The Blazing World and Other Writings (Penguin Classics) (14 page)

But whilst she was in this passion, the Prince came in, who had been in the young Lady’s chamber, but missing her, thought she had been there: but seeing her not, and the old lady weeping, straight asked her for his mistress; but she through tears and sobs could not answer; whereupon some about her answered, she was gone none could tell where: at whose words, the Prince’s countenance and complexion expressed his grief, the one being sad, the other pale, standing in a fixed posture, his body seeming like a statue which his soul had left, being gone to seek after her: but at last, as if it had returned in despair, grew frantic with grief, tearing himself, cursing his misfortunes[.] At last, [he] goeth into her chamber, looking in every corner, even where she could not be, as much as where she might be; for lovers leave no place nor means unsought or untried. At last, he espied a letter upon the table directed to the lady, which he opened, considering not the incivility of breaking up the seal without the lady’s leave, for jealous lovers break all such ceremonies; and thus read[.]

Madam,

Pray think me not ungrateful after all your noble favours, that I go away without your leave or knowledge; for could I have stayed with security, nothing but your commands could have forced me from you; or could my life have served you, I would have offered it as a sacrifice to obligation: but Madam, it is too dangerous for a lamb to live near a lion; for your nephew is of so hungry an appetite, that I dare not stay, which
makes me seek safety in some other place: but when my thoughts forget your honourable memory, let them cease to think. The gods protect your virtue, and send you health. Fare you well.

Affectionata.

When he had read this letter, and went to lay it on the table again, he perceived another letter directed to him, which he opened and read.

Sir,

You cannot condemn me for going away, since my stay might prove my ruin, you having not power over your passions; but had my life been only in danger, I should have ventured it; not that I am so fond of death as to give my life willingly away; but I am so true a votress to Chastity, that I will never forsake her order, but will carry her habit to my grave; nor will I give Virtue an occasion to weep over my follies, nor Truth to revile me with falsehood, but honour as a garland shall crown my hearse, whilst innocency enshrines my corpse, that Fame may build me a monument in noble minds: but had you been master of your passion, or had the temperance of your affections been equal to your other virtues, I should have joyed to live near you, as saints do to gods; and though my hard fortune has driven me into many dangers, and more I am like to run through by the unknown ways you have forced me into, yet the blessing of Jupiter fall upon you, whatsoever chance to me. Farewell.

Affectionata.

When he had read his letter, he sits down musing with himself a long time; then rose, and without speaking any words, departed to his house in the city.

The old lady, his Princess, seeing him so sad, asked him what was the cause.

He answered, he was sick, and went to bed.

The next day, calling his steward, he settled his estate, and ordered everything according to his mind; then bid him provide so much monies; which done, he sent for his wife, telling her she must not take it ill, if he left her for a short time, for he was resolved to travel, for, said he, I have a quarrel to one that is
stolen out of the kingdom, and I cannot be at quiet until I have found the party out to be revenged for the injury done me, bidding her conceal the cause.

She with tears entreated his stay; but no persuasions could prevail to alter his intention, or rather resolution; for love is obstinate; and if it finds not a like return, but a neglect, grows spiteful, rather wishing evil to what they love, than another should enjoy what they would have, and hate themselves out of a displeasure in not having what they desire; so did he, and was impatient until he was shipped and gone; who steered his course towards the Kingdom of Riches, as believing she was sailed towards her own country, for resolved he was to find her out, or to end his days in the search, his life being a burden without her company.

Thus love sailing in the ship of imagination, on the ocean of the mind, tossed on the troubled waves of discontented thoughts, whilst his body sailed in the ship on the ocean of the sea, cutting the salt waves, they were set on by pirates, and were taken prisoners, so that he was doubly captivated, his soul before, and now his body; at first, they used him but roughly, according to their barbarous natures; but by degrees, his noble disposition and affable behaviour got different
¹³
entertainment.

It chanced some time after, in the sharing of those prizes they got with him, and some others they had got before, they fell out, and from rude words they fell to ruder blows. The Prince apprehending the danger that might befall to himself, strove to pacify them, giving them such reasons in elegant words, that it charmed their ears, and softened their hearts, and ended the strife amongst them, and begot from them such love and respect, that they made him their arbitrator, and divider of the spoils; which he performed with that justice and discretion to each one, that they made him their governor and chief ruler over them; which power he used with that clemency and wisdom, that he was esteemed rather as their god than their captain, giving him all ceremonious obedience. And thus reigning in his watery kingdom with his three-forked trident, we leave him for a time, and visit the old man and adopted son,
who now began to grow weary of their divine honours, and like wise men that seek a retired and secured life from the pomp of dangerous glories, bethought themselves how they might get away, and return into their own countries again; for an humble and mean cottage is better beloved by the owner, than the bravest and stateliest palace, if it be another’s. Thus putting their designs in execution, they invited the King and people to a solemn meeting in the temple, where Travellia, standing in his usual place, thus spake.

The gods, said he, hath caused me to return from whence we came; and to you great King their command is, to love your people and to distribute justice amongst them, guarding the innocent, punishing the offender, and not to use any cruel ceremony to destroy your own kind, but to instruct them in the right, and to lead them into the ways of truth, as being their high priest amongst them; also to make no wars against your neighbouring kingdoms, but as a defence and guard to your own, for in peace, lives happiness, when wars bring ruin and destruction; and in doing this tranquility shall be as a bed of ease for life to sleep on, and length of days as a chariot for life to ride in to Heaven; where your soul shall dwell in the height of bliss: and in this world, fame shall crown your deeds; and your posterity shall glory in your name.

