The Blazing World and Other Writings

THE BLAZING WORLD

AND OTHER WRITINGS

By MARGARET CAVENDISH

The Blazing World and Other Writings

By Margaret Cavendish

Print ISBN 13: 978-1-4209-7138-5

eBook ISBN 13: 978-1-4209-7139-2

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Cover Image: a detail of HMS Investigator running through a narrow channel in a snow storm, between grounded and packed ice, September 23rd 1851, 1854, by Samuel Gurney Cresswell, c. 1854 / Bridgeman Images.

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CONTENTS

THE CONTRACT

ASSAULTED AND PURSUED CHASTITY.

THE BLAZING-WORLD

The Contract

A noble Gentleman that had been married many years, but his wife (being barren) did bear him no children; at last she died, and his friends did advise him to marry again, because his brother’s children were dead, and his wife was likely to have no more. So he took to wife a virtuous young lady; and after one year she conceived with child, and great joy there was of all sides: but in her child-bed she died, leaving only one daughter to her sorrowful husband, who in a short time (oppressed with melancholy) dyed, and left his daughter (who was not a year old) to the care and breeding of his brother, and withal left her a great estate, for he was very rich. After the ceremonies of the funeral, his brother carried the child home, which was nursed up very carefully by his wife; and being all that was likely to succeed in their family, the uncle grew extremely fond and tender of his niece, insomuch that she was all the comfort and delight of his life.

A great duke, which commanded that Province, would often come and eat a breakfast with this gentleman, as he rid a-hunting; and so often they met after this manner, that there grew a great friendship betwixt them: for this gentleman was well bred, knowing the world by his travels in his younger days; and though he had served in the wars, and fought many battles, yet was he not ignorant of courtly entertainments. Besides, he was of a very good conversation, for he had a voluble tongue, and a ready understanding; and in his retired life, was a great student, whereby he became an excellent scholar; so that the duke took great delight in his company. Besides, the duke had a desire to match the niece of this gentleman, his friend, to his younger son, having only two sons; and knowing this child had a great estate left by her father; and was likely to have her uncle’s estate joined thereto, he was earnest upon it: but her uncle was unwilling to marry her to a younger brother, although he was of a great family: but, with much persuasion, he agreed, and gave his consent, when she was old enough to marry; for she was then not seven years old. But the duke fell very sick; and when the physicians told him, he could not live, he sent for the gentleman and his niece, to take his last farewell; and when they came, the duke desired his friend, that he would agree to join his niece and his son in marriage.

He answered, that he was very willing, if she were of years to consent.

Said the duke, I desire we may do our parts; which is, to join them as fast as we can: for youth is wild, various, and inconstant; and when I am dead, I know not how my son may dispose of himself when he is left to his own choice: for he privately found his Son very unwilling, being a man grown, to marry a child.

The gentleman seeing him so desirous to marry, agreed to what he desired.

The duke called his son privately to him, and told him, his intentions were to see him bestowed in marriage, before he died.

His son desired him, not to marry him against his mind, to a child.

His father told him, she had a great estate, and it was like to be greater, by reason all the revenue was laid up to increase it: and besides, she was likely to be heir to her uncle, who loved her as his own child; and her riches may draw so many suitors when she is a woman, said he, that you may be refused.

He told his father, her riches could not make him happy, if he could not affect her.

Whereupon the duke grew so angry, that he said, his disobedience would disturb his death, leaving the world with an unsatisfied mind.

Whereupon he seemed to consent, to please his father. Then were they as firmly contracted, as the priest could make them, and two or three witnesses to avow it.

But after his father was dead, he (being discontented) went to the wars, and in short time was called from thence, by reason his elder brother died, and so the dukedom and all the estate came to him, being then the only heir. But he never came near the young lady, nor so much as sent to her; for he was at that time extremely in love with a great lady, who was young and handsome, being wife to a grandee which was very rich, but was very old; whose age made her more facile to young lovers, especially to this young duke, who was favored by nature, fortune, and breeding: for he was very handsome, and of a ready wit; active, valiant, full of generosity; affable, well-fashioned; and had he not been sullied with some debaucheries, he had been the completest man in that Age.

