De Rerum Natura |
Translator: William Ellery Leonard
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| 89 |
Nunc age , quam celeri motu simulacra ferantur , et quae mobilitas ollis tranantibus auras reddita sit , longo spatio ut brevis hora teratur , in quem quaeque locum diverso numine tendunt , suavidicis potius quam multis versibus edam ; parvus ut est cycni melior canor , ille gruum quam clamor in aetheriis dispersus nubibus austri . Principio persaepe levis res atque minutis corporibus factas celeris licet esse videre . in quo iam genere est solis lux et vapor eius , propterea quia sunt e primis facta minutis , quae quasi cuduntur perque aëris intervallum non dubitant transire sequenti concita plaga ; suppeditatur enim confestim lumine lumen et quasi protelo stimulatur fulgere fulgur . qua propter simulacra pari ratione necessest inmemorabile per spatium transcurrere posse temporis in puncto , primum quod parvola causa est procul a tergo quae provehat atque propellat , quod super est , ubi tam volucri levitate ferantur , deinde quod usque adeo textura praedita rara mittuntur , facile ut quasvis penetrare queant res et quasi permanare per aëris intervallum .
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Now come; with what swift motion they are borne, These images, and what the speed assigned To them across the breezes swimming on- So that o'er lengths of space a little hour Alone is wasted, toward whatever region Each with its divers impulse tends- I'll tell In verses sweeter than they many are; Even as the swan's slight note is better far Than that dispersed clamour of the cranes Among the southwind's aery clouds. And first, One oft may see that objects which are light And made of tiny bodies are the swift; In which class is the sun's light and his heat, Since made from small primordial elements Which, as it were, are forward knocked along And through the interspaces of the air To pass delay not, urged by blows behind; For light by light is instantly supplied And gleam by following gleam is spurred and driven. Thus likewise must the images have power Through unimaginable space to speed Within a point of time,- first, since a cause Exceeding small there is, which at their back Far forward drives them and propels, where, too, They're carried with such winged lightness on; And, secondly, since furnished, when sent off, With texture of such rareness that they can Through objects whatsoever penetrate And ooze, as 'twere, through intervening air. |
| 90 |
Praeterea si quae penitus corpuscula rerum ex altoque foras mittuntur , solis uti lux ac vapor , haec puncto cernuntur lapsa diei per totum caeli spatium diffundere sese perque volare mare ac terras caelumque rigare . quid quae sunt igitur iam prima fronte parata , cum iaciuntur et emissum res nulla moratur ? quone vides citius debere et longius ire multiplexque loci spatium transcurrere eodem tempore quo solis pervolgant lumina caelum ? Hoc etiam in primis specimen verum esse videtur , quam celeri motu rerum simulacra ferantur , quod simul ac primum sub diu splendor aquai ponitur , extemplo caelo stellante serena sidera respondent in aqua radiantia mundi . iamne vides igitur quam puncto tempore imago aetheris ex oris in terrarum accidat oras ? quare etiam atque etiam mitti fateare necessest
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Besides, if those fine particles of things Which from so deep within are sent abroad, As light and heat of sun, are seen to glide And spread themselves through all the space of heaven Upon one instant of the day, and fly O'er sea and lands and flood the heaven, what then Of those which on the outside stand prepared, When they're hurled off with not a thing to check Their going out? Dost thou not see indeed How swifter and how farther must they go And speed through manifold the length of space In time the same that from the sun the rays O'erspread the heaven? This also seems to be Example chief and true with what swift speed The images of things are borne about: That soon as ever under open skies Is spread the shining water, all at once, If stars be out in heaven, upgleam from earth, Serene and radiant in the water there, The constellations of the universe- Now seest thou not in what a point of time An image from the shores of ether falls Unto the shores of earth? Wherefore, again, And yet again, 'tis needful to confess With wondrous... . . . . . . |
| 91 |
corpora quae feriant oculos visumque lacessant . perpetuoque fluunt certis ab rebus odores , frigus ut a fluviis , calor ab sole , aestus ab undis aequoris , exesor moerorum litora circum , nec variae cessant voces volitare per auras . denique in os salsi venit umor saepe saporis , cum mare versamur propter , dilutaque contra cum tuimur misceri absinthia , tangit amaror . usque adeo omnibus ab rebus res quaeque fluenter fertur et in cunctas dimittitur undique partis nec mora nec requies interdatur ulla fluendi , perpetuo quoniam sentimus et omnia semper cernere odorari licet et sentire sonare .
