The Blazing World and Other Writings Read Online

Have we not victory? and yet shall we return with loss? shall we despise the gifts of the gods, in making no use of what they give us? and shall the trumpet of loud fame report the Queen was taken prisoner, and resigned upon a low agreement? No; let fame divulge unto the world, her release came with the ruin of this kingdom.

After the general had spoken, one of the council, who was like Nestor for years and experience,

Our general, said he, hath spoke a speech so full of courage and honour, as shows him to be of so true an heroic spirit, that he hath left no room for policy to play a part. But states cannot subsist with valiant hands alone; unless they hold the politic head, which is the guide to great designs; it burns more cities than granadoes do, it undermines strong towns, pulls down great works, ruins forts, sets battles, takes prisoners, makes slaves, and conquers kings and kingdoms; and that we call policy in a public state, is called discretion in a private family; and it is not, as the vulgar think it, a cheat, or there deceit, but a wise prudence, to prevent the worst of ills, or to keep peace, or get tranquility. ’Tis true, valour is a daring spirit, but policy is the trusty friend, and covers all those faults it cannot mend with skill, it guides the bark in which man’s life swims, and keeps them from the shipwreck of the world, pulls down the ambitious sails, when blown too full with pride, lest it should overturn the ship of safety, so drowned in seas of miseries: but policy will rather choose the oars of patience, and take the tides of time, than venture where the doubts are more than hopes, or hazards more than gains: then let us try to make a prudent peace, not trusting to Fortune’s favour, unless she were more constant.

For in the Wars such unknown Chance may fall,

Instead of Victory, be ruined all.

I speak not this to cross my general, for I shall be as ready to obey all his commands, be it never so dangerous, as I have freely delivered my opinion.

After he had spoke, the general rose up, and said, these counsels are too solid to be contradicted by rash youth. Whereupon they all agreed to treat with the King, giving his ambassadors audience. The King’s ambassadors coming into their assembly, thus spake.

You great victorious Amitenians,

My master should not need to seek for peace before it sought for him, had not the god of love proved his enemy, persuading Mars to be his foe; for those that are crossed in love, have seldom victory; for Mars doth take the part of Cupid, Venus’s son. Thus our great King and master is by love undone: but since ’tis the gods that work his fate, he humbly doth submit; wherefore he sends these proffers unto you.

First, he will build your broken forts again, and raise those walls his soldiers have pulled down.

Secondly, he will repay your charges and expenses in this war, although his own is great, and his loss is more.

Thirdly, he will restore his prisoners, if you will do the like to those you have taken; but for the Queen, she is no prisoner;

For our Master is her Captive, and her Thrall,

Both to command him, and his Kingdom all.

After the Amitenians had consulted, they told the King’s ambassadors, that words were not acts, wherefore they could conclude of nothing until the Queen was in her army to make her atonement for herself; and if she were no prisoner, they desired to wait on her out of the city; if not, they must use force.

Whereupon the ambassadors went back to their King to declare their answer, but to return to the captive Prince, who was more fettered in his mind than in his body, for his old father treated him civilly, and used him kindly: but perceiving him to be very melancholy, thought it might proceed from the overthrow he received; which he strove to methate, telling him, nothing was more subject to chance than war, and that the valiantest and wisest men might fall by Fortune’s hand; for, said he, she on wheels, not on firm ground did stand.

She seeks not Worth and Merit to advance,

Her Sceptre which she governed all, was Chance.

With that the Prince, he sighing said, O Fortune most unkind,

I would she were as powerless as blind.

As he was speaking, in come the young general, which when he saw, love’s passion shook his manly strength, and made his visage pale; but she being of an affable and sweet disposition, wish[ed] all content of mind to every person, although she had little herself.

Noble Sir, said she, it was not for want of respect I have not visited you, but my engagements have so busily employed me, that till that cessation of arms, I have not had so much time as to examine your welfare; but I know, my father hath not omitted any service he could help you in; neither do I believe, you being commander, can be so ignorant but to know camps can afford nothing but a rude entertainment, having therein no necessary accommodations, and since my wishes cannot make it better, you will be pleased to accept of it, as it is.

Worthy Sir, answered the Prince, I am only a prisoner to your favours, but am free by your noble entertainments.

So after some discourse, telling him of the agreement which was like to be, left him, or rather carried him with her; for his soul went after her, although his person stayed behind: but to follow the ambassadors, who were got to the King, and told him the demands of the Amitenian army [were] to have their Queen before they would treat any farther. The King being very much troubled thereat, for to keep her he durst not, knowing his own weakness, and their strength; and to let her go, he could not; for his passion of love would not give him leave; neither would he call a council, knowing they would be for the departure of the Queen for their own securities; then did he wish for his friend and servant Prince; but at last resolved, went to the Queen his mistress, and taking the crown from his head, laid it at her feet.

