Medulla Poetarum Romanorum Or, the Most Beautiful and Instructive Passages of the Roman Poets. Being a Collection, (Disposed under proper Heads,) Of such Descriptions, Allusions, Comparisons, Characters, and Sentiments, as may best serve to shew the Religion, Learning, Politicks, Arts, Customs, Opinions, Manners, and Circumstances of the Antients. With Translations of the same in English Verse. By Mr. Henry Baker |
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Void.
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 | Medulla Poetarum Romanorum |  |
Void.
But Matter does not fill up ev'ry Place:
For besides that, there is an empty Space,
A VOID.—
For besides that, there is an empty Space,
A VOID.—
459
A VOID is Space intangible: thus prov'd:
For were there none, no Body could be mov'd:
Because where-e'er the pressing Motion goes,
It still must meet with Stops, still meet with Foes:
'Tis natural for Matter to oppose.
So, that to move would be in vain to try,
For motionless and stubborn all must lie:
Because no yielding Body could be found,
Which first should move, and give the other Ground.
For were there none, no Body could be mov'd:
Because where-e'er the pressing Motion goes,
It still must meet with Stops, still meet with Foes:
'Tis natural for Matter to oppose.
So, that to move would be in vain to try,
For motionless and stubborn all must lie:
Because no yielding Body could be found,
Which first should move, and give the other Ground.
Tho' free from Pores, tho' Solid, Things appear,
Yet many Reasons prove them to be rare.
For Drops distil, and trickling Moisture creeps
Thro' hardest Rocks, and ev'ry Marble weeps.
Sounds pass thro' well clos'd Rooms and hardest Stones,
And Winter's rig'rous Frost pervades our Bones:
Which could not be, were there no empty Space,
Thro' which the subtle Parts of Matter pass.
Yet many Reasons prove them to be rare.
For Drops distil, and trickling Moisture creeps
Thro' hardest Rocks, and ev'ry Marble weeps.
Sounds pass thro' well clos'd Rooms and hardest Stones,
And Winter's rig'rous Frost pervades our Bones:
Which could not be, were there no empty Space,
Thro' which the subtle Parts of Matter pass.
Besides, why have not Bodies equal Weight
With others, which in Bulk are but as great?
Did the same Quantity of Matter frame
Both Wool and Lead, their Weight must be the same.
Since ev'ry Part of Matter downward tends,
By Nature heavy: but no Void descends.
Wherefore those lighter Things of equal Size,
Do less of Matter, more of Void comprize.—
With others, which in Bulk are but as great?
Did the same Quantity of Matter frame
Both Wool and Lead, their Weight must be the same.
Since ev'ry Part of Matter downward tends,
By Nature heavy: but no Void descends.
Wherefore those lighter Things of equal Size,
Do less of Matter, more of Void comprize.—
| Medulla Poetarum Romanorum | |