Free The Blazing World and Other Writings (Penguin Classics) by Margaret Cavendish Page A

as death, her spirits being gathered to guard the heart, being in distress, as overwhelmed with passion. But the bustle of the crowd helped to obscure her change, as well it did smother her uncle’s words, which pierced none but the Duke’s ears, and hers.
    The Viceroy taking her by the hand, led her to the coach, and all the gallants attended; whereat the ladies, that were left behind in the room, were so angry, shooting forth words like bullets with the fire of anger, wounding every man with reproach: but at the Viceroy they sent out whole volleys, which battered his reputation: but as for the young Lady, they did appoint a place of purpose to dissect her, reading satirical lectures upon every part with the hard terms of dispraises. So all being dispersed, the Viceroy longed for that seasonable hour to visit her.
    But the Duke wished there were neither time nor life: I cannot hope, said he, for mercy, my fault is too great, nor can Ilive or the in quiet without it; but the miseries and torments of despairing lovers will be my punishment.
    But the old gentleman was so pleased to see his niece admired, that as he went home, he did nothing but sing after a humming way; and was so frolic, as if he were returned to twenty years of age; and after he came home, he began to examine his niece.
    Said he, how do you like the Duke? for that was he who was speaking to you when I came.
    She answered, that she saw nothing to be disliked in his person.
    And how, said he, do you like the Viceroy?
    As well, said she, as I can like a thing that time hath worn out of fashion.
    So, said he, I perceive you despise age: but let me tell you, that what beauty and favour Time takes from the body, he gives double proportions of knowledge and understanding to the mind; and you use to preach to me, the outside is not to be regarded; and I hope you will not preach that doctrine to others you will not follow yourself.
    Sir, said she, I shall be ruled by your doctrine, and not by my own.
    Then, said he, I take my text out of virtue, which is divided into four parts, prudence, fortitude, temperance, and justice. Prudence is to forsee the worst, and provide the best we can for ourselves, by shunning the dangerous ways, and choosing the best; and my application is, that you must shun the dangerous ways of beauty, and choose riches and honour, as the best for yourself.
    Fortitude is to arm ourselves against misfortunes, and to strengthen our forts with patience, and to fight with industry. My application of this part is, you must barricade your ears, and not suffer, by listening after the enticing persuasions of rhetoric to enter; for if it once get into the brain, it will easily make a passage to the heart, or blow up the tower of reason with the fire of foolish love.
    Temperance is to moderate the appetites, and qualify theunruly passions. My third application is, you must marry a discreet and sober man, a wise and understanding man, a rich and honourable man, a grave and aged man, and not, led by your appetites, marry a vain fantastical man, a proud conceited man, a wild debauched man, a foolish prodigal, a poor shark, or a young inconstant man.
    And fourthly and lastly, is justice, which is to be divided according to right and truth, to reward and punish according to desert, to deal with others as we would be dealt unto.
    My last application is, that you should take such counsel, and follow such advice from your friends, as you would honestly give to a faithful friend as the best for him, without any ends to yourself; and so goodnight, for you cannot choose but be very sleepy.
    When he was gone, Lord, said she, this doctrine, although it was full of morality, yet in this melancholy humour I am in, it sounds like a funeral sermon to me: I am sure it is a preamble to some design he hath, pray God it is not to marry me to the Viceroy; of all the men I ever saw, I could not affect him, I should more willingly wed death than him, he is an antipathy to my