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THE SENSES AND MENTAL PICTURES Bodies that strike the eyes, awaking sight. From certain things flow odours evermore, As cold from rivers, heat from sun, and spray From waves of ocean, eater-out of walls Around the coasts. Nor ever cease to flit The varied voices, sounds athrough the air. Then too there comes into the mouth at times The wet of a salt taste, when by the sea We roam about; and so, whene'er we watch The wormword being mixed, its bitter stings. To such degree from all things is each thing Borne streamingly along, and sent about To every region round; and nature grants Nor rest nor respite of the onward flow, Since 'tis incessantly we feeling have, And all the time are suffered to descry And smell all things at hand, and hear them sound. |
| 92 |
Praeterea quoniam manibus tractata figura in tenebris quaedam cognoscitur esse eadem quae cernitur in luce et claro candore , necessest consimili causa tactum visumque moveri . nunc igitur si quadratum temptamus et id nos commovet in tenebris , in luci quae poterit res accidere ad speciem quadrata , nisi eius imago ? esse in imaginibus qua propter causa videtur cernundi neque posse sine his res ulla videri . Nunc ea quae dico rerum simulacra feruntur undique et in cunctas iaciuntur didita partis ; verum nos oculis quia solis cernere quimus , propterea fit uti , speciem quo vertimus , omnes res ibi eam contra feriant forma atque colore . et quantum quaeque ab nobis res absit , imago efficit ut videamus et internoscere curat ; nam cum mittitur , extemplo protrudit agitque aëra qui inter se cumque est oculosque locatus , isque ita per nostras acies perlabitur omnis et quasi perterget pupillas atque ita transit . propterea fit uti videamus quam procul absit res quaeque . et quanto plus aëris ante agitatur et nostros oculos perterget longior aura , tam procul esse magis res quaeque remota videtur . scilicet haec summe celeri ratione geruntur , quale sit ut videamus , et una quam procul absit . Illud in his rebus minime mirabile habendumst , cur , ea quae feriant oculos simulacra videri singula cum nequeant , res ipsae perspiciantur . ventus enim quoque paulatim cum verberat et cum acre fluit frigus , non privam quamque solemus particulam venti sentire et frigoris eius , sed magis unorsum , fierique perinde videmus corpore tum plagas in nostro tam quam aliquae res verberet atque sui det sensum corporis extra . praeterea lapidem digito cum tundimus , ipsum tangimus extremum saxi summumque colorem nec sentimus eum tactu , verum magis ipsam duritiem penitus saxi sentimus in alto .
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Besides, since shape examined by our hands Within the dark is known to be the same As that by eyes perceived within the light And lustrous day, both touch and sight must be By one like cause aroused. So, if we test A square and get its stimulus on us Within the dark, within the light what square Can fall upon our sight, except a square That images the things? Wherefore it seems The source of seeing is in images, Nor without these can anything be viewed. Now these same films I name are borne about And tossed and scattered into regions all. But since we do perceive alone through eyes, It follows hence that whitherso we turn Our sight, all things do strike against it there With form and hue. And just how far from us Each thing may be away, the image yields To us the power to see and chance to tell: For when 'tis sent, at once it shoves ahead And drives along the air that's in the space Betwixt it and our eyes. And thus this air All glides athrough our eyeballs, and, as 'twere, Brushes athrough our pupils and thuswise Passes across. Therefore it comes we see How far from us each thing may be away, And the more air there be that's driven before, And too the longer be the brushing breeze Against our eyes, the farther off removed Each thing is seen to be: forsooth, this work With mightily swift order all goes on, So that upon one instant we may see What kind the object and how far away. Nor over-marvellous must this be deemed In these affairs that, though the films which strike Upon the eyes cannot be singly seen, The things themselves may be perceived. For thus When the wind beats upon us stroke by stroke And when the sharp cold streams, 'tis not our wont To feel each private particle of wind Or of that cold, but rather all at once; And so we see how blows affect our body, As if one thing were beating on the same And giving us the feel of its own body Outside of us. Again, whene'er we thump With finger-tip upon a stone, we touch But the rock's surface and the outer hue, Nor feel that hue by contact- rather feel The very hardness deep within the rock. |
| 93 |
