Genre:

Poetry

Subjects:

Astronomy, Alchemy, Ancient Authorities, Extra-Terrestrial Life

    A series of speculations concerning the sun, moon and planets. Suggests that Mars, the god of war, might be a 'monster cannon-ball', and asks why the Romans called the earth both 'Tellus and Terra'. Noting that no atmosphere 'invests' the moon, observes that lunar inhabitants could not possess balloons. The size of Jupiter compared to other planets is likened to that of a 'turnip [...] to turnip radishes'. Observes that given Saturn's size and weight, its land must be 'as light as cork'. Uranus is described as 'out of sight' but 'not out of mind', and Neptune is asked to thank John C Adams and Urbain J J Leverrier for having an 'orb' named after him.