Madam, said he, here I deliver you my crown, and with it my kingdom; and yield myself your prisoner, dispose of it, and me as you please, for it never shall be said I make conditions with her I do adore; for since my soul is yours, there is nothing I can own that is not so; and since you must, and will go from this place, let me go with you to set your triumphs out, and lead me as your slave.

Sir, answered she, I have not been so ill treated; nor am I so ungrateful to go away, and leave no thanks behind me: wherefore I will stay until there is such a peace made, as you may receive as much profit, and as little losses thereby as I. Wherefore in order thereunto, I desire that the general of my forces, and some of my council may come hither, and so confer both with myself and you.

The King gave order that the gates of the city might be set open, but the Queen sent a messenger to the army, that none of the forces should enter the city, but keep themselves where they were without: only the general and the council, and some of the chiefest commanders, to come unto her. But when they were ready to wait upon the Queen, the old man fell very sick, and sent to his son the young general, to come unto him to take his leave of him before he died, who went with a sorrowful heart, and sad countenance; and when he came close to his bed, the old man spake; Son, said he, my lease of life is expired, and death, the landlord of my body, knocks at my old and ruinated cottage, sending out my soul to seek another habitation; which soul intends to travel through the airy skies unto the mansion of the gods, where it shall pray for your success and happy days on earth[.] O Father, said Travellia, must you go, and leave me here behind.

Why will the gods so cruelly oppress,

An innocent youth to leave it in distress[.]

You were my good angel to guard me from those evils that Fortune sets about me; you were my guide, which did direct my simple youth, to just and honest ways; what will become of me when you are gone? Or who will restore me from those that seek my ruin? Said the old man, the gods, the gods, my son, they will reward your virtue; farewell, farewell, then turned his head and died.

After he had lamented and mourned over his lifeless corpse, he sent to the Queen, to give him leave to inter his father’s ashes; the King hearing thereof sent to the general, inviting him to bring his father’s body into the city, and there to be interred in his chief temple, which honour he accepted, whereupon all the army brought the hearse unto the gates, and then returned unto their trenches; but the chief commanders did bear it to the grave[.] The young general when he came into the temple, who was clad all in mourning, only his face was seen, which appeared like the sun when it breaks through a dark and spongy cloud: their beams25 did shine on those watery drops that fell upon her cheeks, as banks where roses and lilies grew, there standing on a mounted pillar, spake her father’s funeral speech.26

I come not, said she, here to flatter or belie the dead; but to speak the truth, as far as ray knowledge is informed thereby; he was aged in years, not old, for those are only old whose memories and understanding are grown defective by the length of time: he was wise by experience, not led with self-opinion, he was learned in the art of navigation, and not ignorant of land-service, or command, although Jew that dwell on sea, and profess that art, know little more of land than the ports where they take harbour to shelter from furious storms, or to take fresh victuals in; or to deboist27 with wine and women[.] But he was most temperate not only in moderating his passion, but appetites with reason, honour and religion; in his behaviour he was affable and free, not formal, nor constrained by vain and self conceit, his disposition gentle, sweet, and kind; he in his nature compassionated all that were in distress; he was industrious to all good effects, and had a nimble and ingenious wit, and such a superfluity of courage, as did not only banish fear in himself, but begot spirit in others; he was bred in the schools of honour, where he had learnt virtuous principles and heroic actions; he had all the ingredients that goeth to the making of an honest and gallant man; and he was not only morally honest, but most pious and devout; he offered not sacrifice to the gods for worldly prosperity, but out of pure love, and adoration to the gods; he was a pattern for all others to take example from; his soul was as the breath of gods; and his animal28 the best of nature’s extraction, but Nature makes nothing to last in one form long, for what she creates, she dissolves again.29

With that her tears fell so fast from her eyes, as stopped her mouth for a time; but at last she sighing said,

Although my tears are useless to him, since it is not in their power to alter the decrees of fate, nor can persuade the gods, to give perpetual life here in this world, yet natural affections, they are forced through my eyes[.]

Then bowing down her head over the corpse, which underneath was placed, said:

These as a satisfaction may assuage my grief to think my new-born tears, the issues of my love, shall be buried and lie entombed with his cold ashes, which is the only way to mingle souls, when death has parted bodies; but if that fate had the power to twist my thread of life with his, then death [had] struck me too, and so eased my grief; but since not so, his memory shall lie entombed in my heart until I die.

