How then the spirit o'er the water hovered.
Th' inspirèd pen of old Pythagoras
By Naso's guide relates how in this mass
All things do alter shape, yet soon Dame Nature
320Of one form lost informs another feature.
No substance 's nothingèd in this large globe,
But 'gainst some feast puts on a newer robe.
The earth, resolved to water, rarefies
Into pure air; the thinner water flies;
The purer air assumes a scorching heat.