The old gentleman perceiving his neglect towards his niece, and hearing of his affection to that lady, strove by all the care and industry he could, to give her such breeding as might win his love: not that he was negligent before she was contracted to him; for from the time of four years old, she was taught all that her age was capable of; as, to sing, and to dance: for, he would have that artificial motion become as natural; and so to grow in perfections, as she grew in years. When she was seven years of age, he chose her such books to read, as might make her wise, not amorous; for he never suffered her to read in romances, nor such light books: but moral philosophy was the first of her studies, to lay a ground and foundation of virtue, and to teach her to moderate her passions, and to rule her affections. The next study was history, to learn her experience by the second hand; reading the good fortunes and misfortunes of former times; the errors that were committed, the advantages that were lost, the humors and dispositions of men, the laws and customs of nations; their rise, and their fallings; of their wars and agreements, and the like.

The next study to that, was the best of poets, to delight in their fancies, and in their wit; and this she did not only read, but repeat what she had read every evening before she went to bed. Besides, he taught her to understand what she read, by explaining that which was hard and obscure. Thus she was always busily employed; for she had little time allowed her for childish recreations.

Thus did he make her breeding his only business and employment: for he lived obscurely and privately, keeping but a little family, and having little or no acquaintance, but lived a kind of a monastical life.

But when the niece was about thirteen years of age, he heard the duke was married to the lady with which he was enamored: for being by the death of her husband left a rich widow, she claimed from him a promise that he made her whilst her husband was living, that when he died (being an old man, and not likely to live long) to marry her: which he was loath to do; for men that love the pleasures of the world, care not to be encumbered and obstructed with a wife; and so did not at all reflect neither upon his contract with the young lady; for after his father died, he resolved not to take her to wife; for she being so young, he thought the contract of no validity. But the widow seeming more coy than in her husband’s time, seeking thereby to draw him to marry her; and, being overcome by several ways of subtlety, he married her. Whereupon the uncle was mightily troubled, and very melancholy; which his niece perceived, and desired of him to know the cause; which he told her.

Is this the only reason, said she?

Yes, said he: and doth it not trouble you?

No, said she, unless I had been forsaken for some sinful crime I had committed against heaven, or had infringed the laws of honor, or had broken the rules of modesty, or some misdemeanor against him, or some defect in nature, then I should have lamented, but not for the loss of the man, but for the cause of the loss; for then all the world might have justly defamed me with a dishonorable reproach: but now I can look the world in the face with as confident a brow as innocence can arm. Besides, it is likely I might have been unhappy in a man that could not affect me. Wherefore, good uncle, be not melancholy, but think that fortune hath befriended me, or that destiny had decreed it so to be: if so, we are to thank the one, and it was impossible to avoid the other: and if the fates spin a long thread of your life, I shall never murmur for that loss, but give thanks to the gods for this blessing.

O, but child, said he, the duke was the greatest and richest match, since his brother died, in the kingdom: and I would not have thy virtue, beauty, youth, wealth, and breeding, stoop to a low fortune, when thou mayest be a match fit for the emperor of the whole world, in a few years, if you grow up, and go on as you have begun.

O uncle, said she, let not your natural affection make you a partial judge, to give the sentence of more desert in me, than I can own: if I have virtue, it is a reward sufficient in itself: if I have beauty, it is but one of nature’s fading favors; and those that loved me for it, may hate me when it is gone: and if I be rich, as you say I am like to be: who are happier than those that are mistresses of their own fortunes? Having bred me well, I shall be happy in what condition so ever I am in, being content; for that is the end and felicity of the mind.

But if thou hadst been in love with him (said her uncle), where had been your content then? For no education can keep out that passion.

I hope (said she) the gods will be more merciful, than to suffer in me such passions as I cannot rule. What manner of man he, said she? For I was too young to remember him.

His person (said he) is handsome enough.

That is his outside, said she; but, what is his inside? What is his nature and disposition?

Debauched, said he, and loves his luxuries.

Heavens have blessed me from him, said she.

Well, said her uncle, since I am crossed in thy marriage, I will strive to make thee a mirror of the time: wherefore I will carry thee to the metropolitan city for thy better education; for here thou art bred obscurely, and canst learn little, because thou hearest and seest little. You shall not appear to the world this two or three years, but go always veiled, for the sight of thy face will divulge thee; neither will we have acquaintance or commerce with any; but observe, hear, and see so much as we can, without being known.

