A World in an Earring

An Earring round may well a Zodiac be,

Wherein a Sun goeth round, and we not see.

And Planets seven about that Sun may move,

And He stand still, as some wise men would prove.

And fixed Stars, like twinkling Diamonds, placed

About this Earring, which a World is vast.

That same which doth the Earring hold, the hole,

Is that, which we do call the Pole.

There nipping Frosts may be, and Winter cold,

Yet never on the Lady’s Ear take hold.

And Lightnings, Thunder, and great Winds may blow

Within this Earring, yet the Ear not know.

There Seas may ebb, and flow, where Fishes swim,

And Islands be, where Spices grow therein.

There Crystal Rocks hang dangling at each Ear,

And Golden Mines as Jewels may they wear.

There Earthquakes be, which Mountains vast down fling,

And yet ne’er stir the Lady’s Ear, nor Ring.

There Meadows be, and Pastures fresh, and green,

And Cattle feed, and yet be never seen:

And Gardens fresh, and Birds which sweetly sing,

Although we hear them not in an Earring.

There Night, and Day, and Heat, and Cold, and so

May Life, and Death, and Young, and Old, still grow.

Thus Youth may spring, and several Ages die,

Great Plagues may be, and no Infections nigh.

There Cities be, and stately Houses built,

Their inside gay, and finely may be gilt.

There Churches be, and Priests to teach therein,

And Steeple too, yet hear the Bells not ring.

From thence may pious Tears to Heaven run,

And yet the Ear not know which way they’re gone.

There Markets be, and things both bought, and sold,

Know not the price, nor how the Markets hold.

There Governors do rule, and Kings do Reign,

And Battles fought, where many may be slain.

And all within the Compass of this Ring,

And yet not the tidings to the Wearer bring.

Within the Ring wise Counselors may sit,

And yet the Ear not one wise word may get.

There may be dancing all Night at a Ball,

And yet the Ear be not disturbed at all.

There Rivals Duels fight, where some are slain;

There Lovers mourn, yet hear them not complain.

And Death may dig a Lover’s Grave, thus were

A Lover dead, in a fair Lady’s Ear.

But when the Ring is broke, the World is done,

Then Lovers they into Elysium run.