The Circle of the Brain Cannot Be Squared.

A circle round divided in four parts
Hath been great1 study amongst2 men of arts;
Since Archimede’s or Euclid’s time, each brain3
Hath on a line been stretched, yet all in vain,4
And every thought hath been a figure set;                           5
Doubts cyphers were, hopes as triangles met;5
There was6 division and subtraction made,
And lines drawn out, and points exactly laid.
But none hath yet by demonstration found7
The way by which to square a circle round.8                      10
Thus9 while the brain is round, no squares10 will be:
While thoughts are in divisions,11 no figures will agree.

  1. great] a 1653
  2. amongst] ’mongst the 1664, 1668
  3. Since Archimede’s or Euclid’s time, each brain] Ere since Archimedes, or Euclid’s time, 1653
  4. Hath on a line been stretched, yet all in vain,] Hath every Brain been stretch’d upon a Line. 1653
  5. were, hopes as triangles met;] are, Hopes as Triangulars meet. 1653
  6. was] is 1653
  7. But none hath yet by demonstration found] But yet None can demonstrate it plaine, 1653
  8. The way by which to square a circle round.] Of Circles round, a just Four square remaine. 1653
  9. Thus] For 1664, 1668
  10. squares] Square 1664, 1668
  11. are in divisions,] divide, 1664, 1668