Prose Paraphrase

Margaret Cavendish, "Body and Soul"

Mighty nature provides a body, which is made by fate, to cover the soul.  This dress wears out as time passes and is damaged by sickness.  Then death gently takes it off and puts it away in the grave where it cannot be harmed.  After that, death will wash this garment until it is clean and pleasant for the soul to wear again.

Margaret Cavendish, "Of the Theme of Love"

Oh love, you have been used as a theme in poems for so long.  Poets have written about you in every aspect.  You are like a tree on which poets climb to pluck your sweet fruits which nourish their imagination.  Now love, poets have stripped you, so you are barren like a tree with scarcely any fruit left for any poet to write about anymore.