After he had spoke this funeral speech, he descended from the pillar, and helping to lay the corpse upon the funeral pile, and with a flaming torch, did set the fuel on fire, where after gathering up the ashes, put them in the urn, then placed it in a tomb; after he had thus executed those ceremonies belonging to the dead, he changed his mourning robes, and clothed himself fit for the court or camp again, then he and the council, and the chief commanders went unto the palace of the King, where after some discourse, [he] was brought to the Queen, who joyed more to see her Travellia than the victories they won, and after she had condoled with him for the loss of his father, she congratulated him for the good success he had in the wars, and withal told him she must set at liberty his prisoner the Prince, for she had given him back unto the King, whereupon he presently gave orders for the Prince to repair to the court, and after she heard the relations of all their several actions, and accidents; and had pleased herself with the variety of other discourses, she told them she would sit in a council, to consider what was to be done, as concerning the peace, and so dismissed them for that time, only she stayed Travellia, loving his company so well, she could not so easily part. But the King perceiving her affections, as being never pleased but when Travellia was with her, he grew so jealous, that had not honour forbid him, having past his word unto her they should all there be safe, otherwise he should not have let him live to have been his rival.

But in the meantime, the messenger had caused the Prince to repair to the court, whereat he was much troubled how to behave himself; for, said he in his thoughts, if I should make myself known unto my mistress, she will straight convey away herself either by death, or stealth; and if I go disguised, although I may make the reason known unto the King, yet the court will talk, and think it is for some ill design against the state, so bring an aspersion against my loyalty.

Thus musing a long time with himself, at last he thought it best for to take counsel of the King; and being come to him, the King with great joy embraced him, saying, O my friend, thy company is a kingdom to me. He humbly kiss[ed] his hand, and said, he thought Fortune was so much his enemy, as that she had shut him out of his royal favour: but Sir, said he, it was none of my fault I did not win; for the gods, as Jupiter, Mars, and the rest, are such lovers of the fair effeminate mortals, that they will never be against them; for wheresoever they are, victory is there also.

The King thinking he meant by it the Queen, told him how unkind[ly] she used him, and how he perceived she loved the young general even to a dotage, and withal asked his counsels therein what he should do; but he smiling, yet sighing, said,

O Sir, said he, there is no cause to fear, for those you do suspect is a woman, yet I believe the Queen knows it not. Then he told him all the story of his love, and all the several accidents thereupon, and asked his advice what he should do.

The King, who was overjoyed at his relations, discovering she was a woman, as his joy gave so many several advices, that the number confused the counsel, and confounded the choice.

But whilst they were thus talking, came a messenger to the Prince, which brought him letters from his own country by merchants that came into that country, that his wife was dead; for although they knew not where he was, yet they sent letters into several countries, in hope some might light into his hands: which when he heard, his doubts were turned into hopes. With that, the King and he embraced with joy, making no question now but Cupid was turned their friend, and that he would shoot two golden arrows into their mistresses’ hearts from the forts of their affections.

The time being come when the King and Queen, and either’s councillors should meet about the peace, they being all set ready to treat, the King entreated the Queen she would give him leave that the Prince might be one of his council, which, said he, without your own consent he shall not come, since he hath been your prisoner.

She told the King, he was not bound to her, since she had given him a release, and your councillors are to be chosen by yourself, and not by me.

After her answer, he sent for him; which when he came, being not disguised, but as he was himself; and Travellia looking upon his face as he was coming in amongst the society, seeing the man she most did fear, she fell into a swound; at which accident the Queen being extremely afflicted, thinking it was done by some design wrought from the jealousy of the King, broke up the juncto30 for that time, taking all the care she could for his recovery. But Travellia being recovered out of her swound, yet was she sick in mind, though not in body, and kept her bed, as being very ill.

Whereupon the Queen’s suspicion was more increased, and [she] feared some poison had been given him; and with that conceit could not endure to see the King.

The King being much troubled that the Queen was more strict to him than she was used to be, and perceiving that it was Travellia that was the cause, complained unto the Prince, and angrily merrily said, dispose of your mistress some way, for I am jealous, said he, although she is a woman.

Sir, said the Prince, I have as much reason to be jealous of the Queen as you have of my mistress, setting her masculine habit aside.

At last they did agree to discover her to the Queen. Whereupon the Prince went to the Queen, and desired by messenger to grant him half an hour’s conference.

She desired to be excused.

He sent her word, it was something concerning his own affairs: whereat she gave admittance. When the Prince came to her he said,

Madam, I should not press thus rudely on your thoughts, but that I think I am part of the cause that makes them melancholy.

