The Blazing World and Other Writings (Penguin Classics)

by Cavendish, Margaret

  But the old gentleman, perceiving his neglect towards his niece, and hearing of his affections to that lady, strove by all the care and industry he could to give her such breeding as might win his love; not that he was negligent before she was contracted to him; for from the time of four years old, she was taught all that her age was capable of, as to sing, and to dance; for he would have this artificial motion become as natural, and to grow in perfection, as she grew in years. When she was seven years of age, he chose her such books to read in as might make her wise, not amorous, for he never suffered her to read in romancies, nor such light books; but moral philosophy was the first of her studies, to lay a ground and foundation of virtue, and to teach her to moderate her passions, and to rule her affections. The next, her study was in history, to learn her experience by the second hand, reading the good fortunes and misfortunes of former times, the errors that were committed, the advantages that were lost, the humour and dispositions of men, the laws and customs of nations, their rise, and their fallings, of their wars and agreements, and the like.

  The next study was in the best of poets, to delight in their fancies, and to recreate in their wit; and this she did not only read, but repeat what she had read every evening before she went to bed. Besides, he taught her to understand what she read, by explaining that which was hard and obscure. Thus she was always busily employed, for she had little time allowed her for childish recreations.

  Thus did he make her breeding his only business and employment; for he lived obscurely and privately, keeping but a little family, and having little or no acquaintance, but lived a kind of a monastical life.

  But when the niece was about thirteen years of age, he heard the Duke was married to the Lady with whom he was enamoured; for her husband dying, leaving her a widow, and rich, [she] claimed a promise from him that he made her whilst her husband was living, that when he died, being an old man, and not likely to live long, to marry her, although he was loath; for men that love the pleasures of the world, care not to be encumbered and obstructed with a wife, but [he] did not at all reflect upon his contract; for after his father died, he resolved not to take her to wife; for she being so young, he thought the contract of no validity: but [the lady] seeming more coy when she was a widow, than in her husband’s time, seeking thereby to draw him to marry her, and being overcome by several ways of subtlety, [he] married her. Whereupon the uncle was mightily troubled, and was very melancholy; which his niece perceived, and desired [of] him to know the cause.

  Whereupon he told her. Is this the only reason, said she? Yes, said he; and doth it not trouble you, said he? No, said she, unless I had been forsaken for some sinful crime I had committed against Heaven, or had infringed the laws of honour, or had broken the rules of modesty, or some misdemeanour against him, or some defect in nature, then I should have lamented, but not for the loss of the man, but for the cause of the loss, for then all the world might have justly defamed me with a dishonourable reproach:1 but now I can look the world in the face with a confident brow, as innocence can arm it. Besides, it was likely I might have been unhappy in a man that could not affect me; wherefore, good Uncle, be not melancholy, but think that fortune hath befriended me, or that destiny had decreed it so to be; if so, we are to thank the one, and it was impossible to avoid the other; and if the fates spin a long thread of your life, I shall never murmur for that loss, but give thanks to the gods for that blessing.

  O, but Child, said he, the Duke was the greatest and richest match, since his brother died, in the kingdom; and I would not have thy virtue, beauty, youth, wealth, and breeding, stoop to a low fortune, when thou mayst be a match fit for the Emperor of the whole world in a few years, if you grow up, and go on as you have begun.

  O, Uncle, said she, let not your natural affection make you an impartial judge, to give the sentence of more desert than I can own; if I have virtue, it is a reward sufficient in itself; if I have beauty, it is but one of nature’s fading favourers; and those that loved me for it, may hate me when it is gone; and if I be rich, as you say I am like to be, who are happier than those that are mistresses of their own fortunes? And if you have bred me well, I shall be happy in what condition soever I am in, being content, for that is the end and felicity of the mind.

  But if thou hadst been in love with him, said her uncle, where had been your content then? for no education can keep out that passion.

  I hope, said she, the gods will be more merciful than to suffer such passions I cannot rule. What manner of man is he, said she? for I was too young to remember him.

  His person, said he, is handsome enough.

