Small atoms of themselves a world may make
-- Speaker (Line 1 )

Importance: This first line introduces the poem's primary philosophical contention: atomism. Cavendish provides the reader with a one-sentence summary of that idea: that the universe is made up of "small" things, called "atoms," and that everything in the world may be made up of them (1). Though today this seems an obvious fact, Cavendish was actually supporting an idea that, at the time, was merely hypothetical.

Being subtle, every shape they take
-- Speaker (Line 2)

Importance: Cavendish expands on her theory of atomism. She describes atoms as clever entities, able to take on many different roles. Their "subtle" nature means it is possible for them to change into any "shape" imaginable (2). This is one of the fundamental principles underlying the theory of atomism: that these invisible particles are so changeable that they can take on any shape.

So atoms as they dance find places fit
-- Speaker (Line 11)

Importance: The speaker describes...