Sir, said she, you take upon you to know much, for it is hard to know the mind or thoughts of ourselves, much less another’s.

Madam, said he, I will be so presumptuous to guess at them, if you will give me leave.

Take it, said she.

Then Madam, said he, I must tell you, you are in love; and those you love, although there is a society of all excellencies, yet cannot return such love you desire; for you have placed your affection upon a woman, who hath concealed her sex, in taking the habit of a man, and might more confirm your mistake by the actions of a soldier. I know not, said the Prince, how kind you have found her, but I have found her cruel[;] then telling the story from the first time he saw her until that present.

When the Queen had heard his relation, her colour came and went, moved by her mixed passions, anger and love; angry that she was deceived, yet still did love, as wishing she had been a man.

Then the Prince began to move unto her the suit of the King; but she was so impatient and troubled in her mind, being crossed in her love, that she would hear nothing concerning love more at that time; which he perceiving, took his leave for the present: but as soon as he was gone,

Tears from her Eyes flowed out, as if they meant

To make her there a Watery Monument;

And her oppressed Heart such sighs sent forth,

Like gusts of wind that blow from South or North.

After this furious Storm, a Calm did rise,

Her Spirits like a still, smooth Water lies.

Then laying down her gentle head to rest,

Thus to the God of Love her prayers addressed:

Thou powerful God of Love, that shoots from high,

One leaden Arrow in my breast let fly,

To quench that scorching heat thou mad’st to burn,

Unless a Woman to a Man can turn.

With that the God of Love did pity take,

Quenched out the first, and did a new Fire make;

Yet was it weak, as being made but new,

But being kindled, it much better grew.

At last, the Flame got hold upon the King,

Which did much Joy unto each Kingdom bring.

After a sweet and refreshing sleep, she rose, and went to Travellia’s chamber, and told her how she was discovered; then chiding her gently for not making herself known unto her; for, said she, you have caused me many unquiet rests.

But Travellia begged her pardon, telling her, it was the cause of her misfortunes that concealed her, and not out of any evil design she had to deceive her; then desired her assistance and help to secure her[self].

Whilst they were thus talking, the King and the Prince came to see the sick person, to whom the Queen with a smiling countenance said, she was a-courting her hard-hearted lover.

The King answered, that he hoped she would take pity on him, by what she had felt herself.

The Queen told him that she was likelier to love him now, than if she had never been a lover before; for, said she, there is something pleasing in lovers’ thoughts, be their fortunes never so adverse; and I believe, said she, the Prince will say as much.

Madam, said he, it is a pleasing pain, as being mixed with hopes and fears; but if our hopes do cease, all pleasure is gone, and nothing doth remain but pains of Hell.

Then, said the Queen, your mistress were in a sad condition, if she loved you, as you seem to love her, you being a married man.

No, said the Prince, I am now a widower; but I doubt, said he, that doth31 advantage me in my mistress’s affection.

But when Travellia heard he was a widower, her heart did beat like to a feverish pulse, being moved with several passions, fearing it was not so, hoping it was so, joying if it were so, grieving that she ought not to wish it so.

But the Queen asked the Prince, how that he came to know of it. Whereupon he told her.

Said she, I have promised your mistress to protect her against your outrageous assaults; but since your suit is just, and your treaty civil, I will yield her to you, upon that condition you carry her not out of my kingdom; for since I cannot marry her, and so make her my husband, I will keep her if I can, and so make her my friend.

With that, Travellia rises up in her bed, and bowed herself with a pleased countenance, giving the Queen thanks.

Said the Prince, you have given me as much as the gods could give, which is felicity.

Madam, said the King, you have given me nothing.

The Queen, with blushes, answered, that if her council would agree, she would give him herself.

The King for joy kneeled down, and kissed her hand; now I am like to the gods, they can but have their wish.

Thus passing that day in pleasing discourses, the next day they caused their councils to meet, where they concluded the marriage of the King and Queen; and that the Queen should live with their King in the Kingdom of Amours, and that her first son should be heir to the crown, and her second should be heir to the Kingdom of Amity; but in case there were no sons, or but one, then daughters should inherit.

In the meantime, the Prince, and his Princess that was to be, should be Viceroy, or rather she should rule; who was so beloved of the people, as if she had not only been a native born, but as if she had been born from the royal stock. But they thought it fit she should make herself known unto the army by word of mouth, that she was a woman, otherwise they might think she was made away by a violent death; and that the report of being a woman, was only a trick to deceive them; and from thence arise such a mutiny, as might bring a ruin to both kingdoms.

When all was agreed, they prepared for the marriages.

