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Book 4
On the Nature of Things · 69 chapters- 1PROEM
- 2So now I too (since this my doctrine seems
- 3Scaled off the utmost outside of the things,
- 4As when the locusts in the summertime
- 5Stretched overhead in mighty theatres,
- 6Of outside colour is thrown off, there's naught
- 7Judge, then, the size of any inward organ--
- 8And smirch the serene vision of the world,
- 9Thou place, at any instant, anything
- 10Now come; with what swift motion they are borne,
- 11And, secondly, since furnished, when sent off,
- 12An image from the shores of ether falls
- 13As that by eyes perceived within the light
- 14And too the longer be the brushing breeze
- 15'Tis the same sort as objects peered upon
- 16In those which render from the mirror's plane
- 17To such degree the image gleams across
- 18Through the pure ether and the viewless winds,
- 19Because that denser darkling air behind
- 20For what we use to name a shadow, sure
- 21Attach thou not this fault of mind to eyes,
- 22The sun's red splendour and the tremulous fires,
- 23We cast our eyes across, all objects seem
- 24In the night-time, then seem to glide along
- 25In vain, because the largest part of these
- 26Worthy a greater trust? Shall reason, sprung
- 27Seemed rounded, yet it more availeth us,
- 28Marshalled against the senses is quite vain.
- 29If 't be outpoured with most exceeding shouts.
- 30Disordered in its flight across the winds--
- 31Dashing them back against the hills, kept on
- 32View objects manifest) sounds yet may pass
- 33Present more problems for more work of thought.
- 34I will unfold, or wherefore what to some
- 35And certain of them many-angled too
- 36Both sorts, in sooth, are intermixed in honey--
- 37Or in the class of flavours; but, likewise,
- 38While I omit all mention of such things
- 39That many images of objects rove
- 40At once, through subtle nature and fabric thin.
- 41Whom, void of life, now death and earth have gained
- 42Or other visage, other age succeeds;
- 43Thus to be able in the time of night
- 44As if 'twere all the time removed and far.
- 45Much earlier than any sound was heard;
- 46Seek, even by nature of their frame, their food.
- 47Now, how it comes that we,
- 48Unto all smallest places in our frame.
- 49Thyself at fault unable to perceive.
- 50Repeatedly. And therefore almost all
- 51Even there the houghs will sag and loose their powers.
- 52And master the minds of men. And whosoever
- 53The winds again, again, as though indeed
- 54By fangs of panther or of lion fierce.
- 55With seed abundant; so that, as it were
- 56Assault him, or a woman darting love
- 57And the woe waxes heavier day by day--
- 58And the admixture of a fondling joy
- 59Aught from each tender limb, the while they stray
- 60To which be added too,
- 61By launching some sly word, which still like fire
- 62And lovers gird each other and advise
- 63Forsooth there still are others; and forsooth
- 64And well search out the cause of all these smiles;
- 65And when perchance, in mingling seed with his,
- 66Exist created males: since sex proceeds
- 67To enter suitably the proper places,
- 68For commonly 'tis thought that wives conceive
- 69By her complying ways, and tidy habits,