,
Mount next the sharp[note]sharp] points 1653[/note] and make the airy sky.
The sharpest atoms into fire do turn,[note]into fire do turn,] do into Fire turne 1653[/note] 5
And[note]And] Which 1653[/note] by their piercing quality do[note]do] they 1653[/note] burn:
That figure makes them active, active light,
Which makes them get above the rest in flight.
And by this figure they stick fast, and draw
Up other atoms, which are round and raw. 10
But water is[note]But water is] As Waters are 1653[/note] round drops, though ne’er so small,
Which shows[note]shows] shew 1653[/note] its figure to be[note]its figure to be] that water is all 1653[/note] spherical.
That figure makes it spongy, spongy wet,
And[note]And] For 1653[/note] being hollow, softness doth beget.
And being soft, that[note]that] it 1664, 1668[/note] makes it run about; 15
More solid atoms thrust it in, or out.
But sharpest atoms have most power thereon,[note]sharpest atoms have most power thereon,] sharper Atomes force it cannot shun, 1664; sharper Atom’s Force, it cannot shun; 1668[/note]
For cold doth nip it, and heat makes it run.[note]For cold doth nip it, and heat makes it run.] To nip it up with Cold, or Heate to run. 1653[/note]
But atoms flat,[note]But atoms flat,] Flat Atomes, they 1664; Flat Atoms they 1668[/note] are heavy, dull, and slow,
And sinking downward[note]downward] downwards 1664, 1668[/note] to the bottom go. 20
These[note]These] Those 1653[/note] figured atoms are not active, light,
Whereas the long are like the sharp in flight.
For as the sharp do pierce and get on high,
So do the long shoot straight and evenly.
The round are next the flat, the long next round; 25
Those which are sharp are still the highest found.
The flat turn all to earth and[note]and] which 1653[/note] lie most low,
The round to water clear, which[note]which] and 1664, 1668[/note] liquid flow.
The long to air, from whence the clouds do grow;[note]The long to air, from whence the clouds do grow;] The Long to Aire turne, from whence Clouds grow, 1653[/note]
The sharp to fire do turn[note]do turn] turne 1653[/note], which hot doth glow. 30
Thus these four figures th’elements[note]Thus these four figures th’elements] These Foure Figures foure Elements 1653[/note] do make,
And as their figures do incline, they take.
For they[note]they] those 1653[/note] are perfect in themselves alone,
Not taking any shape, but what’s their own.
And whatsoever form is elsewhere found,[note]And whatsoever form is elsewhere found,] What Forme is else, must still take from each part, 1653[/note] 35
Must take from long or square or sharp or round.[note]Must take from long or square or sharp or round.] Either from Round, or Long, or Square, or Sharp; 1653[/note]
For[note]For] As 1653[/note] those that are like to triangles[note]triangles] Triangulars 1653[/note] cut,
Part of three figures in one form is put.
And those that bow and bend like to a bow
Like to the round, and jointed atoms[note]jointed atoms] joyned Atomes 1664; Joyned-Atoms, 1668[/note] show. 40
In those that[note]In those that] Those that are 1653[/note] branched, or those which crooked be,
You may both the long and[note]both the long and] the Long and both 1664; both long and the 1668[/note] sharp figures see.
Thus several figures several tempers make,
But what is mixed doth of the four partake.