Margaret Cavendish - If Infinite Worlds, Infinite Centres

Song Meaning

This poem grapples with the spatial logic of a universe potentially filled with infinite worlds. The narrator immediately confronts a practical problem: if these worlds are close, they'd collide; if they're far apart, there's an unbridgeable void. This sets up a puzzle about cosmic arrangement and the forces that might govern it. The core tension lies in reconciling the idea of infinite worlds with the need for order and non-interference. The narrator proposes a solution involving the medium of air, likening it to water that keeps celestial bodies in their "order right." This air acts as a containing and flowing substance, preventing "justling" and ensuring worlds don't "strike" each other. It's a fascinating image of a dynamic, fluid cosmos where a surrounding medium dictates movement and separation. The comparison to water wheels suggests a mechanism where the flow of air imparts rotational motion to the worlds themselves. The poem's most striking craft element is its extended simile comparing the worlds' movement to thrown bowls. This analogy grounds the abstract concept of celestial mechanics in a relatable, physical action. The "strength" that throws the bowl becomes the impetus for the world's motion, and the world "runs" until that strength is exhausted, much like a thrown object. This comparison emphasizes a sense of directed, finite motion within the potentially infinite expanse. Ultimately, the lyrics suggest a universe where order is maintained not by sheer distance or rigid structure, but by a pervasive, flowing medium and inherent principles of motion. The final lines, "But still the Jacke, and Center is the Sun," ground this complex cosmic dance, implying a central organizing force or point of reference around which these "bowle-like" worlds revolve. The effectiveness lies in its clear, almost mechanical reasoning applied to grand philosophical questions.