Book I - Part 03 - The Void Poem Rhyme Scheme and Analysis

Rhyme Scheme: ABCDEFGHIJKLMNHOPQRS BTUVWXYZA2B2C2ED2E2F 2G2H2I2J2K2BL2M2N2O2 P2Q2R2L2S2T2U2V2GSW2 D2S2X2QY2KOBZ2A3B3C3 D3E3EF3G3S2H3H3E2I3J 3MK3O2 L3M3N3N3R2O3P3Q3R3S3 T3S2U3V3H3N2W3X3Y3Z3 A4

But yet creation's neither crammed nor blockedA
About by body there's in things a voidB
Which to have known will serve thee many a turnC
Nor will not leave thee wandering in doubtD
Forever searching in the sum of allE
And losing faith in these pronouncements mineF
There's place intangible a void and roomG
For were it not things could in nowise moveH
Since body's property to block and checkI
Would work on all and at an times the sameJ
Thus naught could evermore push forth and goK
Since naught elsewhere would yield a starting placeL
But now through oceans lands and heights of heavenM
By divers causes and in divers modesN
Before our eyes we mark how much may moveH
Which finding not a void would fail deprivedO
Of stir and motion nay would then have beenP
Nowise begot at all since matter thenQ
Had staid at rest its parts together crammedR
Then too however solid objects seemS
They yet are formed of matter mixed with voidB
In rocks and caves the watery moisture seepsT
And beady drops stand out like plenteous tearsU
And food finds way through every frame that livesV
The trees increase and yield the season's fruitW
Because their food throughout the whole is pouredX
Even from the deepest roots through trunks and boughsY
And voices pass the solid walls and flyZ
Reverberant through shut doorways of a houseA2
And stiffening frost seeps inward to our bonesB2
Which but for voids for bodies to go throughC2
'Tis clear could happen in nowise at allE
Again why see we among objects someD2
Of heavier weight but of no bulkier sizeE2
Indeed if in a ball of wool there beF2
As much of body as in lump of leadG2
The two should weigh alike since body tendsH2
To load things downward while the void abidesI2
By contrary nature the imponderableJ2
Therefore an object just as large but lighterK2
Declares infallibly its more of voidB
Even as the heavier more of matter showsL2
And how much less of vacant room insideM2
That which we're seeking with sagacious questN2
Exists infallibly commixed with thingsO2
The void the invisible inaneP2
Right hereQ2
I am compelled a question to expoundR2
Forestalling something certain folk supposeL2
Lest it avail to lead thee off from truthS2
Waters they say before the shining breedT2
Of the swift scaly creatures somehow giveU2
And straightway open sudden liquid pathsV2
Because the fishes leave behind them roomG
To which at once the yielding billows streamS
Thus things among themselves can yet be movedW2
And change their place however full the SumD2
Received opinion wholly false forsoothS2
For where can scaly creatures forward dartX2
Save where the waters give them room AgainQ
Where can the billows yield a way so longY2
As ever the fish are powerless to goK
Thus either all bodies of motion are deprivedO
Or things contain admixture of a voidB
Where each thing gets its start in moving onZ2
Lastly where after impact two broad bodiesA3
Suddenly spring apart the air must crowdB3
The whole new void between those bodies formedC3
But air however it stream with hastening gustsD3
Can yet not fill the gap at once for firstE3
It makes for one place ere diffused through allE
And then if haply any think this comesF3
When bodies spring apart because the airG3
Somehow condenses wander they from truthS2
For then a void is formed where none beforeH3
And too a void is filled which was beforeH3
Nor can air be condensed in such a wiseE2
Nor granting it could without a void I holdI3
It still could not contract upon itselfJ3
And draw its parts together into oneM
Wherefore despite demur and counter speechK3
Confess thou must there is a void in thingsO2
-
And still I might by many an argumentL3
Here scrape together credence for my wordsM3
But for the keen eye these mere footprints serveN3
Whereby thou mayest know the rest thyselfN3
As dogs full oft with noses on the groundR2
Find out the silent lairs though hid in brushO3
Of beasts the mountain rangers when but onceP3
They scent the certain footsteps of the wayQ3
Thus thou thyself in themes like these aloneR3
Can hunt from thought to thought and keenly windS3
Along even onward to the secret placesT3
And drag out truth But if thou loiter lothS2
Or veer however little from the pointU3
This I can promise Memmius for a factV3
Such copious drafts my singing tongue shall pourH3
From the large well springs of my plenished breastN2
That much I dread slow age will steal and coilW3
Along our members and unloose the gatesX3
Of life within us ere for thee my verseY3
Hath put within thine ears the stores of proofsZ3
At hand for one soever question broachedA4

Lucretius



Rate:
(1)



Poem topics: , Print This Poem , Rhyme Scheme

Submit Spanish Translation
Submit German Translation
Submit French Translation


Write your comment about Book I - Part 03 - The Void poem by Lucretius


 

Recent Interactions*

This poem was read 6 times,

This poem was added to the favorite list by 0 members,

This poem was voted by 0 members.

(* Interactions only in the last 7 days)

New Poems

Popular Poets