  That is his outside, said she; but what is his inside? What is his nature and disposition?

  Debauched, said he, and loves his luxuries.

  Said she, heavens have blessed me from him.

  Well, said her uncle, since I am crossed in thy marriage, I will strive to make thee a meteor of the time, wherefore I will carry thee to the metropolitan city for thy better education; for here thou art bred obscurely, and canst learn little, because thou hearest nor seest little; but you shall not appear to the world this two or three years: but go always veiled, for the sight of thy face will divulge thee; neither will we have acquaintance or commerce with any, but observe, hear, and see so much as we can, not to be known.

  Sir, said she, I shall be ruled by your direction, for I know my small bark will swim the better and safer for your steerage; wherefore I shall not fear to launch it into the deepest or [most] dangerous places of the world, which I suppose are the great and populous cities. So making but small preparations, only what was for there necessity, they took their journey speedily, carrying no other servants but those that knew and used to obey their master’s will; and when they came to the city, they took private lodging; where after they had rested some few days, he carried her every day, once or twice a day, after her exercise of dancing and music was done; for he was careful she should not only keep what she had learned, but learn what she knew not: but after those hours, he carried her to lectures, according as he heard where any were read, as lectures of natural philosophy, for this she had studied least: but taking much delight therein, she had various speculations thereof; also lectures of physic, and lectures of chemistry, and lectures of music, and so divers others, on such days as they were read. Also, he carried her to places of judicature to hear great causes decided; and to the several courts, to hear the several pleadings, or rather wranglings of several lawyers: but never to courts, masques, plays, nor balls; and she always went to these places masked, muffled, and scarfed; and her uncle would make such means to get a private corner to sit in, where they might hear well; and when he came home, he would instruct her of all that was read, and tell her where they differed from the old authors; and then would give his opinion, and take her opinion of their several doctrines; and thus they continued for two years.

  In the meantime, her beauty increased according to her breeding, but was not made known to any as yet: but now being come to the age of sixteen years, her uncle did resolve to present her to the world, for he knew, youth was admired in itself; but when beauty and virtue were joined to it, it was the greater miracle. So he began to examine her; for he was jealous she might be catched with vain gallants, although he had observed her humour to be serious, and not apt to be catched with every toy; yet he knew youth to be so various, that there was no trusting it to itself.

  So he asked her, how was she taken with the riches and gallantry of the city, for she could not choose but see lords and ladies riding in their brave gilt coaches, and themselves dressed in rich apparel, and the young gallants riding on prancing horses upon embroidered footcloths as she passed along the streets.

  She answered, they pleased her eyes for a time, and that their dressings were like bridal houses, garnished and hung by some ingenious wit, and their beauties were like fine flowers drawn by the pencil of nature; but being not gathered by acquaintance, said she, I know not whether they are virtuously sw
eet, or no; but as I pass by, I please my eye, yet no other ways than as senseless objects; they entice me not to stay, and a short view satisfies the appetite of the senses, unless the rational and understanding part should be absent; but to me they seem but moving statues.

  Well, said he, I hear there is to be a masque at court, and I am resolved you shall go, if we can get in, to see it; for though I am old, and not fit to go, since my dancing days are done, yet I must get into some corner to see how you behave yourself.

  Pray, said she, what is a masque?

  Said he, it is painted scenes to represent the poet’s heavens and hells, their gods and devils, and clouds, sun, moon, and stars; besides, they represent cities, castles, seas, fishes, rocks, mountains, beasts, birds, and what pleaseth the poet, painter, and surveyor. Then there are actors, and speeches spoke, and music; and then lords or ladies come down in a scene, as from the clouds; and after that, they begin to dance, and everyone takes out according as they fancy. If a man takes out a woman, if she cannot dance, or will not dance, then she makes a curchy2 to the King, or Queen, or chief grandee, if there be anyone, if not, to the upper end of the room, then turn to the man, and make another to him; then he leaves, or leads her to them she will take out; and she doth the like to him, and then goeth to her place again. And so the men do the same, if they will not dance; and if they do dance, they do just so[.] When the dance is ended, and all the chief of the youth of the city come to see it, or to show themselves, or all those that have youthful minds, and love sights, and fine clothes; then the room is made as light with candles, as if the sun shined, and their glittering bravery makes as glorious a show as his gilded beams.

