so many cross and different Opinions, that they could not suddenly
resolve what answer to send the Empress; at which she grew angry,
insomuch that she resolved to return into her Blazing- World, without
giving any assistance to her Countrymen: but the Duchess of Newcastle
intreated her Majesty to abate her passion; for, said she, Great
Councels are most commonly slow, because many men have many several
Opinions: besides, every Councellor striving to be the wisest, makes
long speeches, and raise many doubts, which cause retardments. If I had
long-speeched Councellors, replied the Empress, I would hang them, by
reason they give more Words, then Advice. The Duchess answered, That her
Majesty should not be angry, but consider the differences of that and
her Blazing-World; for, said she, they are not both alike; but there are
grosser and duller understandings in this, than in the Blazing-World.
At last a Messenger came out, who returned the Empress thanks for her
kind proffer, but desired withal, to know from whence she came, and how,
and in what manner her assistance could be serviceable to them? The
Empress answered, That she was not bound to tell them whence she came;
but as for the manner of her assistance, I will appear, said she, to
your Navy in a splendorous Light, surrounded with Fire. The Messenger
asked at what time they should expect her coming? I'le be with you,
answered the Empress, about one of the Clock at night. With this report
the Messenger returned; which made both the poor Councellors and Sea-men
much afraid; but yet they longed for the time to behold this strange sight.
The appointed hour being come, the Empress appear'd with Garments made
of the Star-stone, and was born or supported above the Water, upon the
Fish- mens heads and backs, so that she seemed to walk upon the face of
the Water, and the Bird- and Fish-men carried the Fire-stone, lighted
both in the Air, and above the Waters.
Which sight, when her Country-men perceived at a distance, their hearts
began to tremble; but coming something nearer, she left her Torches, and
appeared onely in her Garments of Light, like an Angel, or some Deity,
and all kneeled down before her, and worshipped her with all submission
and reverence: But the Empress would not come nearer than at such a
distance where her voice might be generally heard, by reason she would
not have that any of her Accoustrements should be perceived, but the
splendor thereof; and when she was come so near that her voice could be
heard and understood by all, she made this following Speech:
Dear Country-men, for so you are, although you know me not; I being a
Native of this Kingdom, and hearing that most part of this World had
resolved to make Warr against it, and sought to destroy it, at least to
weaken its Naval Force and Power, have made a Voyage out of another
World, to lend you my assistance against your Enemies. I come not to
make bargains with you, or to regard my own Interest more than your
Safety; but I intend to make you the most powerful Nation of this World,
and therefore I have chosen rather to quit my own Tranquility, Riches
and Pleasure, than suffer you to be ruined and destroyed. All the Return
I desire, is but your grateful acknowledgment, and to declare my Power,
Love and Loyalty to my Native Country: for, although I am now a Great
and Absolute Princess, and Empress of a whole World, yet I acknowledg,
that once I was a Subject of this Kingdom, which is but a small part of
this World; and therefore I will have you undoubtedly believe, that I
shall destroy all your Enemies before this following Night, I mean those
which trouble you by Sea; and if you have any by Land, assure your self
I shall also give you my assistance against them, and make you triumph
over all that seek your Ruine and Destruction.
Upon this Declaration of the Empress, when both the General, and all the
Commanders in their several Ships, had return'd their humble and hearty
Thanks to Her Majesty for so great a favour to them, she took her leave,
and departed to her own Ships. But, good Lord! what several Opinions and
Judgments did this produce in the minds of her Country-men! some said
she was an Angel; others, she was a sorceress; some believed her a
Goddess; others said the Devil deluded them in the shape of a fine Lady.
