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
Colours) so artificially, as it seemed but of one piece; the Pillars
were set with Diamonds so close, and in such a manner, that they
appear'd most Glorious to the sight; between every Pillar was a Bow or
Arch of a certain sort of Diamonds, the like whereof our World does not
afford; which being placed in every one of the Arches in several rows,
seemed just like so many Rainbows of several different colours. The roof
of the Arches was of blew Diamonds, and in the midst thereof was a
Carbuncle, which represented the Sun; and the Rising and Setting-Sun at
the East and West-side of the Room were made of Rubies. Out of this Room
there was a passage into the Emperor's Bed-Chamber, the Walls whereof
were of Jet, and the Floor of black Marble; the Roof was of Mother of
Pearl, where the Moon and Blazing-Stars were represented by white
Diamonds, and his Bed was made of Diamonds and Carbuncles.
No sooner was the Lady brought before the Emperor, but he conceived her
to be some Goddess, and offered to worship her; which she refused,
telling him, (for by that time she had pretty well learned their
Language) that although she came out of another world, yet was she but a
mortal. At which the Emperor rejoycing, made her his Wife, and gave her
an absolute power to rule and govern all that World as she pleased. But
her subjects, who could hardly be perswaded to believe her mortal,
tender'd her all the Veneration and Worship due to a Deity.
Her Accoustrement after she was made Empress, was as followeth: On her
head she wore a Cap of Pearl, and a Half-moon of Diamonds just before
it; on the top of her Crown came spreading over a broad Carbuncle, cut
in the form of the Sun; her Coat was of Pearl, mixt with blew Diamonds,
and frindged with red ones; her Buskins and Sandals were of green
Diamonds; In her left hand she held a Buckler, to signifie the Defence
of her Dominions; which Buckler was made of that sort of Diamond as has
several different Colours; and being cut and made in the form of an
Arch, shewed like a Rain-bow; In her right hand she carried a Spear made
of white Diamond, cut like the tail of a Blazing Star, which signified
that she was ready to assault those that proved her Enemies.
None was allowed to use or wear Gold but those of the Imperial Race,
which were the onely Nobles of the State; nor durst any one wear Jewels
but the Emperor, the Empress and their Eldest Son; notwithstanding that
they had an infinite quantity both of Gold and precious Stones in that
World; for they had larger extents of Gold, then our Arabian Sands;
their precious Stones were Rocks, and their Diamonds of several Colours;
they used no Coyn, but all their Traffick was by exchange of several
Commodities.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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