REFLECTIONS.

That would otherwise sink back again toward the center.
The juggler, to entice the crowd at the market
With his juggling art, for sale at every fair,
Swirls round and round, and rolls ten eggs steeply
Up the groove, along his stick, and lures them down,
When he turns more slowly, and walks with his steps.
The simple folk, who do not notice the drift of the air,
Gape at the rogue, as one who works wonders.
The water bubble, full of air, is driven into the air,
Until it bursts, and through the crack gives up its spirit The word "spirit" (Dutch: geest) is used here to mean both the air trapped inside and the animating force or "ghost" of the bubble..
The air stretches out bladders, upon which the swimmer floats,
So long as no needle pricks it, and the bladder remains closed.
The air in the air-gun (wintroer): an early pneumatic weapon that used highly compressed air to fire projectiles silently, which, screwed and compressed together,
Bursts out, and shoots with lead an oak plank to splinters;
And the air-gun is well-suited for an attack, if one notices
That it does not reveal itself, like the fire from a musket.

From so many works a firm proof is drawn
That air has its essence, though it refuses to our eyes
To reveal itself, because of its thinness and lightness;
Which is why the name of "spirit" has also been assigned to it—
Not that it is a spirit which is felt or struck,
But by comparison to other coarser substances
And elements, its kin, which maintain the kingdom
Of the world with their power together.
Do you acknowledge this? Why then do you fear to believe in a Godhead,
Whose essence, pure spirit, transcends our senses?

The wind is invisible and is recognized by its effects.

The wind is not seen, but nonetheless felt,
And heard, when it rustles, and blows, and roars, and seethes.
The connoisseur of nature A "connoisseur of nature" refers to a natural philosopher or a scientist of the 17th century. remains breathless
When he must speak of the origin of the king of the winds original: "wintvorst"; a poetic personification of the wind’s source or a reference to the mythological ruler of winds, Aeolus.;
From where he comes; whither he secretly drives.
If a doubter now remains so stubborn here
That he denies the wind, even more foolish than the herds,
Then let him say what spirit can shake with such power?