The morning after, when the Navies were to fight, the Empress appear'd
upon the face of the Waters, dress'd in her Imperial Robes, which were
all of Diamonds and Carbuncles; in one hand she held a Buckler, made of
one intire Carbuncle; and in the other hand a Spear of one intire
Diamond; on her head she had a Cap of Diamonds, and just upon the top of
the Crown, was a Starr made of the Starr-stone, mentioned heretofore;
and a Half-Moon made of the same Stone, was placed on her forehead; all
her other Garments were of several sorts of precious Jewels; and having
given her Fish-men directions how to destroy the Enemies of her Native
Country, she proceeded to effect her design. The Fish-men were to carry
the Fire-stones in cases of Diamonds (for the Diamonds in the
Blazing-World, are in splendor so far beyond the Diamonds of this World,
as Peble-stones are to the best sort of this Worlds Diamonds) and to
uncase or uncover those Fire-stones no sooner but when they were just
under the Enemis Ships, or close at their sides, and then to wet them,
and set their Ships on fire; which was no sooner done, but all the
Enemie's Fleet was of a Flaming fire; and coming to the place where the
Powder was, it streight blew them up; so that all the several Navies of
the Enemies, were destroyed in a short time: which when her Countrymen
did see, they all cried out with one voice, That she was an Angel sent
from God to deliver them out of the hands of their Enemies: Neither
would she return into the Blazing-World, until she had forced all the
rest of the World to submit to that same Nation.
In the mean time, the General of all their Naval Forces, sent to their
soveraign to acquaint him with their miraculous Delivery and Conquest,
and with the Empress's design of making him the most powerful Monarch of
all that World. After a short time, the Empress sent her self, to the
soveraign of that Nation to know in what she could be serviceable to
him; who returning her many thanks, both for her assistance against his
Enemies, and her kind proffer to do him further service for the good and
benefit of his Nations (for he was King over several Kingdoms) sent her
word, that although she did partly destroy his Enemies by Sea, yet, they
were so powerful, that they did hinder the Trade and Traffick of his
Dominions. To which the Empress returned this answer, That she would
burn and sink all those Ships that would not pay him Tribute; and
forthwith sent to all the Neighbouring Nations, who had any Traffick by
Sea, desiring them to pay Tribute to the King and soveraign of that
Nation where she was born; But they denied it with great scorn.
Whereupon, she immediately commanded her Fish-men, to destroy all
strangers Ships that traffick'd on the Seas; which they did according to
the Empress's Command; and when the Neighbouring Nations and Kingdoms
perceived her power, they were so discomposed in their affairs and
designs, that they knew not what to do: At last they sent to the
Empress, and desired to treat with her, but could get no other
conditions then to submit and pay Tribute to the said King and soveraign
of her Native Country, otherwise, she was resolved to ruin all their
Trade and Traffick by burning their Ships. Long was this Treaty, but in
fine, they could obtain nothing, so that at last they were inforced to
submit; by which the King of the mentioned Nations became absolute
Master of the Seas, and consequently of that World; by reason, as I
mentioned heretofore, the several Nations of that World could not well
live without Traffick and Commerce, by Sea, as well as by Land.
But after a short time, those Neighbouring Nations finding themselves so
much inslaved, that they were hardly able to peep out of their own
Dominions without a chargeable Tribute, they all agreed to join again
their Forces against the King and soveraign of the said Dominions; which
when the Empress receiv'd notice of, she sent out her Fish-men to
destroy, as they had done before, the remainder of all their Naval
Power, by which they were soon forced again to submit, except some
Nations which could live without Foreign Traffick, and some whose Trade
and Traffick was meerly by Land; these would no ways be Tributary to the
mentioned King. The Empress sent them word, That in case they did not
submit to him, she intended to fire all their Towns and Cities, and
reduce them by force, to what they would not yield with a good will. But
they rejected and scorned her Majesties Message, which provoked her
anger so much, that she resolved to send her Bird- and Worm men thither,
with order to begin first with their smaller Towns, and set them on fire
(for she was loath to make more spoil then she was forced to do) and if
they remain'd still obstinate in their resolutions, to destroy also
their greater Cities. The onely difficulty was, how to convey the
Worm-men conveniently to those places; but they desired that her Majesty
would but set them upon any part of the Earth of those Nations, and they
could travel within the Earth as easily, and as nimbly as men upon the
face of the Earth; which the Empress did according to their desire.
