POETRYCopyright © SAVVAS Learning Company LLC. All Rights Reserved.
NOTESBACKGROUND
Cavendish’s poetry often served as a vehicle for her intellectual interests
and pursuits. In this case, the poem is informed by her understanding
of intelligence as a material process not involving any soul or other
immortal, immaterial component.In gardens sweet each flower mark did I,
How they did spring, bud, blow, wither and die.With that, contemplating of man’s short stay,
Saw man like to those flowers pass away.Yet built he houses, thick and strong and high,
As if he’d live to all Eternity.Hoards up a mass of wealth, yet cannot fill
His empty mind, but covet will he still.To gain or keep, such falsehood will he use!
Wrong, right or truth—no base^1 ways will refuse.- djbase a. immoral, wrong.
510Meet the Poet
Margaret Lucas Cavendish (1623–1673) wrote
prolifically and under her own name during a time
when most women writers wrote anonymously. An
English philosopher, poet, scientist, playwright, and
early science-fiction writer, Cavendish engaged with
other luminaries of the Scientific Revolution and the
nascent Age of Reason. Her philosophy included an
early argument against the existence of an intangible soul separate from
the body and brain.Man’s Short Life and
Foolish Ambition
Margaret Cavendish,
Duchess of Newcastle
UNIT 3 Independent Learning • Man’s Short Life and Foolish Ambition IL8