University of Virginia Library

Search this document 
Poems, and phancies

written By the Thrice Noble, Illustrious, And Excellent Princess The Lady Marchioness of Newcastle [i.e. Margaret Cavendish]. The Second Impression, much Altered and Corrected

collapse section 
  
  
  
  
  
  
expand sectionI. 
expand sectionII. 
collapse sectionIII. 
  
  
  
  
collapse section 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
Nature's Officers.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
expand section 
expand sectionIV. 
expand sectionV. 

Nature's Officers.

Eternity as Usher goes before,
And Destiny, as Porter, keeps the Door

163

Of the great World, who lets Life out and in;
The Fates, her Maids, the Thread of Life do Spin,
Change Orders all with Industry and Care,
Motion, her Foot-boy, runneth every where;
Time, as her Page doth carry up her Train,
But in his Service he doth little gain;
The Days are the Surveyors, which do view
All Nature's works, that are both Old and New;
The Seasons four by turns their Circuits take,
Like Judges sit, and Distributions make;
The Months as Pen-clerks write down every thing,
Make Deeds of Gifts, and Bonds of all that spring;
Life's Office is to Pay, and give out all
To her Receiver, Death, when he doth Call.