A World Made by Four Kinds of Atoms – Margaret Cavendish's Poems and Fancies

Sharp atoms make fire² subtle, quick, and dry;
The long, like shafts still into air do fly;³
The round to water moist (a hollow form),⁴
The figure square to heavy dull earth turn.⁵
The atoms sharp hard⁶ minerals do make; 5
Soft vegetables of round atoms⁷ take.
In animals none singly lie alone,
But all⁸ four atoms⁹ meet and join as one.
And thus four atoms¹⁰ the substance are¹¹ of all,
With their four figures¹² make a worldly ball. 10

Thus the fancy of my atoms is that the four principle figures, as sharp, long, round, and square,¹³ make the four elements. Not that they are of several matters, but are all¹⁴ of one matter,¹⁵ only their several figures do give them several properties; so likewise do the mixed figures give them mixed properties, and their several composures give¹⁶ them other properties, according to their forms they put themselves into by their several motions. This I do repeat that the ground of my opinion may be understood.

In 1653 this poem is called “A World Made by Four Atoms.”
make fire] Fire 1653
do fly;] fly. 1653
to water moist (a hollow form)] do turn to Water, which is wet 1664, 1668
figure square to heavy dull earth turn.] Square to Earth, a Figure firmly set; 1664; Square, to Earth, a Figure firmly set. 1668
The atoms sharp hard] Sharp Atomes, they hard 1664, 1668
Soft vegetables of round atoms] The Atomes round soft Vegetables 1653
all] the 1653
atoms] sorts do 1664; sorts, do 1668
four atoms] these four 1664; these Four, 1668
are] is 1653
With their four figures] And with their Figures 1664, 1668
and square,] Square, 1653
are all] all 1664, 1668
A marginal note in Cavendish’s 1653 text reads: “The several elements are all but one matter.” In 1664 and 1668, the note reads, “The several elements are all of one matter.”
give] do give 1653