Again, whatever things abide eternally, Must either, because they are of solid body, Repulse assaults, nor suffer anything To penetrate them, which might have the power To disunite the close-locked parts within: (Such are those bodies whereof matter is made, Whose nature we have shown before:) or else They must be able to endure throughout All time, because they are exempt from blows, As void is, which abides untouched, nor suffers One whit from any stroke: or else because There is no further space surrounding them, Into which things might as it were depart And be dissolved; even as the sum of sums Is eternal, nor is there any space Outside it, into which its particles Might spring asunder, nor are there other bodies That could strike and dissolve them with strong blows. But neither, as I have shown, is this world’s nature Solid, since there is void mixed up in things; Nor yet is it like void; nor verily Are atoms lacking that might well collect Out of the infinite, and overwhelm This sum of things with violent hurricane, Or threaten it with some other form of ruin; Nor further is there any want of room And of deep space, into which the world’s walls Might be dispersed abroad; or they may perish Shattered by any other force you will. Therefore the gates of death are never closed Against sky, sun or earth, or the deep seas; But they stand open, awaiting them with huge Vast-gaping jaws. So you must needs admit That all these likewise once were born: for things Of mortal body could not until now Through infinite past ages have defied The strong powers of immeasurable time.