The Description of a New World, Called the Blazing-WorldNewcastle, Margaret Cavendish, Duchess of
Science
The Description of a New World, Called the Blazing-World
Newcastle, Margaret Cavendish, Duchess of
Science fiction; Utopias -- Fiction; Voyages, Imaginary -- Early works to 1800
that, replied the Empress; but I cannot discourse with Fortune, without
the help of an Immaterial Spirit, and that cannot be done in this World;
for I have no Fly nor Bird-men here, to send into the Region of the Air,
where, for the most part, their Habitations are. The Duchess said, she
would entreat her Lord to send an Attorney or Lawyer to plead his Cause.
Fortune will bribe them, replied the Empress, and so the Duke may chance
to be cast: Wherefore the best way will be, for the Duke to chuse a
Friend on his side, and let Fortune chuse another, and try whether by
this means it be possible to compose the Difference. The Duchess said,
They will never come to an agreement, unless there be a Judg or Umpire
to decide the Case. A Judg, replied the Empress, is easie to be had; but
to get an Impartial Judg, is a thing so difficult, that I doubt we shall
hardly find one; for there is none to be had, neither in Nature, nor in
Hell, but onely from Heaven; and how to get such a Divine and Celestial
Judg, I cannot tell: Nevertheless, if you will go along with me into the
Blazing-World, I'le try what may be done. 'Tis my duty, said the
Duchess, to wait on your Majesty, and I shall most willingly do it, for
I have no other interest to consider. Then the Duchess spake to the Duke
concerning the difference between him and Fortune, and how it was her
desire that they might be friends. The Duke answered, That for his part
he had always with great industry sought her friendship, but as yet he
could never obtain it, for she had always been his Enemy. However, said
he, I'le try and send my two Friends, Prudence and Honesty, to plead my
Cause. Then these two Friends went with the Duchess and the Empress into
the Blazing-World; (for it is to be observed, that they are somewhat
like Spirits, because they are Immaterial, although their actions are
corporeal:) and after their arrival there, when the Empress had
refreshed her self, and rejoiced with the Emperor, she sent her Fly-men
for some of the Spirits, and desired their assistance, to compose the
difference between Fortune, and the Duke of Newcastle. But they told her
Majesty, That Fortune was so inconstant, that although she would perhaps
promise to hear their Cause pleaded, yet it was a thousand to one,
whether she would ever have the patience to do it: Nevertheless, upon
Her Majestie's request, they tried their utmost, and at last prevailed
with Fortune so far, that she chose Folly and Rashness, for her Friends,
but they could not agree in chusing a Judg; until at last, with much
ado, they concluded, that Truth should hear, and decide the cause. Thus
all being prepared, and the time appointed, both the Empress and
Duchess's Soul went to hear them plead; and when all the Immaterial
Company was met, Fortune standing upon a Golden-Globe, made this
following Speech:
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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