Sir, said she, I shall be ruled by your direction; for I know my small bark will swim the better and safer for your steerage: wherefore I shall not fear to launch it into the deepest or most dangerous places of the world, which I suppose are the great and populous cities. So, making but small preparations, only what was for mere necessity, they took their journey speedily, carrying no other servants but those that knew and used to obey their master’s will. And when they came to the city, they took private lodging; where, after they had rested some few days, he carried her every day (once or twice a day) abroad, after her exercise of dancing and music was done. For, being careful she should not only keep what she had learned, but learn what she knew not; after her lessons at home, he carried her to lectures, according as he heard where any were read, either of natural philosophy, (for this she had studied least: but taking much delight therein, she had various speculations thereof) or of physics and chemistry, of music, and of divers others, on such days as they were read. Also, he carried her to places of judicature, to hear great causes decided; and to hear the several pleadings, or rather wranglings, of several lawyers; but never to court, masques, plays, nor balls: and she always went to the public places aforementioned, masqued, muffled, or scarfed: and her uncle would make means to get a private corner to sit in, where they might hear well; and when he came home, he would instruct her of all that was read, and tell her where they differed from the old authors; and then would give his opinion, and take hers, of their several doctrines. And thus they continued for two years.

In the mean time, her beauty increased with her breeding, but was not made known to any, as yet; till being come to the age of sixteen years, her uncle did resolve to present her to the world: for he knew, youth was admired in itself; but when beauty and virtue was joined to it, it was the greater miracle. So he began to examine her, for he was jealous she might be caught with vain gallants; although he had observed her humor to be serious, and not apt to be caught with every toy; yet he knew youth to be so uncertain, that there was no trusting it to itself.

So he asked her, how she was taken with the riches and gallantry of the city; for she could not choose but see lords and ladies riding in their brave gilt coaches, and themselves dressed in rich apparel, and the young gallants riding on prancing horses upon embroidered foot-clothes, as she passed along the streets.

She answered, they pleased her eyes for a time; and that dressings were like bridal-houses, garnished and hung by some ingenious wit; and their beauties like fine flowers drawn by the pencil of nature; but being not gathered by acquaintance, said she, I know not whether they are virtuously sweet, or no; as I pass by, I please my eye, yet no other ways than as upon senseless objects: they entice me not to stay; and a short view satisfies the appetite of the senses, unless the rational and understanding part should be absent; but to me they seem but moving-statues.

Well, said he, I hear there is a masque to be at court; and I am resolved you shall go, if we can get in, to see it: for though I am old, and not fit to go, since my dancing-days are done; yet I must get into some corner, to see how you behave yourself.

Pray, said she, what is a masque?

He said, it is painted scenes, to represent the poets heavens and hells, their gods and devils, the clouds, sun, moon, and stars: besides, they represent cities, castles, seas, fishes, rocks, mountains, beasts, birds, and what pleaseth the poet, painter, and surveyor. Then there are actors, and speeches spoke, and music; and then lords or ladies come down in a scene, as from the clouds; and after that, they begin to dance, and everyone takes out one or other, according as they fancy. If a man takes out a woman, if she cannot, or will not dance, then she makes a curtsy to the king, or queen, or chief grandee, if there be any one; if not, to the upper end of the room; then turns to the man, and makes another to him: then he leaves, or leads her to them she will take out; and she doth the like to him, and then goeth to her place again. And the men do the same, if they will not dance; and if they do dance, they do just so when the dance is ended; and all the chief of the youths of the city (or all those that have youthful minds, and love sights and fine clothes) come to see it, or to show themselves. Then the room is made as light with candles, as if the sun shined; and their glittering bravery makes as glorious a show as his gilded beams.

Sir, said she, if there be such an assembly of nobles, beauty, and bravery, I shall appear so dull, that I shall be only fit to sit in the corner with you. Besides, I shall be so out of countenance, that I shall not know how to behave myself; for private breeding looks mean and ridiculous, I suppose, in public assemblies of that nature, where none but the glories of the kingdom meet.

Ashamed, said he, for what? You have stolen no body’s goods, nor good names; nor have you committed adultery; for on my conscience you guess not what adultery is: nor have you murdered any; nor have you betrayed any trust, or concealed a treason; and then why should you be ashamed?

Sir, said she, although I have committed none of those horrid sins; yet I may commit errors through my ignorance, and so I may be taken notice of only for my follies.

Come, come, said he, all the errors you may commit (although I hope you will commit none) will be laid upon your youth; but arm yourself with confidence, for go you shall, and I will have you have some fine clothes, and send for dressers to put you in the best fashion.