  Sir, said she, if there be such an assembly of nobles, beauty, and bravery, I shall appear so dull, that I shall be only fit to sit in the corner with you; besides, I shall be so out of countenance, that I shall not know how to behave myself; for private breeding looks mean and ridiculous, I suppose, in public assemblies of that nature, where none but the glories of the kingdom meet.

  Ashamed, said he, for what? You have stolen nobody’s goods, nor good names, nor have you committed adultery, for on my conscience you guess not what adultery is; nor have you murdered any, nor have you betrayed any trust, or concealed a treason; and then why should you be ashamed?

  Sir, said she, although I have committed none of those horrid sins, yet I may commit errors through my ignorance, and so I may be taken notice of only for my follies.

  Come, come, said he, all the errors you may commit, although I hope you will commit none, will be laid upon your youth; but arm yourself with confidence, for go you shall, and I will have you have some fine clothes, and send for dressers to put you in the best fashion.

  Sir, said she, I have observed how ladies are dressed when I pass the streets; and if you please to give me leave, I will dress myself according to my judgement; and if you intend I shall go more than once, let me not be extraordinary brave, lest liking me at first, and seeing me again, they should condemn their former judgement, and I shall lose what was gained, so shall I be like those that made a good assault, and a bad retreat.

  But Sir, said she, if you are pleased I shall show myself to the most view, let me be ordered so, that I may gain more and more upon their good opinions.

  Well, said her uncle, order yourself as you please, for I am unskilled in that matter; besides, thou needst no adornments, for nature hath adorned thee with a splendrous beauty. Another thing is, said he, we must remove our lodgings, for these are too mean to be known in; wherefore my steward shall go take a large house, and furnish it nobly, and I will make you a fine coach, and take more servants, and women to wait upon you; for since you have a good estate, you shall live and take pleasure; but I will have no men visitors but what are brought by myself: wherefore entertain no masculine acquaintance, nor give them the least encouragement.

  Sir, said she, my duty shall observe all your commands.

  When her uncle was gone, Lord, said she, what doth my uncle mean to set me out to show? Sure he means to traffic for a husband; but Heaven forbid those intentions, for I have no mind to marry: but my uncle is wise, and kind, and studies for my good, wherefore I submit, and could now chide myself for these questioning thoughts. Now, said she, I am to consider how I shall be dressed; my uncle saith, I am handsome, I will now try whether others think so as well as he, for I fear my uncle is partial on my side; wherefore I will dress me all in black, and have no colours about me; for if I be gay, I may be taken notice of for my clothes, and so be deceived, thinking it was for my person; and I would gladly know the truth, whether I am handsome or no, for I have no skill in physiognomy; so that I must judge of myself by the approbation of others’ eyes, and not by my own. But if I be, said she, thought handsome, what then? Why then, answered she herself, I shall be cried up to be a beauty; and what then? Then I shall have all eyes stare upon me; and what am I the better, unless their eyes could infuse in my brain, wit and understanding? Their eyes cannot enrich me with knowledge, nor give me the light of truth; for I cannot see with their eyes, nor hear with their ears, no more than their meat can nourish me which they do eat, or rest when they do sleep. Besides, I neither desire to make nor catch lovers, for I have an enmity against mankind, and hold them as my enemies; which if it be a sin, Heaven forgive, that I should for one man’s neglect and perjury, condemn all that sex.

  But I find I have a little emulation,3 which breeds a desire to appear more beautiful than the Duke’s wife, who is reported to be very handsome; for I would not have the world say, he had an advantage by the change: thus I do not envy her, nor covet what she enjoys, for I wish her all happiness, yet I would not have her happiness raised by my misfortunes; for charity should begin at home; for those that are unjust, or cruel to themselves, will never be merciful and just to others. But, O my contemplations, whither do you run? I fear, not in an even path; for though emulation is not envy, yet the bias leans to that side.