In the meantime, Travellia goeth to the army, attended by the Prince, where the King and Queen came soon after, that the soldiers might see they were there, as witnesses of what she told them. And being all in a circle round about her, she being upon a place raised for that purpose, thus spake.

Noble friends, and valiant soldiers,

I am come here at this present to declare I am a woman, although I am habited like a man, and perchance you may think it immodesty; but they that will judge charitably, will enquire the reason before they give their censure; for upright judges never give sentence before the party proves guilty: wherefore I believe you will not condemn me, because necessity did enforce me to conceal my sex, to protect my honour; for as the love of soul and body is inseparable, so should the love of chastity, and the effeminate sex; and who can love, and not share in danger? And since no danger ought to be avoided, nor life considered, in respect of their honours; and to guard that safe from enemies, no habit is to be denied; for it is not the outward garments that can corrupt the honest mind, for modesty may clothe the soul of a naked body, and a sword becomes a woman when it is used against the enemies of her honour; for though her strength be weak, yet she ought to show her will; and to the in the defence of honour, is to live with noble fame; therefore neither camp, nor court, nor city, nor country, nor danger, nor habit, nor any worldly felicity, must separate the love of chastity, and our sex; for as love is the sweetest, so it is the strongest of all passions; and true love proceeds from virtue, not from vice; wherefore it is to be followed by life, to be maintained till death; and if I have served my Queen honestly, condemn not my modesty.

Then bowing her head down low, first to the King and Queen, then to the army.

Whereupon the army gave a shout, and cried out, Heaven bless you, of what sex soever you be.

After she had spoke this speech, she went into her tent, and dressed herself in her effeminate robes, and came out again, standing in the same place, thus spake.

Noble Friends,

Thus with my masculine clothes I have laid by my masculine spirit; yet not so by, but I shall take it up again, if it be to serve the Queen and kingdom, to whom I owe my life for many obligations.

First, to my Queen, who bought me as a slave, yet used me as a friend; and loved me with that affection, as if nature had linked us in one line, [for] which Heaven reward her with glory and renown. Besides, her love did bestow upon me great honour, made me protector of her kingdom in her absence; and you her subjects out of loyalty obeyed all my commands, although I am young and inexperienced. And ’tis not only what your loyalty enforces, but I have found your affections of love to be such, as showed they came freely from your souls, expressing itself in grieving for my sickness, taking care for my health, joying in my company, mourning for my absence, glorying in my fame; and so much as you would lessen your own, to give it me: what shall I do to show my gratitude? Alas my life is too poor a sacrifice; had I the mansion of the gods, I would resign it for your felicity; but these are only words, not acts, to show you my thanks: yet here I do offer all that the gods or nature gave me, life, health, or beauty, peace, pleasure, or plenty; and these shall stand upon the altar of a thankful heart, ready to sacrifice to your service.

Whereupon all the army cried out, an angel, an angel, the gods had sent unto them.

Then was there a declaration read to the army of the agreement of peace: and when it was read that the Prince should be Viceroy in the Kingdom of Amity, all the soldiers, as if they had been one voice, cried out, Travellia shall be Viceregency; which was granted to pacify them. Whereupon there were great acclamations of joy.

But the Prince told his mistress, she should also govern him.

She answered, that he should govern her, and she would govern the kingdom.

Then went the King and Queen, the Prince and Travellia, the nobles and the chief commanders, to celebrate their nuptials; where on the wedding day, the Queen was adorned with a crown of diamonds, and hung about with rich jewels; yet her beauty did dim their lustre; but Travellia was only dressed in a white silk garment, which hung loosely about her: yet then32

Her Face did seem like to a Glory bright,

Where Gods and Goddesses did take delight;

And in her Eyes, new Worlds, you there might see

Love, flying Cupids there as Angels be;

And on her Lips Venus enthroned is,

Inviting duller Lovers there to kiss;

Winged Mercury upon her Tongue did sit,

Strewing out Flowers of Rhetoric and of Wit;

Pallas did circle in each Temple round,

Which with her Wisdom, as a Laurel crowned;

And in her Cheeks sweet Flowers for Love’s Poesies,

There Fates spun Threads of Lilies and of Roses;

And every loving Smile, as if each were

A Palace for the Graces to dwell there;

And chaste Diana on her Snow white Breast

There leaned her Head, with pure Thoughts to rest;

When viewed her Neck, great Jove turned all to wonder,

In Love’s soft Showers melting without Thunder;

The lesser Gods on her white Hands did lie,

Thinking each Vein to be their Azure Sky;

Her charming circling Arms made Mars to cease

All his fierce Battles, for a Love’s soft Peace;

And on our World’s Globe sate triumphing high,

Heaved there by Atlas up unto the Sky;

And sweet-breathed Zephyrus did blow her Name

Into the glorious Trumpet of good Fame.

