Nature’s Wardrobe

In Nature’s wardrobe there hangs up great store
Of several garments; some are rich, some poor.
Some, made on1 beauty’s2 stuff, with smiles are3 laced;
With lovely favor is the outside faced.
Some fresh and new by sicknesses are4 rent,                           5
Not taking any care them5 to prevent.
But physic and good diet had6 again
Sewed up the slits, that none did yet7 remain.
Some worn so bare with age, that none could see
What stuff’t8 had been, or what it yet might9 be.                    10
Others were so ill-shaped, their10 stuff so coarse,
That11 none would wear unless it were by force.12
And several mantles Nature made were there,
To keep her creatures warm from the cold air.
As sables, martins,13 and the fox that’s black,14                       15
The powdered ermines, and the fierce wild cat.15
Most of her creatures she hath clad in fur,
Which need16 no fire, if they do17 but stir.
And some in wool she clads, as well as hair,
And some in scales; others do feathers wear.                           20
But man, his skin she made18 so smooth and fair,
It needs no feathers,19 scales, wool, nor hair.
The outside of all things Nature keeps here20
For several creatures, which21 she makes to22 wear.
Death pulls them off, Life puts them on, but Nature23            25
Takes care to fit each garment for each creature.24
Nature hath but two sorts of stuffs25 whereon26
All garments are made that Life puts on.27
But yet these of such several fashions are,28
That seldom any two alike appear.                                             30
And29 Nature several trimmings for them30 makes,
And several colors for each trimming takes.

  1. on] of 1664, 1668
  2. beauty’s] Beauties 1653
  3. are] well 1664, 1668
  4. are] were 1664, 1668
  5. taking any care them] having care the same for 1653
  6. But physic and good diet had] Physick, and good Diet sowes close 1653
  7. Sewed up the slits, that none did yet] That none could see where those slits did 1653
  8. stuff’t] Stuff it 1653
  9. yet might] might 1653
  10. their] and 1653
  11. That] As 1664, 1668
  12. unless it were by force.] least Nature did inforce. 1653
  13. martins,] Martin, 1653
  14. the fox that’s black,] black Fox good store, 1664; Black-Fox good store; 1668
  15. The powdered ermines, and the fierce wild cat.] Ermins, and fierce wild Cats, and many more; 1664; Ermins, and fierce Wild-Cats, and many more. 1668
  16. need] needs 1653
  17. if they do] at all, if they 1664, 1668
  18. his skin she made] She made his Skin 1653
  19. It needs no feathers,] He doth not need Feathers, 1664, Feathers he doth not need, 1668
  20. here] there, 1664, 1668
  21. For several creatures, which] Severall Creatures that 1653
  22. to] them 1664, 1668
  23. Life puts them on, but Nature] and Life doth put them on, 1653
  24. Takes care to fit each garment for each creature.] Nature takes care that none puts on the wrong. 1653
  25. A marginal note in Cavendish’s text reads, “Flesh and fish.”
  26. Nature hath but two sorts of stuffs whereon] ’Tis true, there are but two Sorts, and no more 1664; ’Tis true, there are but Two sorts, and no more, 1668
  27. All garments are made that Life puts on.] All garments which are made, that Life puts on. 1653; Of Stuffsa, whereof are Garments made in Store; 1664; Of a Stuffs, whereof are Garments made in store. 1668
  28. these of such several fashions are,] such severall Sorts there is to weare, 1653
  29. And] Bnt 1653
  30. them] those Garments 1653