Nunc age , cur ultra speculum videatur imago percipe : nam certe penitus remmota videtur . quod genus illa foris quae vere transpiciuntur , ianua cum per se transpectum praebet apertum , multa facitque foris ex aedibus ut videantur ; is quoque enim duplici geminoque fit aëre visus . primus enim citra postes tum cernitur aër , inde fores ipsae dextra laevaque secuntur , post extraria lux oculos perterget et aër alter , et illa foris quae vere transpiciuntur . sic ubi se primum speculi proiecit imago , dum venit ad nostras acies , protrudit agitque aëra qui inter se cumquest oculosque locatus , et facit , ut prius hunc omnem sentire queamus quam speculum ; sed ubi speculum quoque sensimus ipsum , continuo a nobis in eum quae fertur imago pervenit , et nostros oculos reiecta revisit atque alium prae se propellens aëra volvit , et facit ut prius hunc quam se videamus , eoque distare ab speculo tantum semota videtur . quare etiam atque etiam minime mirarier est par ( ... lost text ... ) illis quae reddunt speculorum ex aequore visum , aëribus binis quoniam res confit utraque . Nunc ea quae nobis membrorum dextera pars est , in speculis fit ut in laeva videatur eo quod planitiem ad speculi veniens cum offendit imago , non convertitur incolumis , sed recta retrorsum sic eliditur , ut siquis , prius arida quam sit cretea persona , adlidat pilaeve trabive , atque ea continuo rectam si fronte figuram servet et elisam retro sese exprimat ipsa . fiet ut , ante oculus fuerit qui dexter , ut idem nunc sit laevus et e laevo sit mutua dexter .
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Now come, and why beyond a looking-glass An image may be seen, perceive. For seen It soothly is, removed far within. 'Tis the same sort as objects peered upon Outside in their true shape, whene'er a door Yields through itself an open peering-place, And lets us see so many things outside Beyond the house. Also that sight is made By a twofold twin air: for first is seen The air inside the door-posts; next the doors, The twain to left and right; and afterwards A light beyond comes brushing through our eyes, Then other air, then objects peered upon Outside in their true shape. And thus, when first The image of the glass projects itself, As to our gaze it comes, it shoves ahead And drives along the air that's in the space Betwixt it and our eyes, and brings to pass That we perceive the air ere yet the glass. But when we've also seen the glass itself, Forthwith that image which from us is borne Reaches the glass, and there thrown back again Comes back unto our eyes, and driving rolls Ahead of itself another air, that then 'Tis this we see before itself, and thus It looks so far removed behind the glass. Wherefore again, again, there's naught for wonder . . . . . . In those which render from the mirror's plane A vision back, since each thing comes to pass By means of the two airs. Now, in the glass The right part of our members is observed Upon the left, because, when comes the image Hitting against the level of the glass, 'Tis not returned unshifted; but forced off Backwards in line direct and not oblique,- Exactly as whoso his plaster-mask Should dash, before 'twere dry, on post or beam, And it should straightway keep, at clinging there, Its shape, reversed, facing him who threw, And so remould the features it gives back: It comes that now the right eye is the left, The left the right. |
| 94 |
Fit quoque de speculo in speculum ut tradatur imago , quinque etiam sex ut fieri simulacra suërint . nam quae cumque retro parte interiore latebunt , inde tamen , quamvis torte penitusque remota , omnia per flexos aditus educta licebit pluribus haec speculis videantur in aedibus esse . usque adeo speculo in speculum translucet imago , et cum laeva data est , fit rusum ut dextera fiat , inde retro rursum redit et convertit eodem . Quin etiam quae cumque latuscula sunt speculorum adsimili lateris flexura praedita nostri , dextera ea propter nobis simulacra remittunt , aut quia de speculo in speculum transfertur imago , inde ad nos elisa bis advolat , aut etiam quod circum agitur , cum venit , imago propterea quod flexa figura docet speculi convertier ad nos . Indugredi porro pariter simulacra pedemque ponere nobiscum credas gestumque imitari propterea quia , de speculi qua parte recedas , continuo nequeunt illinc simulacra reverti ; omnia quandoquidem cogit natura referri ac resilire ab rebus ad aequos reddita flexus . Splendida porro oculi fugitant vitantque tueri . sol etiam caecat , contra si tendere pergas , propterea quia vis magnast ipsius et alte aëra per purum simulacra feruntur et feriunt oculos turbantia composituras . Praeterea splendor qui cumque est acer adurit saepe oculos ideo quod semina possidet ignis multa , dolorem oculis quae gignunt insinuando . lurida praeterea fiunt quae cumque tuentur arquati , quia luroris de corpore eorum semina multa fluunt simulacris obvia rerum , multaque sunt oculis in eorum denique mixta , quae contage sua palloribus omnia pingunt .
