Of Burning, Why It Causes Pain

¹

The reason why fire burns,² and burning smarts,
Is that it hath so many³ little parts—
Which parts are atoms sharp, and wound more fierce⁴
If they so far into our skins do pierce—⁵
And like an angry porcupine, doth shoot⁶                             5
His⁷ fiery quills, if nothing quench them out.
Their figure makes their motion nimble, quick,⁸
And being sharp, they do like⁹ needles prick.
If they do pierce too deep,¹⁰ our flesh will¹¹ ache;
If they but¹² touch the skin,¹³ we pleasure take;                 10
That kind of pain we do¹⁴ a “burning” call.
These atoms numerous are,¹⁵ and very small,
And make from needles’ points¹⁶ a different touch,
Whose¹⁷ points are gross, and numbers not so much,
And¹⁸ cannot lie so close, nor¹⁹ spread so thin,                   15
All at one time to enter through our skin.²⁰

1. In 1653 this poem is called “Of Burning”
2. The reason why fire burns,] The cause why Fire doth burne, 1653
3. Is that it hath so many] The reason is of Numerous 1653
4. and wound more fierce] that wound like Stings, 1653
5. into our skins do pierce—] do peirce into our Skynes; 1653
6. like an angry porcupine, doth shoot] like a Porcupine, do shoot about 1664, 1668
7. His] Their 1664, 1668
8. nimble, quick,] sudden, quicke, 1653; nimble & quick, 1664
9. do like] like to 1668
10. do pierce too deep, our flesh will] peirce deep, do make our flesh to 1653
11. A marginal note in Cavendish’s 1653 text reads: “When it burns.”
12. they but] only 1653
13. A marginal note in Cavendish’s 1653 text reads: “Warmth.” In 1664 and 1668 it reads, “When it warms.”
14. we do] do we 1653
15. These atoms numerous are,] For Atomes numerous, 1653
16. And make from needles’ points] Do make from Needles point 1653
17. Whose] Which 1664, 1668
18. And] Which 1653
19. nor] and 1653
20. to enter through our skin.] our Pores to enter in. 1653