Et primum faciunt ignem se vortere in auras 

 Aeris; hinc imbrem gigni terramque creari 

 Ex imbri; retroque a terra cuncta revorti, 

 Humorem primum, post aera deinde calorem; 

 Nee cessare hsec inter se mutare, meare, 

 De ccelo ad terram de terra ad sidera mundi. 



LUCRETIUS, i. 783. 



Water, and air, and fire, alternate run 



Their endless circle, multiform, yet one. 



For, moulded by the fervour's latent beams, 



Solids flow loose, and fluids flash to steams, 



And elemental flame, with secret force, 



Pursues through earth, air, sky, its stated course. 



