Κούφη γῆ τοῦτον καλύπτοι
may light earth cover him, may the earth covering him be light
Translated by Catharine Roth14 Feb 2009Vetting: high6 revisions
Translation
Meaning hanging [sc. in space].1
Earth is called "lighter than earth," not being light in a plain sense; and fire [is called] "heavier than fire," not being heavy in a plain sense; but that which rises of its own accord to a higher place is "light." For earth is called "light" because of being relatively portable and easy to lift; and that fire [is called] "heavy" which follows2 downwards with relative ease. And these things are said by analogy, but not in a proper sense.3
Earth is called "lighter than earth," not being light in a plain sense; and fire [is called] "heavier than fire," not being heavy in a plain sense; but that which rises of its own accord to a higher place is "light." For earth is called "light" because of being relatively portable and easy to lift; and that fire [is called] "heavy" which follows2 downwards with relative ease. And these things are said by analogy, but not in a proper sense.3