Sir, said she, I have observed how ladies are dressed when I pass the streets; and, if you please to give me leave, I will dress myself according to my judgment; and if you intend I shall go no more than once, let me not be extraordinary brave, lest liking me at first, and seeing me again they should condemn their former judgment, and I lose what was gained; so I shall be like those that make a good assault, and a bad retreat. But, sir, said she, if you are pleased I shall show myself to the most glorious, let me be ordered so, that I may gain more and more upon their good opinions.

Well, said her uncle, order yourself as you please, for I am unskilled in that matter: besides, thou needest no adornments; for nature hath adorned thee with a splendid beauty, another thing, is (said he), we must remove our lodgings, for these are too mean to be known in; wherefore, my steward shall go take a large house, and furnish it nobly; and I will make you a fine coach, and take more servants, and women to wait upon you; for, since you have a good estate, you shall live and take pleasure. But I will have no men-visitors but what are brought by myself: wherefore, entertain on masculine acquaintance, nor give them the least encouragement.

Sir, said she, my duty shall observe all your commands.

When her uncle was gone, lord (said she), what doth my uncle mean, to set me out to show? Sure he means to traffic for a husband; but heaven forbid those intentions, for I have no mind to marry. My uncle is wise, and kind, and studies for my good; wherefore I submit, and could now chide myself for these questioning thoughts. Now (said she) I am to consider how I shall be dressed; my uncle saith, I am handsome; I will now try whether others think so as well as he; for I fear my uncle is partial on my side: wherefore I will dress me all in black, and have no colors about me; for if I be gay, I may be taken notice of for my clothes, and so be deceived, thinking it was for my person; and I would gladly know the truth, whether I am handsome, or no; for I have no skill in faces: so that I must judge of myself by the approbation of others eyes, and not by my own. But if I be (said she) thought handsome, what then? Why then (answered she herself) I shall be cried up to be a beauty. And what then? Then I shall have all eyes stare upon me. And what am I the better, unless their eyes could infuse into my brain wit and understanding? Their eyes cannot enrich me with knowledge, nor give me the light of truth; for I cannot see with their eyes, nor hear with their ears, no more than the meat which they do eat, can nourish me; or rest when they do sleep. Besides, I neither desire to make, nor catch lovers; for I have an enmity against mankind, and hold them as my enemies; which if it be a sin, heaven forgive, that I should for one man’s neglect and perjury, condemn all that sex.

But I find I have a little emulation, which breeds a desire to appear more beautiful than the duke’s wife, who is reported to be very handsome: for I would not have the world say, he had an advantage by the change: thus I do not envy her, nor covet what she enjoys; for I wish her all happiness: yet I would not have her happiness raised by my misfortunes, for charity begins at home; and those that are unjust or cruel to themselves, will never be merciful and just to others. But, o my contemplations! Whither do you run? I fear, not in an even path: for, though emulation is not envy, yet the bias leans to that side.

But, said she, to this masque I must go; my uncle hath pressed me to the wars of vanity, where cupid is general, and leads up the train: but I doubt I shall hang down my head through shamefacedness, like a young soldier when he hears the bullets fly about his ears: but, o confidence, thou goddess of good behavior, assist me! Well, said she, I will practice against the day, and be in a ready posture. So, after two or three days, the masque was; and she being ready to go, her uncle comes to her, and sees her dressed all in black.

He said, why have you put yourself all in black?

Sir, said she, I mourn like a young widow, for I have lost my husband.

By my troth, said he, and it becomes thee: for, you appear like the sun when he breaks through a dark cloud. I would have you go veiled, says he; for I would have you appear to sight only when you come into the masquing-room; and after the masque is done, all the company will rise, as it were, together, and join into a crowd; then throw your hood over your face, and pass through them as soon as you can, and as obscure; for I will not have you known, until we are in a more courtly equipage. So away they went, only he and she, without any attendants; and when they came to enter through the door of the masquing-room, there was such a crowd, and such a noise, the officers beating the people back, the women squeaking, and the men cursing; the officers threatening, and the enterers praying, that so great a confusion made her afraid.

Lord, uncle, said she, what a horrid noise is here? Pray let us go back, and let us not put ourselves unto this unnecessary trouble.

O child, said he, camps and courts are never silent; besides, where great persons are, there should be a thundering-noise, to strike their inferiors with a kind of terror and amazement: for poets say, fear and wonder makes gods.

Certainly, said she, there must be a great felicity in the sight of this masque, or else they would never take so much pains, and endure so great affronts, to obtain it. But pray uncle, said she, stay while they are all passed in.

Why then, said he, we must