But before both the Bird- and Worm-men began their journey, the Empress
commanded the Bear-men to view through their Telescopes what Towns and
Cities those were that would not submit; and having a full information
thereof, she instructed the Bird- and Bear-men what Towns they should
begin withal; in the mean while she sent to all the Princes and
soveraigns of those Nations, to let them know that she would give them a
proof of her Power, and check their Obstinacies by burning some of their
smaller Towns; and if they continued still in their Obstinate
Resolutions, that she would convert their smaller Loss into a Total
Ruin. She also commanded her Bird-men to make their flight at night,
lest they be perceived. At last when both the Bird- and Worm-men came to
the designed places, the Worm-men laid some Fire-stones under the
Foundation of every House, and the Bird-men placed some at the tops of
them, so that both by rain, and by some other moisture within the Earth,
the stones could not fail of burning. The Bird-men in the mean time
having learned some few words of their Language, told them, That the
next time it did rain, their Towns would be all on fire; at which they
were amaz'd to hear Men speak in the air; but withall they laughed when
they heard them say that rain should fire their Towns; knowing that the
effect of Water was to quench, not produce Fire.
At last a rain came, and upon a sudden all their Houses appeared of a
flaming Fire; and the more Water there was poured on them, the more they
did flame and burn; which struck such a Fright and Terror into all the
Neighbouring Cities, Nations and Kingdoms, that for fear the like should
happen to them, they and all the rest of the parts of that World,
granted the Empress's desire, and submitted to the Monarch and sovereign
of her Native Countrey, the King of Esfi; save one, which having seldom
or never any rain, but onely dews, which would soon be spent in a great
fire, slighted her Power: The Empress being desirous to make it stoop as
well as the rest, knew that every year it was watered by a flowing Tide,
which lasted some Weeks; and although their Houses stood high from the
ground, yet they were built upon Supporters which were fixt into the
ground. Wherefore she commanded both her Bird- and Worm-men to lay some
of the Fire-stones at the bottom of those Supporters, and when the Tide
came in, all their Houses were of a Fire, which did so rarifie the
Water, that the Tide was soon turn'd into a Vapour, and this Vapour
again into Air; which caused not onely a destruction of their Houses,
but also a general barrenness over all their Countrey that year, and
forced them to submit, as well as the rest of the World had done.
Thus the Empress did not onely save her Native Country, but made it the
Absolute Monarchy of all that World; and both the effects of her Power
and her Beauty, did kindle a great desire in all the greatest Princes to
see her; who hearing that she was resolved to return into her own
Blazing-World, they all entreated the favour, that they might wait on
her Majesty before she went. The Empress sent word, That she should be
glad to grant their Requests; but having no other place of Reception for
them, she desired that they would be pleased to come into the open Seas
with their Ships, and make a Circle of a pretty large compass, and then
her own Ships should meet them, and close up the Circle, and she would
present her self to the view of all those that came to see her: Which
Answer was joyfully received by all the mentioned Princes, who came,
some sooner, and some later, each according to the distance of his
Countrey, and the length of the voyage. And being all met in the form
and manner aforesaid, the Empress appeared upon the face of the Water in
her Imperial Robes; in some part of her hair, near her face, she had
placed some of the Starr- Stone, which added such a luster and glory to
it, that it caused a great admiration in all that were present, who
believed her to be some Celestial Creature, or rather an uncreated
Goddess, and they all had a desire to worship her; for surely, said
they, no mortal creature can have such a splendid and transcendent
beauty, nor can any have so great a power as she has, to walk upon the
Waters, and to destroy whatever she pleases, not onely whole Nations,
but a whole World.
The Empress expressed to her own Countrymen, who were also her
Interpreters to the rest of the Princes that were present, That she
would give them an Entertainment at the darkest time of Night: Which
being come, the Fire-Stones were lighted, which made both Air and Seas
appear of a bright shining flame, insomuch that they put all Spectators
into an extream fright, who verily believed they should all be
destroyed; which the Empress perceiving, caused all the Lights of the
Fire-Stones to be put out, and onely shewed her self in her Garments of
Light. The Bird-men carried her upon their backs into the Air, and there
she appear'd as glorious as the Sun. Then she was set down upon the Seas
again, and presently there was heard the most melodious and sweetest
Consort of Voices, as ever was heard out of the Seas, which was made by
the Fish- men; this Consort was answered by another, made by the
Bird-men in the Air, so that it seem'd as if Sea and Air had spoke, and
answered each other by way of Singing-Dialogues, or after the manner of
those Playes that are acted by singing-Voices.
