The Blazing World and Other Writings (Penguin Classics)

by Cavendish, Margaret

  Said the old lady, by your beauty and discourse you seem to be of greater birth, and better breeding, than usually ordinary young maids have, and if it may not be offensive to you, pray give me leave to ask you from whence you came, and what you are, and how you came here[.] She sighing said, I was by an unfortunate war sent out of my country with my mother for safety, I being very young and the only child, my parents had[.] My father being one of the greatest and noblest subjects in the kingdom, and being employed in the chief command in that war, sent my mother, not knowing what the issue would be, to the Kingdom of Security, where he had been formerly sent as an ambassador, so my mother and I, went to remain there, until the trouble were over; but my father being killed in the wars, my mother died for grief, and left me destitute of friends in a strange country, [with] only some few servants; but I hearing a peace was concluded in the kingdom, I was resolved to return to my own native soil, to seek after my estate which my father left me as his only heir, and when I embarked, I only took two servants, a maid and a man, but by an unfortunate storm I was cast upon a shore belonging to this kingdom, where after I was landed, my two servants most treacherously robbed me of all my jewels, and those monies I had, and then most barbarously left me alone, where afterwards my host sold me to an old bawd, and she to one of her customers, who sought to enforce me, where I, to defend myself, shot him, but whether he be dead or alive I know not; afterwards I was brought hither, but by whose directions you I suppose can give a better account to yourself than I; yet I cannot say, but since I came hither I have been civilly used, and courteously entertained by yourself who seems to be a person of worth, which makes my fears less, for I hope you will secure me from injuries, though not from death[.] And since you are pleased to enquire what I am, and from whence I came, I shall entreat the same return, to instruct me in the knowledge of yourself, and why I was brought hither, and by whose order.

  The old lady said, she was sister to the Prince’s mother, and a tender lover of her nephew; and to comply with his desires, she was brought there to be kept, until he should dispose of her, then she told her what he was, but never mentioned the affection he had for her, but rather spoke as if her life were in danger. So taking her leave she left her, telling her she would send her such books as she desired. And thus passing some weeks, in the meantime the Prince recovered, resolving to visit this young Lady, who had heard by his aunt the relation of what she was, whose birth made him doubt she would not be so easily corrupted, as he hoped before, and she knowing his birth gave her more hopes of honourable usage[.] Yet sitting in a studious posture with a sad countenance and heavy fixed eyes, accompanied with melancholy thoughts contemplating of her misfortunes past, with a serious consideration of the condition she stood in, advising with her judgement for the future, in comes the Prince. She no sooner saw him, but she trembled for fear, remembering her past danger, and the trouble she was like to run through; but he with an humble behaviour and civil respect, craved pardon for his former faults, promising her, that if she would be pleased to allow him her conversation, he would never enforce that from her which she was not willing to grant, for there was nothing in this world he held dearer than her company, and sitting down by her, began to question her of love, as whether she had engaged her affection to any person of her own country, or anywhere else, she told him no; which answer, being jealous before, imagining she might be so valiant as to wound him more for the sake of her lover than out of a love to honour or reputation, received great content and joy, esteeming it the next happiness, that since she loved not him to love no other.

  I wonder at your courage, said he, for usually your sex are so tender and fearful, and so far from using instruments of death, as swords, guns, or the like, as they dare not look at them, but turn their head aside.

  She answered, that necessity was a great commandress, and thus discoursing some time, at last he took his leave until the next day: but when he was gone, glad she was. O what a torment will this be, said she, to be affrighted every day with this ravenous lion! but said she, I must get a spell against his fury, and not only against him but against all suchlike, which by her industry she got a subtle poison, which she put in a very small bladder, then she put that bladder of poison in a lock, which she fastened to her arm, that when any occasion served, she might have ready to put in her mouth, which in great extremity she would use: for crushing it but betwixt her teeth, it would expel life suddenly.

  The next morning the Prince sent her a present of all kinds of rich Persian silks, and tissues, fine linen and laces, and all manner of toys which young ladies use to make them fine and gay. But she returned them with great thanks, bidding the bringer tell the Prince, that she did never receive a present, but what she was able to return with advantage, unless it were from those that had a near relation, as parents and kindred, or the like; but he when he saw them returned, thought it was, because they were not rich enough, and sent her another present of jewels of great value; which when she had viewed, she said, they were very rich, and costly: but returning them back, said she, I dare not trust my youth with the richesse and vanities of the world, lest they may prove bribes to corrupt my free and honest mind; wherefore tell the Prince, said she, I am not to be catched with glorious baits, and so returned them back.

  The Prince, when he saw he could fasten no gifts on her, was much troubled, yet hoped that time might work her to his desires; so went to visit her, where when he saw her, he told her he was very unfortunate, that not only himself, but even his presents were hateful; for he could guess at no other reason why she should refuse them, since they were neither unlawful nor dishonourable to receive.

  She answered, that the principles that she was taught, were that gifts were both dangerous to give and take, from designing or covetous persons. He said he was unhappy, for by that she would not receive love, nor give love; thus daily he visited her, and hourly courted her, striving to insinuate himself into her favour by his person and services, as powdering, perfuming and rich clothing, although he was so personable and well favoured, with such store of eloquence, as might have persuaded both ears and eyes to have been advocates to a young heart and an inexperienced brain[.] His service was in observing her humour, his courtship was in praising her disposition, admiring her beauty, applauding her wit, approving her judgement, insomuch that at the last she did not dislike his company; and grew to that pass, as to be melancholy when he was gone, blush when he was named, start at his approaching, sigh, weep, grew pale and distempered, yet perceived not, nor knew her disease; besides, she would look often in the glass, curl her hair finely, wash her face cleanly, set her clothes handsomely, mask herself from the sun, not considering why she did so; but he, as all lovers have watchful eyes, observed she regarded herself more than she used to do, which made him more earnest for fear her passion should cool; protesting his love, vowing his fidelity and secrecy, swearing his constancy to death[.] She said, that he might make all that good, but not the lawfulness; can you said she, make it no sin to God, no dishonour to my family, no infamy to my sex, no breach in virtue, no wrong to honesty, no immodesty to myself?