  But, said she, to this masque I must go, my uncle hath pressed me to the wars of vanity, where Cupid is general, and leads up the train: but I doubt I shall hang down my head, through shamefastness,4 like a young soldier, when he hears the bullets fly about his ears: but, O Confidence, thou god of good behaviour, assist me. Well, said she, I will practice against the day, and be in a ready posture. So after two or three days, was the masque; and when she was ready to go, her uncle comes to her, and sees her dressed all in black.

  Said he, why have you put yourself all in black?

  Sir, said she, I mourn like a young widow, for I have lost my husband.

  Now by my troth, said he, and it becomes thee, for you appear like the sun when he breaks through a dark cloud. Says he, I would have you go veiled, for I would have you appear to sight only when you come into the masquing room; and after the masque is done, all the company will rise as it were together, and join into a crowd: then throw your hood over your face, and pass through them as soon as you can, and as obscure, for I will not have you known until we are in a more courtly equipage. So away they went, only he and she, without any attendance; and when they came to enter through the door to the masquing room, there was such a crowd, and such a noise, the officers beating the people back, the women squeaking, and the men cursing, the officers threatening, and the enterers praying; which confusion made her afraid.

  Lord, Uncle, said she, what a horrid noise is here? Pray let us go back, and let us not put ourselves unto this unnecessary trouble.

  O Child, said he, camps and courts are never silent; besides, where great persons are, there should be a thundering noise to strike their inferiors with a kind of terror and amazement; for poets say, fear and wonder makes gods.

  Certainly, said she, there must be great felicity in the sight of this masque, or else they would never take so much pains, and endure so great affronts to obtain it: but, pray Uncle, said she, stay while they are all passed in.

  Why then, said he, we must stay until the masque is done, for there will be
striving to get in until such time as those within are coming out.

  But when they came near the door, her uncle spoke to the officer thereof; pray Sir, said he, let this young Lady in to see the masque.

  There is no room, said he, there are more young ladies already than the Viceroy and all his courtiers can tell what to do with.

  This is a dogged fellow, said her uncle; whereupon he told her, she must put up her scarf, and speak [her]self; for everyone domineers in their office, though it doth not last two hours; and are proud of their authority, though it be but to crack a louse; wherefore you must speak.

  Pray Sir, said she to the door-keeper, if it be no injury to your authority, you will be so civil as to let us pass by.

  Now by my troth, said he, thou hast such a pleasing face, none can deny thee: but now I look upon you better, you shall not go in.

  Why Sir? said she.

  Why, said he, you will make the painter and the poet lose their design, for one expects to enter in at the ears of the assembly, the other at their eyes, and your beauty will blind the one, and stop the other; besides, said he, all the ladies will curse me.

  Heaven forbid, said she, I should be the cause of curses; and to prevent that, I will return back again.

  Nay Lady, said he, I have not the power to let you go back, wherefore pray pass.

  Sir, said she, I must have this gentleman along with me.

  Even who you please, said he, I can deny you nothing, angels must be obeyed.

  When they came into the masquing room, the house was full; now, said her uncle, I leave you to shift for yourself: then he went and crowded himself into a comer at the lower end.

  When the company was called to sit down, that the masque might be represented, everyone was placed by their friends, or else they placed themselves. But she, being unaccustomed to those meetings, knew not how to dispose of herself, observing there was much jostling and thrusting one another to get to places[.] When she considered she had not strength to scamble5 amongst them, she stood still. When they were all set, it was as if a curtain was drawn from before her, and she appeared like a glorious light; whereat all were struck with such amaze, that they forgot a great while the civility in offering her a place. At last, all the men, which at such times sit opposite to the women to view them the better, rose up, striving every one to serve her: but the Viceroy bid them all sit down again, and called for a chair for her. But few looked on the masque for looking on her, especially the Viceroy and the Duke, whose eyes were riveted to her face.