But when it was upon break of day, the Empress ended her Entertainment,
and at full day-light all the Princes perceived that she went into the
Ship wherein the Prince and Monarch of her Native Country was, the King
of Esfi, with whom she had several Conferences; and having assured Him
of the readiness of her Assistance whensoever he required it, telling
Him withal, That she wanted no Intelligence, she went forth again upon
the Waters, and being in the midst of the Circle made by those Ships
that were present, she desired them to draw somewhat nearer, that they
might hear her speak; which being done, she declared her self in this
following manner:
Great, Heroick, and Famous Monarchs, I come hither to assist the King of
Esfi against his Enemies, He being unjustly assaulted by many several
Nations, which would fain take away His Hereditary Rights, and
Prerogatives of the Narrow Seas; at which Unjustice, Heaven was much
displeased, and for the Injuries He received from His Enemies, rewarded
Him with an Absolute Power, so that now he is become the Head-Monarch of
all this World; which Power, though you may envy, yet you can no wayes
hinder Him; for all those that endeavour to resist His Power, shall
onely get Loss for their Labour, and no Victory for their Profit.
Wherefore my advice to you all is, To pay him Tribute justly and truly,
that you may live Peaceably and Happily, and be rewarded with the
Blessings of Heaven: which I wish you from my Soul.
After the Empress had thus finished her Speech to the Princes of the
several Nations of that World, she desired that in their Ships might
fall back; which being done, her own Fleet came into the Circle, without
any visible assistance of Sails or Tide; and her self being entred into
her own Ship, the whole Fleet sunk immediately into the bottom of the
Seas, and left all the Spectators in a deep amazement; neither would she
suffer any of her Ships to come above the Waters, until she arrived into
the Blazing-World.
In time of the Voyage, both the Empress's and the Duchess's Soul, were
very gay and merry; and sometimes they would converse very seriously
with each other. Amongst the rest of their discourses, the Duchess said,
she wondred much at one thing, which was, That since her Majesty had
found out a passage out of the Blazing-World, into the World she came
from, she did not enrich that part of the World where she was born, at
least her own Family, though she had enough to enrich the whole World.
The Empress's Soul answered, That she loved her Native Countrey, and her
own Family, as well as any Creature could do; and that this was the
reason why she would not enrich them: for, said she, not only particular
Families or Nations, but all the World, their Natures are such, that
much Gold, and great store of Riches, makes them mad; insomuch as they
endeavour to destroy each other for Gold or Riches sake. The reason
thereof is, said the Duchess, that they have too little Gold and Riches,
which makes them so eager to have it. No, replied the Empress's Soul,
their particular Covetousness, is beyond all the wealth of the richest
World, and the more Riches they have, the more Covetous they are; for
their Covetousness is Infinite. But, said she, I would there could a
Passage be found out of the Blazing-World, into the World whence you
came, and I would willingly give you as much Riches as you desir'd. The
Duchess's Soul gave her Majesty humble thanks for her great Favour; and
told her, that she was not covetous, nor desir'd any more wealth than
what her Lord and Husband had before the Civil-Warrs. Neither, said she,
should I desire it for my own, but my Lord's Posterities sake. Well,
said the Empress, I'le command my Fish-men to use all their Skill and
Industry to find out a Passage into that World which your Lord and
Husband is in. I do verily believe, answered the Duchess, that there
will be no Passage found into that World; but if there were any, I
should not Petition your Majesty for Gold and Jewels, but only for the
Elixir that grows in the midst of the Golden Sands, for to preserve Life
and Health; but without a Passage, it is impossible to carry away any of
it: for, whatsoever is Material, cannot travel like Immaterial Beings,
such as Souls and Spirits are. Neither do Souls require any such thing
that might revive them, or prolong their Lives, by reason they are
unalterable: for, were Souls like Bodies, then my Soul might have had
the benefit of that Natural Elixir that grows in your Blazing-World. I
wish earnestly, said the Empress, that a Passage might be found, and
then both your Lord and your self, should neither want Wealth, nor
Long-life: nay, I love you so well, that I would make you as Great and
Powerful a Monarchess, as I am of the Blazing-World. The Duchess's Soul
humbly thank'd her Majesty, and told her, That she acknowledged and
esteemed her Love beyond all things that are in Nature.
