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
I came not here, said she, to hear Fortune flattered, but to hear the
Cause decided between Fortune and the Duke; neither came I hither to
speak Rhetorically and Eloquently, but to propound the case plainly and
truly; and I'le have you know, that the Duke, whose Cause we argue, was
and is my Foster-son; for I Honesty bred him from his Childhood, and
made a perpetual friendship betwixt him and Gratitude, Charity and
Generosity; and put him to School to Prudence, who taught him Wisdom,
and informed him in the Rules of Temperance, Patience, Justice, and the
like; then I put him into the University of Honour, where he learned all
Honourable Qualities, Arts, and Sciences; afterward I sent him to travel
through the World of Actions, and made Observation his Governor; and in
those his travels, he contracted a friendship with Experience; all
which, made him fit for Heavens Blessings, and Fortunes Favours: But she
hating all those that have merit and desert, became his inveterate
Enemy, doing him all the mischief she could, until the God of Justice
opposed Fortune's Malice, and pull'd him out of those ruines she had
cast upon him: For this God's Favourites were the Dukes Champions;
wherefore to be an Enemy to him, were to be an Enemy to the God of
Justice: In short, the true cause of Fortunes Malice to this Duke is,
that he would never flatter her; for I Honesty, did command him not to
do it, or else he would be forced to follow all her inconstant ways, and
obey all her unjust commands, which would cause a great reproach to him:
but, on the other side, Prudence advised him not to despise Fortune's
favours, for that would be an obstrustion and hinderance to his worth
and merit; and He to obey both our advice and counsels, did neither
flatter nor despise Her; but was always humble and respectful to her so
far as Honour, Honesty and Conscience would permit: all which I refer to
Truth's Judgment, and expect her final Sentence.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account