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An image too may be From mirror into mirror handed on, Until of idol-films even five or six Have thus been gendered. For whatever things Shall hide back yonder in the house, the same, However far removed in twisting ways, May still be all brought forth through bending paths And by these several mirrors seen to be Within the house, since nature so compels All things to be borne backward and spring off At equal angles from all other things. To such degree the image gleams across From mirror unto mirror; where 'twas left It comes to be the right, and then again Returns and changes round unto the left. Again, those little sides of mirrors curved Proportionate to the bulge of our own flank Send back to us their idols with the right Upon the right; and this is so because Either the image is passed on along From mirror unto mirror, and thereafter, When twice dashed off, flies back unto ourselves; Or else the image wheels itself around, When once unto the mirror it has come, Since the curved surface teaches it to turn To usward. Further, thou might'st well believe That these film-idols step along with us And set their feet in unison with ours And imitate our carriage, since from that Part of a mirror whence thou hast withdrawn Straightway no images can be returned. Further, our eye-balls tend to flee the bright And shun to gaze thereon; the sun even blinds, If thou goest on to strain them unto him, Because his strength is mighty, and the films Heavily downward from on high are borne Through the pure ether and the viewless winds, And strike the eyes, disordering their joints. So piecing lustre often burns the eyes, Because it holdeth many seeds of fire Which, working into eyes, engender pain. Again, whatever jaundiced people view Becomes wan-yellow, since from out their bodies Flow many seeds wan-yellow forth to meet The films of things, and many too are mixed Within their eye, which by contagion paint All things with sallowness. |
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E tenebris autem quae sunt in luce tuemur propterea quia , cum propior caliginis aër ater init oculos prior et possedit apertos , insequitur candens confestim lucidus aër , qui quasi purgat eos ac nigras discutit umbras aëris illius ; nam multis partibus hic est mobilior multisque minutior et mage pollens . qui simul atque vias oculorum luce replevit atque pate fecit , quas ante obsederat aër ATER , continuo rerum simulacra secuntur , quae sita sunt in luce , lacessuntque ut videamus . quod contra facere in tenebris e luce nequimus propterea quia posterior caliginis aër crassior insequitur , qui cuncta foramina complet obsiditque vias oculorum , ne simulacra possint ullarum rerum coniecta moveri . Quadratasque procul turris cum cernimus urbis , propterea fit uti videantur saepe rutundae , angulus optusus quia longe cernitur omnis sive etiam potius non cernitur ac perit eius plaga nec ad nostras acies perlabitur ictus , aëra per multum quia dum simulacra feruntur , cogit hebescere eum crebris offensibus aër . hoc ubi suffugit sensum simul angulus omnis . fit quasi ut ad turnum saxorum structa tuantur ; non tamen ut coram quae sunt vereque rutunda , sed quasi adumbratim paulum simulata videntur . Umbra videtur item nobis in sole moveri et vestigia nostra sequi gestumque imitari , aëra si credis privatum lumine posse indugredi , motus hominum gestumque sequentem ; nam nihil esse potest aliud nisi lumine cassus aër id quod nos umbram perhibere suëmus . ni mirum , quia terra locis ex ordine certis lumine privatur solis qua cumque meantes officimus , repletur item quod liquimus eius , propterea fit uti videatur , quae fuit umbra corporis , e regione eadem nos usque secuta . semper enim nova se radiorum lumina fundunt primaque dispereunt , quasi in ignem lana trahatur . propterea facile et spoliatur lumine terra et repletur item nigrasque sibi abluit umbras .
