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

nature, good Jupiter, said she, deliver me from him. So she went to bed, not to sleep, for she could take little rest, for her thoughts worked as fast as a feverish pulse.
    But the Viceroy came the next day, and treated with her uncle, desiring her for his wife.
    Her uncle told him, it would be a great fortune for his niece, but he could not force her affection; but, said he, you shall have all the assistance, as the power and authority of an uncle, and the persuasions as a friend can give, to get her consent to marry you.
    Pray, said the Viceroy, let me see her, and discourse with her.
    He desired to excuse him, if he suffered him not to visit her; for, said he, young women that are disposed by their friends, must wed without wooing. But he was very loath to go without a sight of her: yet pacifying himself with the hopes of having her to his wife, presented his service to her, and took his leave.
    Then her uncle sat in council with his thoughts how heshould work her affection, and draw her consent to marry this Viceroy, for he found she had no stomach towards him; at last, he thought it best to let her alone for a week, or such a time, that the smooth faces of the young gallants, that she saw at the masque and ball, might be worn out of her mind. In the meantime, she grew melancholy, her countenance was sad, her spirits seemed dejected, her colour faded, for she could eat no meat, nor take no rest; neither could she study nor practise her exercises, as dancing, etc. Her music was laid by: neither could she raise her voice to any note, but walked from one end of the room to the other, with her eyes fixed upon the ground, would sigh and weep, and knew not for what; at last, [she] spoke thus to herself[.] Surely an evil fate hangs over me, for I am so dull, as if I were a piece of earth, without sense; yet I am not sick, I do not find my body distempered, then surely it is in my mind, and what should disturb that: my uncle loves me, and is as fond of me as ever he was; I live in plenty, I have as much pleasure and delight as my mind can desire. O but the Viceroy affrights it, there is the cause; and yet methinks that cannot be, because I do verily believe my uncle will not force me to marry against my affections; besides, the remembrance of him seldom comes into my mind; for my mind is so full of thoughts of the Duke, that there is no other room left for any other; my fancy orders places, and dresses him a thousand several ways: thus have I a thousand several figures of him in my head[.] Heaven grant I be not in love; I dare not ask anyone that hath been in love, what humours that passion hath: but why should I be in love with him? I have seen as handsome men as he, that I would not take the pains to look on twice: but now I call him better to mind, he is the handsomest I ever saw: but what is a handsome body, unless he hath a noble soul? He is perjured and inconstant; alas, it was the fault of his father to force him to swear against his affections. But whilst she was thus reasoning to herself, in came her uncle; he told her, he had provided her with a good husband.
    Sir, said she, are you weary of me? Or am I become a burden, you so desire to part with me, in giving me a husband?
    Nay, said he, I will never part, for I will end the few remainder of my days with thee.
    Said she, you give your power, authority, and commands, with my obedience, away; for if my husband and your commands are contrary, I can obey but one, which must be my husband.
    Good reason, said he, and for thy sake I will be commanded to; but in the meantime, I hope you will be ruled by me; and here is a great match propounded to me for you, the like I could not have hoped for, which is the Viceroy, he is rich.
    Yet, said she, he may be a fool.
    O, he is wise and discreet, said he.
    Said she, I have heard he is ill natured, and froward. 8
    Answered her uncle, he is in great power and authority.
    He may be, said she, never the honester for that.
    He is, said he,