After they were married, to set out their triumphs, they had masques, plays, balls, pageants, shows, processions, and the like; and when they had kept the festivals some days in the city, the Prince and Princess desired they might go and revel with the army for some days, that was without the city. The Queen being well pleased therewith, thither they went, where they had tiltings, running at the ring, fencing, wrestling, vaulting, jumping, running races of horse and foot, baiting of beasts, and many the like warlike pastimes; and such hospitality, that every common soldier was feasted; and after they were all satisfied with sports and good cheer, the Prince and Princess returned to the court again; and after they had remained there some time, the King and Queen sent them with the army into the Kingdom of Amity; and the soldiers returned, not only with all the spoils they got in the war, but the King did present all the chief commanders with presents; and the two kingdoms lived in peace and tranquility during the life of the King and Queen, and for all I can hear, do so to this day.

THE

DESCRIPTION

OF A NEW

WORLD,

CALLED

The Blazing World.

WRITTEN

By the Thrice Noble, Illustrious, and Excellent

PRINCESS,

THE

Duchess of Newcastle.

TO THE DUCHESS OF NEWCASTLE,
ON HER
NEW BLAZING WORLD.

Our Elder World, with all their Skill and Arts

Could but divide the World into three Parts:

Columbus then for Navigation fam’d,

Found a new World, America ’tis nam’d:

Now this new World was found, it was not made,

Only discovered, lying in Time’s shade.

Then what are You, having no Chaos found

To make a World, or any such least ground?

But your creating Fancy, thought it fit

To make your World of Nothing, but pure Wit.

Your Blazing-world, beyond the Stars mounts higher,

Enlightens all with a Celestial Fire.

William Newcastle

TO THE READER

If you wonder, that I join a work of fancy to my serious philosophical contemplations;1 think not that it is out of a disparagement to philosophy; or out of an opinion, as if this noble study were but a fiction of the mind; for though philosophers may err in searching and enquiring after the causes of natural effects, and many times embrace falshoods for truths; yet this doth not prove, that the ground of philosophy is merely fiction, but the error proceeds from the different motions of reason, which cause different opinions in different parts, and in some are more irregular than in others; for reason being dividable, because material, cannot move in all parts alike; and since there is but one truth in nature, all those that hit not this truth, do err, some more, some less; for though some may come nearer the mark than others, which makes their opinions seem more probable and rational than others; yet as long as they swerve from this only truth, they are in the wrong: nevertheless, all do ground their opinions upon reason; that is, upon rational probabilities, at least, they think they do: But fictions are an issue of man’s fancy, framed in his own mind, according as he pleases, without regard, whether the thing he fancies, be really existent without his mind or not; so that reason searches the depth of nature, and enquires after the true causes of natural effects; but fancy creates of its own accord whatsoever it pleases, and delights in its own work. The end of reason, is truth; the end of fancy, is fiction: but mistake me not, when I distinguish fancy from reason; I mean not as if fancy were not made by the rational parts of matter; but by reason I understand a rational search and enquiry into the causes of natural effects; and by fancy a voluntary creation or production of the mind, both being effects, or rather actions of the rational parts of matter; of which, as that is a more profitable and useful study than this, so it is also more laborious and difficult, and requires sometimes the help of fancy, to recreate the mind, and withdraw it from its more serious contemplations.

And this is the reason, why I added this piece of fancy to my philosophical observations, and joined them as two worlds at the ends of their poles; both for my own sake, to divert my studious thoughts, which I employed in the contemplation thereof, and to delight the reader with variety, which is always pleasing. But lest my fancy should stray too much, I chose such a fiction as would be agreeable to the subject treated of in the former parts; it is a description of a new world, not such as Lucian’s, or the French-man’s world in the moon;2 but a world of my own creating, which I call the Blazing World: the first part whereof is romancical, the second philosophical, and the third is merely fancy, or (as I may call it) fantastical, which if it add any satisfaction to you, I shall account my self a happy creatoress; if not, I must be content to live a melancholy life in my own world; I cannot call it a poor world, if poverty be only want of gold, silver, and jewels; for there is more gold in it than all the chemists ever did, and (as I verily believe) will ever be able to make. As for the rocks of diamonds, I wish with all my soul they might be shared amongst my noble female friends, and upon that condition, I would willingly quit my part; and of the gold I should only desire so much as might suffice to repair my noble lord and husband’s losses:3 for I am not covetous, but as ambitious as ever any of my sex was, is, or can be; which makes, that though I cannot be Henry the Fifth, or Charles the Second, yet I endeavour to be Margaret the First; and although I have neither power, time nor occasion to conquer the world as Alexander and Caesar did; yet rathr than not to be mistress of one, since Fortune and the Fates would give me none, I have made a world of my own: for which no body, I hope, will blame me, since it is in every one’s power to do the like.