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Again, we view From dark recesses things that stand in light, Because, when first has entered and possessed The open eyes this nearer darkling air, Swiftly the shining air and luminous Followeth in, which purges then the eyes And scatters asunder of that other air The sable shadows, for in large degrees This air is nimbler, nicer, and more strong. And soon as ever 'thas filled and oped with light The pathways of the eyeballs, which before Black air had blocked, there follow straightaway Those films of things out-standing in the light, Provoking vision- what we cannot do From out the light with objects in the dark, Because that denser darkling air behind Followeth in, and fills each aperture And thus blockades the pathways of the eyes That there no images of any things Can be thrown in and agitate the eyes. And when from far away we do behold The squared towers of a city, oft Rounded they seem,- on this account because Each distant angle is perceived obtuse, Or rather it is not perceived at all; And perishes its blow nor to our gaze Arrives its stroke, since through such length of air Are borne along the idols that the air Makes blunt the idol of the angle's point By numerous collidings. When thuswise The angles of the tower each and all Have quite escaped the sense, the stones appear As rubbed and rounded on a turner's wheel- Yet not like objects near and truly round, But with a semblance to them, shadowily. Likewise, our shadow in the sun appears To move along and follow our own steps And imitate our carriage- if thou thinkest Air that is thus bereft of light can walk, Following the gait and motion of mankind. For what we use to name a shadow, sure Is naught but air deprived of light. No marvel: Because the earth from spot to spot is reft Progressively of light of sun, whenever In moving round we get within its way, While any spot of earth by us abandoned Is filled with light again, on this account It comes to pass that what was body's shadow Seems still the same to follow after us In one straight course. Since, evermore pour in New lights of rays, and perish then the old, Just like the wool that's drawn into the flame. Therefore the earth is easily spoiled of light And easily refilled and from herself Washeth the black shadows quite away. |
| 96 |
Nec tamen hic oculos falli concedimus hilum . nam quo cumque loco sit lux atque umbra tueri illorum est ; eadem vero sint lumina necne , umbraque quae fuit hic eadem nunc transeat illuc , an potius fiat paulo quod diximus ante , hoc animi demum ratio discernere debet , nec possunt oculi naturam noscere rerum . proinde animi vitium hoc oculis adfingere noli . Qua vehimur navi , fertur , cum stare videtur ; quae manet in statione , ea praeter creditur ire . et fugere ad puppim colles campique videntur , quos agimus praeter navem velisque volamus . Sidera cessare aetheriis adfixa cavernis cuncta videntur , et adsiduo sunt omnia motu , quandoquidem longos obitus exorta revisunt , cum permensa suo sunt caelum corpore claro . solque pari ratione manere et luna videtur in statione , ea quae ferri res indicat ipsa . Exstantisque procul medio de gurgite montis classibus inter quos liber patet exitus ingens , insula coniunctis tamen ex his una videtur . atria versari et circum cursare columnae usque adeo fit uti pueris videantur , ubi ipsi desierunt verti , vix ut iam credere possint non supra sese ruere omnia tecta minari . Iamque rubrum tremulis iubar ignibus erigere alte cum coeptat natura supraque extollere montes , quos tibi tum supra sol montis esse videtur comminus ipse suo contingens fervidus igni , vix absunt nobis missus bis mille sagittae , vix etiam cursus quingentos saepe veruti ; inter eos solemque iacent immania ponti aequora substrata aetheriis ingentibus oris , interiectaque sunt terrarum milia multa , quae variae retinent gentes et saecla ferarum .
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And yet in this we don't at all concede That eyes be cheated. For their task it is To note in whatsoever place be light, In what be shadow: whether or no the gleams Be still the same, and whether the shadow which Just now was here is that one passing thither, Or whether the facts be what we said above, 'Tis after all the reasoning of mind That must decide; nor can our eyeballs know The nature of reality. And so Attach thou not this fault of mind to eyes, Nor lightly think our senses everywhere Are tottering. The ship in which we sail Is borne along, although it seems to stand; The ship that bides in roadstead is supposed There to be passing by. And hills and fields Seem fleeing fast astern, past which we urge The ship and fly under the bellying sails. The stars, each one, do seem to pause, affixed To the ethereal caverns, though they all Forever are in motion, rising out And thence revisiting their far descents When they have measured with their bodies bright The span of heaven. And likewise sun and moon Seem biding in a roadstead,- objects which, As plain fact proves, are really borne along. Between two mountains far away aloft From midst the whirl of waters open lies A gaping exit for the fleet, and yet They seem conjoined in a single isle. When boys themselves have stopped their spinning round, The halls still seem to whirl and posts to reel, Until they now must almost think the roofs Threaten to ruin down upon their heads. And now, when nature begins to lift on high The sun's red splendour and the tremulous fires, And raise him o'er the mountain-tops, those mountains- O'er which he seemeth then to thee to be, His glowing self hard by atingeing them With his own fire- are yet away from us Scarcely two thousand arrow-shots, indeed Oft scarce five hundred courses of a dart; Although between those mountains and the sun Lie the huge plains of ocean spread beneath The vasty shores of ether, and intervene A thousand lands, possessed by many a folk And generations of wild beasts. Again, |