You are currently browsing the tag archive for the ‘Margaret Cavendish’ tag.
Image via Wikipedia
Of Many Worlds in This World
Just like as in a nest of boxes round,
Degrees of sizes in each box are found:
So, in this world, may many others be
Thinner and less, and less still by degree:
Although they are not subject to our sense,
A world may be no bigger than two-pence.
Nature is curious, and such works may shape,
Which our dull senses easily escape:
For creatures, small as atoms, may there be,
If every one a creature’s figure bear.
If atoms four, a world can make, then see
What several worlds might in an ear-ring be:
For, millions of those atoms may be in
The head of one small, little, single pin.
And if thus small, then ladies may well wear
A world of worlds, as pendents in each ear.
Another poem from the inimitable Margaret Cavendish (1623-1673), Duchess of Newcastle, poet, science fiction author and the first woman invited to attend the Royal Society. I posted about her last year, too.
“I would rather die in the adventure of noble achievements than live in obscure and sluggish security.”
A World made by Atomes
by Margaret Cavendish, 1653
SMall Atomes of themselves a World may make,
As being subtle, and of every shape:
And as they dance about, fit places finde,
Such Formes as best agree, make every kinde.
For when we build a house of Bricke, and Stone,
We lay them even, every one by one:
And when we finde a gap that’s big, or small,
We seeke out Stones, to fit that place withall.
For when not fit, too big, or little be,
They fall away, and cannot stay we see.
So Atomes, as they dance, finde places fit,
They there remaine, lye close, and fast will sticke.
Those that unfit, the rest that rove about,
Do never leave, untill they thrust them out.
Thus by their severall Motions, and their Formes,
As severall work-men serve each others turnes.
And thus, by chance, may a New World create:
Or else predestined to worke my Fate.
Margaret Cavendish
Today, I came across a fascinating bunch of “atomic poems” by Margaret Cavendish (born Margaret Lucas), Duchess of Newcastle. Born in 1623, she went on to write many books, poems and plays, including works of science fiction and the series of poems about atoms. The poems mightn’t be that great individually, but it’s the fact that she wrote them at all, particularly in the seventeenth century, that I find so interesting.
Her theories about atoms include atoms coming in four types: “Square flat Atomes” that make up earth, “Round Atomes” that make up water, “Long streight Atomes” that make up air and “Sharp Atomes” that make up fire.
Apparently she was the first woman invited to attend the Royal Society (three hundred years before the second) and was treated to demonstrations of the weighing of air, the dissolution of mutton in sulphuric acid, magnetic power, Robert Boyle’s theory of colors, and Robert Hooke’s microscope.
Recent Comments