THE DESCRIPTION OF
A NEW WORLD, CALLED
THE BLAZING WORLD.

A merchant travelling into a foreign country, fell extremely in love with a young Lady; but being a stranger in that nation, and beneath her both in birth and wealth, he could have but little hopes of obtaining his desire; however his love growing more and more vehement upon him, even to the slighting of all difficulties, he resolved at last to steal her away; which he had the better opportunity to do, because her father’s house was not far from the sea, and she often using to gather shells upon the shore, accompanied not with above two or three of her servants, it encouraged him the more to execute his design. Thus coming one time with a little light vessel, not unlike a packet-boat, manned with some few sea-men, and well victualled for fear of some accidents which might perhaps retard their journey to the place where she used to repair, he forced her away: But when he fancied himself the happiest man of the world, he proved to be the most unfortunate; for Heaven frowning at his theft, raised such a tempest, as they knew not what to do, or whither to steer their course; so that the vessel, both by its own lightness, and the violent motion of the wind, was carried as swift as an arrow out of a bow, towards the North Pole, and in a short time reached the Icy Sea, where the wind forced it amongst huge pieces of ice; but being little, and light, it did by assistance and favour of the Gods to this virtuous Lady, so turn and wind through those precipices, as if it had been guided by some experienced pilot, and skilful mariner: but alas! those few men which were in it, not knowing whither they went, nor what was to be done in so strange an adventure, and not being provided for so cold a voyage, were all frozen to death, the young Lady only, by the light of her beauty, the heat of her youth, and protection of the gods, remaining alive: neither was it a wonder that the men did freeze to death; for they were not only driven to the very end or point of the Pole of that world, but even to another Pole of another world, which joined close to it; so that the cold having a double strength at the conjunction of those two Poles, was insupportable: at last, the boat still passing on, was forced into another world, for it is impossible to round this world’s globe from Pole to Pole, so as we do from East to West; because the Poles of the other world, joining to the Poles of this, do not allow any further passage to surround the world that way; but if any one arrives to either of these Poles, he is either forced to return, or to enter into another world; and lest you should scruple at it, and think, if it were thus, those that live at the Poles would either see two suns at one time, or else they would never want the sun’s light for six months together, as it is commonly believed; you must know, that each of these worlds having its own sun to enlighten it, they move each one in their peculiar circles; which motion is so just and exact, that neither can hinder or obstruct the other; for they do not exceed their tropics, and although they should meet, yet we in this world cannot so well perceive them, by reason of the brightness of our sun, which being nearer to us, obstructs the splendour of the suns of the other worlds, they being too far off to be discerned by our optic perception, except we use very good telescopes, by which skilful astronomers have often observed two or three suns at once.

But to return to the wandering boat, and the distressed Lady, she seeing all the men dead, found small comfort in life; their bodies which were preserved all that while from putrefaction and stench, by the extremity of cold, began now to thaw, and corrupt; whereupon she having not strength enough to fling them over-board, was forced to remove out of her small cabin, upon the deck, to avoid that nauseous smell; and finding the boat swim between two plains of ice, as a stream that runs betwixt two shores, at last perceived land, but covered all with snow: from which came walking upon the ice strange creatures, in shape like bears, only they went upright as men; those creatures coming near the boat, catched hold of it with their paws, that served them instead of hands; some two or three of them entered first; and when they came out, the rest went in one after another; at last having viewed and observed all that was in the boat, they spoke to each other in a language which the Lady did not understand, and having carried her out of the boat, sunk it, together with the dead men.

