But as we must go into the water, and the stream is strong, I will first attempt to cross by myself, and if I arrive at the bank, you shall follow.

Remembering that you are unaccustomed to such discussions, I will ask and answer the questions myself, while you listen in safety.
But first I must pray the Gods to assist at the demonstration of their own existence--if ever we are to call upon them, now is the time.

Let me hold fast to the rope, and enter into the depths: Shall I put the question to myself in this form ?--Are all things at rest, and is nothing in motion?
or are some things in motion, and some things at rest?
'The latter.' And do they move and rest, some in one place, some in more?
'Yes.' There may be (1) motion in the same place, as in revolution on an axis, which is imparted swiftly to the larger and slowly to the lesser circle; and there may be motion in different places, having sometimes (2) one centre of motion and sometimes (3) more.

(4) When bodies in motion come against other bodies which are at rest, they are divided by them, and (5) when they are caught between other bodies coming from opposite directions they unite with them; and (6) they grow by union and (7) waste by dissolution while their constitution remains the same, but are (8) destroyed when their constitution fails.

There is a growth from one dimension to two, and from a second to a third, which then becomes perceptible to sense; this process is called generation, and the opposite, destruction.