  He answered, it was lawful by nature.

  Sir, said she, it is as impossible to corrupt me, as to corrupt Heaven; but were you free, I should willingly embrace your love, in lawful marriage[.]

  He told her they were both young, and his wife old, almost ripe enough for death, sith a little time more would cut her down; wherefore, said he, let us enjoy ourselves in the meantime, and when she is dead, we will marry.

  No, said she, I will not buy a husband at that dear rate, nor am I so evil, as to wish the death of the living for any advantage, unless they were enemies to virtue, innocence, or religion; but he was so importunate, as she seemed displeased, which he perceiving left off persisting, lest he might nip off the young and tender buds of her affection. But it chanced, not long after, there was a meeting of many nobles at that feast where healths to their mistresses were drank round: where the Pri
nce, who thought it a sin to love to neglect that institution, offered with great ceremony and devotion, for his mistress’s health, sprinkling the altar of the brain with fume, burning the incense of reason therein[.] After the feast was ended, he went to see his mistress, whose beauty like oil set his spirits in a flame, which made his affection grow to an intemperate heat; whereat she became so afraid, as she puts the poison into her mouth, the antidote of all evil, as she thought, then told him her intention; but he having more passion than doubt, would not believe her; which she perceiving, broke the bladder asunder betwixt her teeth, and immediately fell down as dead; whereat he was so amazed as he had not power to stir for a time, but at last calling for help, the old lady came to diem, he telling her what she had done, as well as his fear would give him leave. The lady having skill in physic,3 as most old ladies have, reading in herbals4 and such kind of books, gave her something to make her vomit up the poison, whereat she weakly revived to life again; but she was so very sick, as almost cut off of all hopes of keeping that life; whereat he lamented, tearing his hair, beating his breast, cursing himself, praying and imploring his pardon and her forgiveness, promising and protesting never the like again, she returning no answer, but groans and sighs: but he being a diligent servant, and much afflicted, watched by her, until she mended by the lady’s care and skill[.] When she was indifferent well recovered, she began to lament her ill condition and the danger she was in, employing her thoughts how she might escape the snares of spiteful fortune, and gain her friendship; where after some short time, finding opportunity to take time by the forelock, the Prince being sent for to court, and the old lady being not well, whereby she had more liberty, searching about the room [she] found a suit of clothes of the old lady’s page, which suit she carried into her chamber, and privately hid it, then taking pen and ink, writ two letters, the one to the Prince, the other to the old lady; so sealing the letters up, and writing their direction, left them upon the table; then she straight stripped herself of her own clothes, which she flung in a black place with her hair that she had cut off; and putting the page’s clothes on, in this disguise she went towards the chief city, to which came an arm of the sea up, making a large haven for many ships to lie at anchor in[.] But as soon as she came to the seaside, there was a ship just going off, which she seeing, got into it; her fears being so great, as not to consider, nor examine, wither they were bound; and they were so employed, hoisting their sails, and fitting their tacklings, as they took no notice when she came in: but being gone three or four leagues from the shore, and all quiet, and free from labour, the master walking upon the deck, seeing a handsome youth stand there in page’s clothes, asked him who he was, and how he came there. Said she, I do suppose, you are bound for the Kingdom of Riches, where I desire to go; but coming late, seeing everyone busily employed, I had no time to bargain for my passage; but I shall content you what in reason, you can require.

  Said the master, we are not bound to that kingdom, but are sent for new discoveries towards the South, neither have we provision for any more than those that are appointed to go; which when she heard, the tears flowed from her eyes, which became her so well, as moved the master to pity and affection[.] Then asking him what he was, she answered him, that she was a gentleman’s son, whom by the reason of civil wars, was carried out of his own country very young by his mother, and so related the truth of his being cast into that kingdom, only she fained she was a youth, and had served a lady as her page; but desiring to return into his own country, had mistaken and put himself into a wrong vessel, but said she I perceive the fates are not willing I should see my native country and friends; but I being young, travel, said she, may better my knowledge; and I shall not neglect any service I am able to do, or you are pleased to employ me in, if you will accept thereof[.] At last her graceful and humble demeanour, her modest countenance, and her well favoured face preferred her to this master’s service, who was a grave and a discreet man, who told her, as supposing her a boy, that since [he] was there, he would not cast him out, although, said he, it will be hard for me to keep you, yet you shall partake of what I have allowed for myself[.]

  She giving him many thanks, said she would strive to deserve it. But after some weeks, the master fell very sick; in which sickness she was so industrious to recover his health by her diligent attendance and care, as begot such affection in the old man, that he adopted him his son, having no children of his own, nor like to have, he being in years. But having sailed five or six months without any tempestuous winds, yet not without danger of rocks and shelves of sand, which they avoided by their skill, and many times refreshed themselves in those harbours they might put into, which made them hope [for] a pleasant and prosperous voyage.

  But fortune playing her usual tricks, to set men up on high hopes, and then to cast them down to ruin, irritated the gods against them, for their curiosity in searching too far into their works, which caused them to raise a great storm, making the clouds and seas to meet, showers to beat them, winds to toss them, thunder to affright diem, lightning to amaze them, insomuch as they had neither strength to help themselves, nor sight to guide diem, nor memory to direct them, nor courage to support diem; the anchor was lost, the rudder was broke, the masts were split, the sails all torn, the ship did leak, their hopes were gone;

  Nothing was left but black despair,