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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

Name: The Description of a New World, Called the Blazing-World
Author: Newcastle, Margaret Cavendish, Duchess of

Newcastle, Margaret Cavendish, Duchess of

Science fiction; Utopias -- Fiction; Voyages, Imaginary -- Early works to 1800

Fortune hearing thus Honesty's plain Speech, thought it very rude, and
would not hearken to Truth's Judgment, but went away in a Passion: At
which, both the Empress and Duchess were extreamly troubled, that their
endeavours should have no better effect: but Honesty chid the Duchess,
and said, she was to be punished for desiring so much Fortune's favours;
for it appears, said she, that you mistrust the gods blessings: At which
the Duchess wept, answering Honesty, That she did neither mistrust the
gods blessings, nor relye upon Fortune's favours; but desired onely that
her Lord might have no potent Enemies. The Empress being much troubled
to see her weep, told Honesty in anger, she wanted the discretion of
Prudence; for though you are commended, said she, yet you are apt to
commit many indiscreet actions, unless Prudence be your guide. At which
reproof Prudence smiled, and Honesty was somewhat out of countenance;
but they soon became very good friends: and after the Duchess's Soul had
stayed some time with the Empress in the Blazing-World, she begg'd leave
of her to return to her Lord and Husband; which the Empress granted her,
upon condition she should come and visit her as often as conveniently
she could, promising that she would do the same to the Duchess.

Thus the Duchess's soul, after she had taken her leave of the Empress,
as also of the Spirits, who with great civility, promised her, that they
would endeavour in time to make a Peace and Agreement between Fortune
and the Duke, returned with Prudence and Honesty, into her own World:
But when she was just upon her departure, the Empress sent to Her, and
desired that she might yet have some little conference with her before
she went; which the Duchess most willingly granted her Majesty; and when
she came to wait on her, the Empress told the Duchess, That she being
her dear Platonick Friend, of whose just and Impartial Judgment, she had
alwayes a very great esteem; could not forbear, before she went from
her, to ask her Advice concerning the Government of the Blazing-World:
For, said she, although this World was very well and wisely ordered and
governed at first, when I came to be Empress thereof; yet the nature of
Women being much delighted with Change and Variety, after I had received
an absolute Power from the Emperor, did somewhat alter the Form of
Government from what I found it; but now perceiving that the World is
not so quiet as it was at first, I am much troubled at it; especially
there are such continual Contentions and Divisions between the Worm-
Bear- and Fly-men, the Ape-men, the Satyrs, the Spider-men, and all
others of such sorts, that I fear they'l break out into an open
Rebellion, and cause a great disorder; and the ruin of the Government;
and therefore I desire your advice and assistance, how I may order it to
the best advantage, that this World may be rendred peaceable, quiet and
happy, as it was before. Whereupon the Duchess answered, That since she

Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.

Opening the text

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

Fortune hearing thus Honesty's plain Speech, thought it very rude, and
would not hearken to Truth's Judgment, but went away in a Passion: At
which, both the Empress and Duchess were extreamly troubled, that their
endeavours should have no better effect: but Honesty chid the Duchess,
and said, she was to be punished for desiring so much Fortune's favours;
for it appears, said she, that you mistrust the gods blessings: At which
the Duchess wept, answering Honesty, That she did neither mistrust the
gods blessings, nor relye upon Fortune's favours; but desired onely that
her Lord might have no potent Enemies. The Empress being much troubled
to see her weep, told Honesty in anger, she wanted the discretion of
Prudence; for though you are commended, said she, yet you are apt to
commit many indiscreet actions, unless Prudence be your guide. At which
reproof Prudence smiled, and Honesty was somewhat out of countenance;
but they soon became very good friends: and after the Duchess's Soul had
stayed some time with the Empress in the Blazing-World, she begg'd leave
of her to return to her Lord and Husband; which the Empress granted her,
upon condition she should come and visit her as often as conveniently
she could, promising that she would do the same to the Duchess.

Thus the Duchess's soul, after she had taken her leave of the Empress,
as also of the Spirits, who with great civility, promised her, that they
would endeavour in time to make a Peace and Agreement between Fortune
and the Duke, returned with Prudence and Honesty, into her own World:
But when she was just upon her departure, the Empress sent to Her, and
desired that she might yet have some little conference with her before
she went; which the Duchess most willingly granted her Majesty; and when
she came to wait on her, the Empress told the Duchess, That she being
her dear Platonick Friend, of whose just and Impartial Judgment, she had
alwayes a very great esteem; could not forbear, before she went from
her, to ask her Advice concerning the Government of the Blazing-World:
For, said she, although this World was very well and wisely ordered and
governed at first, when I came to be Empress thereof; yet the nature of
Women being much delighted with Change and Variety, after I had received
an absolute Power from the Emperor, did somewhat alter the Form of
Government from what I found it; but now perceiving that the World is
not so quiet as it was at first, I am much troubled at it; especially
there are such continual Contentions and Divisions between the Worm-
Bear- and Fly-men, the Ape-men, the Satyrs, the Spider-men, and all
others of such sorts, that I fear they'l break out into an open
Rebellion, and cause a great disorder; and the ruin of the Government;
and therefore I desire your advice and assistance, how I may order it to
the best advantage, that this World may be rendred peaceable, quiet and
happy, as it was before. Whereupon the Duchess answered, That since she

Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.

The Description of a New World, Called the Blazing-World

The Description of a New World, Called the Blazing-World

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