After this Discourse, they had many other Conferences, which for
brevity's sake I'le forbear to rehearse. At last, after several
Questions which the Empress's Soul asked the Duchess, she desired to
know the reason why she did take such delight, when she was joyned to
her Body, in being singular both in Accoustrements, Behaviour, and
Discourse? The Duchess's Soul answered, she confessed that it was
extravagant, and beyond what was usual and ordinary: but yet her
ambition being such, that she would not be like others in any thing, if
it were possible, I endeavour, said she, to be as singular as I can:
for, it argues but a mean Nature, to imitate others: and though I do not
love to be imitated, if I can possibly avoid it; yet, rather than
imitate others, I should chuse to be imitated by others: for my Nature
is such, that I had rather appear worse in Singularity, than better in
the Mode. If you were not a great Lady, replied the Empress, you would
never pass in the World for a wise Lady: for, the World would say, your
Singularities are Vanities. The Duchess's Soul answered, she did not at
all regard the Censure of this, or any other Age, concerning Vanities:
but, said she, neither this present, nor any of the future Ages, can or
will truly say, that I am not Vertuous and Chast: for I am confident,
all that were, or are acquainted with me, and all the Servants which
ever I had, will or can upon their oaths declare my actions no otherwise
than Vertuous: and certainly, there's none even of the meanest Degree,
which have not their Spies and Witnesses, much more those of the Nobler
sort, which seldom or never are without Attendants; so that their Faults
(if they have any) will easily be known, and as easily be divulged.
Wherefore, happy are those Natures that are Honest, Vertuous, and Noble;
not only happy to themselves, but happy to their Families. But, said the
Empress, if you glory so much in your Honesty and Vertue, how comes it
that you plead for Dishonest and Wicked persons, in your Writings? The
Duchess answered, It was only to shew her Wit, not her Nature.
At last the Empress arrived into the Blazing-World, and coming to her
Imperial Palace, you may sooner imagine than expect that I should
express the joy which the Emperor had at her safe return; for he loved
her beyond his Soul; and there was no love lost, for the Empress equal'd
his Affection with no less love to him. After the time of rejoicing with
each other, the Duchess's Soul begg'd leave to return to her Noble Lord:
But the Emperor desired, that before she departed, she would see how he
had employed his time in the Empress's absence; for he had built Stables
and Riding-Houses, and desired to have Horses of Manage, such as,
according to the Empress's Relation, the Duke of Newcastlehad: The
Emperor enquired of the Duchess, the Form and Structure of her Lord and
Husband's Stables and Riding-House. The Duchess answer'd his Majesty,
That they were but plain and ordinary; but, said she, had my Lord
Wealth, I am sure he would not spare it, in rendring his Buildings as
Noble as could be made. Hereupon the Emperor shewed the Duchess the
Stables he had built, which were most stately and magnificent; among the
rest, there was one double Stable that held a Hundred Horses on a side,
the main Building was of Gold, lined with several sorts of precious
Materials; the Roof was Arched with Agats, the sides of the Walls were
lined with Cornelian, the Floor was paved with Amber, the Mangers were
Mother of Pearl; the Pillars, as also the middle Isle or Walk of the
Stables, were of Crystal; the Front and Gate was of Turquois, most
neatly cut and carved. The Riding-House was lined with Saphirs, Topases,
and the like; the Floor was all of Golden-Sand so finely sifted, that it
was extreamly soft, and not in the least hurtful to the Horses feet, and
the Door and Frontispiece was of Emeralds curiously carved.