The Blazing World and Other Writings (Penguin Classics)

by Cavendish, Margaret

  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.