The Lady now finding herself in so strange a place, and amongst such a wonderful kind of creatures, was extremely stricken with fear, and could entertain no other thoughts, but that every moment her life was to be a sacrifice to their cruelty; but those bear-like creatures, how terrible soever they appeared to her sight, yet were they so far from exercising any cruelty upon her, that rather they showed her all civility and kindness imaginable; for she being not able to go upon the ice, by reason of its slipperiness, they took her up in their rough arms, and carried her into their city, where instead of houses, they had caves under ground; and as soon as they entered the city, both males and females, young and old, flocked together to see this Lady, holding up their paws in admiration; at last having brought her into a certain large and spacious cave, which they intended for her reception, they left her to the custody of the females, who entertained her with all kindness and respect, and gave her such victuals as they were used to eat; but seeing her constitution neither agreed with the temper of that climate, nor their diet, they were resolved to carry her into another island of a warmer temper; in which were men like foxes, only walking in an upright shape, who received their neighbours the bear-men with great civility and courtship, very much admiring this beauteous Lady, and having discoursed some while together, agreed at last to make her a present to the Emperor of their world; to which end, after she had made some short stay in the same place, they brought her cross that island to a large river, whose stream ran smooth and clear, like crystal; in which were numerous boats, much like our fox-traps; in one whereof she was carried, some of the bear- and fox-men waiting on her; and as soon as they had crossed the river, they came into an island where there were men which had heads, beaks, and feathers, like wild-geese, only they went in an upright shape, like the bear-men and fox-men; their rumps they carried between their legs, their wings were of the same length with their bodies, and their tails of an indifferent size, trailing after them like a lady’s garment; and after the bear- and fox-men had declared their intention and design to their neighbours, the geese- or bird-men, some of them joined to the rest, and attended the Lady through that island, till they came to another great and large river, where there was a preparation made of many boats, much like birds’ nests, only of a bigger size; and having crossed that river, they arrived into another island, which was of a pleasant and mild temper, full of woods, and the inhabitants thereof were satyrs, who received both the bear-, fox- and bird-men, with all respect and civility; and after some conferences (for they all understood each other’s language) some chief of the satyrs joining to them, accompanied the Lady out of that island to another river, wherein were very handsome and commodious barges; and having crossed that river, they entered into a large and spacious kingdom, the men whereof were of a grass-green complexion, who entertained them very kindly, and provided all conveniences for their further voyage: hitherto they had only crossed rivers, but now they could not avoid the open seas any longer; wherefore they made their ships and tacklings ready to sail over into the island, where the Emperor of their Blazing World (for so it was called) kept his residence; very good navigators they were; and though they had no knowledge of the lodestone, or needle, or pendulous watches, yet (which was as serviceable to them) they had subtle observations, and great practice; insomuch that they could not only tell the depth of the sea in every place, but where there were shelves of sand, rocks, and other obstructions to be avoided by skilful and experienced sea-men: besides, they were excellent augurers, which skill they counted more necessary and beneficial than the use of compasses, cards, watches, and the like; but above the rest, they had an extraordinary art, much to be taken notice of by experimental philosophers, and that was a certain engine, which would draw in a great quantity of air, and shoot forth wind with a great force; this engine in a calm, they placed behind their ships, and in a storm, before; for it served against the raging waves, like canons against an hostile army, or besieged town. It would batter and beat the waves in pieces, were they as high as steeples; and as soon as a breach was made, they forced their passage through, in spight even of the most furious wind, using two of those engines at every ship, one before, to beat off the waves, and another behind to drive it on; so that the artificial wind had the better of the natural; for it had a greater advantage of the waves than the natural of the ships; the natural being above the face of the water, could not without a down-right motion enter or press into the ships, whereas the artificial with a sideward motion did pierce into the bowels of the waves: moreover, it is to be observed, that in a great tempest they would join their ships in battle array, and when they feared wind and waves would be too strong for them, if they divided their ships, they joined as many together as the compass or advantage of the places of the liquid element would give them leave; for their ships were so ingeniously contrived, that they could fasten them together as close as a honey-comb without waste of place; and being thus united, no wind nor waves were able to separate them. The Emperor’s ships were all of gold, but the merchants and skippers of leather; the golden ships were not much heavier than ours of wood, by reason they were neatly made, and required not such thickness, neither were they troubled with pitch, tar, pumps, guns, and the like, which make our wooden ships very heavy; for though they were not all of a piece, yet they were so well soddered,4 that there was no fear of leaks, chinks, or clefts; and as for guns, there was no use of them, because they had no other enemies but the winds; but the leather ships were not altogether so sure, although much lighter; besides, they were pitched to keep out water.

Having thus prepared and ordered their navy, they went on in despite of calm or storm, and though the Lady at first fancied herself in a very sad condition, and her mind was much tormented with doubts and fears, not knowing whether this strange adventure would tend to her safety or destruction; yet she being withal of a generous spirit, and ready wit, considering what dangers she had past, and finding those sorts of men civil and diligent attendants to her, took courage, and endeavoured to learn their language; which after she had obtained so far, that partly by some words and signs she was able to apprehend their meaning, she was so far from being afraid of them, that she thought her self not only safe, but very happy in their company: by which we may see, that novelty discomposes the mind, but acquaintance settles it in peace and tranquility.