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34 “Of Many Worlds in this World”

Margaret Cavendish

Just like as in a nest of boxes round 
Degrees of sizes in each box are found, 
So in this world, may many worlds more be, 
Thinner and less, and less still by degree. 
Although they are not subject to our sense,              5 
A world may be no bigger than twopence. 
Nature is curious, and such works may shape
Which our dull senses easily escape.
For creatures small as atoms may be there, 
If every atom a creature’s figure bear.                    10 
If atoms four a world can make, then see 
What several worlds might in an earring be. 
For millions of these atoms may be in 
The head of one small little single pin. 
And if thus small, then ladies well may wear       15 
A world of worlds as pendants in each ear. 

Source:

“Of Many Worlds in this World” edited by Liza Blake from Margaret Cavendish’s Poems and Fancies licensed by CC BY-NC

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"Of Many Worlds in this World" Copyright © by Margaret Cavendish is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License, except where otherwise noted.