And to you beloved people, the gods command piety in your devotion; obedience to your King; love to your neighbour; mercy to your enemies; constancy to your friends; liberty to your slaves; care and industry to your children; duty to your parents; and in doing this, plenty shall flow in amongst you; mirth shall dance about you; pleasures shall invite you; delight shall entertain you; peace shall keep you safe, till the gods calls you to partake of the glories of Heaven; and my prayer shall always be; that Jove may preserve you all.

Then going off from the place where he stood, they went to the King, to take their leaves, whereat the King and people wept, and wished, the gods had given them leave to dwell amongst them; but since they could not have their desire therein, they travelled to the river-side in attendance on diem, offering them great riches to carry with diem, but they desired,
nor took they anymore with them, than they thought would defray their charges, in a time of necessity; neither did they build a new ship to sail in, but went in the same boat they came, which had been kept as a relic safe; for the old man considered with himself, that a bigger vessel would be more dangerous without men, to serve therein than the small boat, which they could manage themselves[.] And so with great sorrow of either side, the one to lose their angels, as they thought them to be; the others for the dangers they were to run through
¹⁴
[,] and thus [they] parted, putting forth their boat from the shore, but the old man who was very skilful at sea, observing what angle they came in, returned the same way, where after six days they were upon the main sea[.] The winds being fair, and the waters smooth, the boat went as swift as an arrow out of a Parthian’s bow,
¹⁵
and as even as if it meant to hit a mark, but if by a fresh gale the waves did chance to rise, the boat would as nimbly skip each ridge, as a young kid over a green hillock, being as light as Mercury’s winged heels; whereat joy filled their hearts with hopes, as winds filled their sails; but various fortune causing several changes in the world, did raise such storms of fears, as drowned all their joys; for a ship freighted with pirates, like a great whale seized on them; pirates letting nothing escape which they can get to make advantage on, so ravenous is their covetous appetite[.] But finding not such a prize as they did expect: but such as rather might prove a burden, [they] consulted to put the old man into the boat again, and to keep only the young youth, [who] being very handsome, they might sell him for a slave, and get a sum of money: but when the old man was to depart, Travellia clasped about him so close, as his tears and the tears of the old man mixed and joined, and flowed as waters through a channel swelled with several brooks; but when he was forced to leave his hold down on his knees he fell, begging he might go or keep his father there[:] said he, pity my father’s age; cast him not out alone to sail on the wide and dangerous sea; for though my help is weak, yet I am a stay and staff for his decayed life to lean upon, and I hope the gods have destined me to that end, but if no pity can move your hearts for him, O let it try for me:

Cut me not from the root, though old and dry;

For then poor branch I wither, and shall die.

Nay, said he, I will the when I can no longer help him, for death is in my power, though life is not, but the Prince, who was their commander, hearing a noise, came on the deck, who no sooner saw him, but was struck with compassion, raised by a resemblance of his mistress appearing in the face of the youth; and going to him, bid him dry his eyes, and cease his sorrow, for they both should live together, so long as he could keep them.

Heaven bless you, said he, and may you never part from that you most do love, but when Travellia’s tears were stopped, and sight got a passage through his eyes again, and looking up to view that man, from whom his obligation came, no sooner saw his face, but terror struck his heart, and trembling seized her limbs, as if she had seen some hideous and prodigious things.
¹⁶
The Prince observing her in that agony, asking him, as supposing her a boy, what made him shake and tremble so, in quivering words she answered, fear as before had shrunk his sinews short; so now joy had extended them too far[.] The Prince then stroking his head, promised they should be used both well, and so returned into his cabin. Thus travelling on the sea, as on a great champaign, the ship like a horse went several paces, according as the waves did rise and fall.

But at last this ship became like a horse diseased with spavens,
¹⁷
which broke out, or springing a leak, which they stopped as well as they could for the time, but doubting it could not long hold out; [they] grew very sad, some weeping, some praying, some murmuring, some raving, according as their fear[s] and hopes were: but the Prince who was valiant by nature, expected death with as much patience, as they with fear did apprehend, neither was he struck with terror, but yielded to the fates, and was willing to die; but in the midst of their afflictions [they] at last espied an island; at which sight they all shouted for joy.

Thus in the life of man, many several accidents passeth about, and it chances many times, out of the midst of grief and sorrow,
rises up objects of comfort; so was it here, and setting up all their sails, made haste to it, but before they could come close to it, although they were not far from it, the leak broke out again, likewise their fears, for the ship grew so sick, it could swim no farther, but like a lingering disease perished, by little and little, which perceiving, they hoist out of their boat, where the Prince gave order that those which were most afraid, should go first. He himself was the last that went therein, though the boat did go and unload, and return many times, insomuch that not only all the passengers were saved, but all their goods, which no sooner were out, but the ship sunk; thus died with an incurable dropsy; but in these dangers the Prince forgot not Travellia; for why, the prince was more fond of him than Travellia was of himself; for her fears of being known gave her no rest[.] But being all safely arrived in the island, they began to consider what to do; the Prince counselled them to choose out some of the company, and to leave them thereabouts to build up huts, to lay their goods in; and also to cut down some trees, there being great store of wood, choosing that which was most proper and fit to build a new ship, whilst the rest of the company went to seek food, and to discover the place.

This being agreed upon, they divided themselves, and those that travelled up into the island, found it very small, as being not above thirty miles long, and twenty broad, unpeopled; but great store of fish and fowl; few beasts, but those that were, were of a gende kind; fine meadows full of herbs and sweet flowers, refreshing and shady woods, wherein ran clear springs and bubbling brooks[.] Thus though it was little, it was very pleasant, the greatest inconveniences they found there, was want of houses; for they found the ground somewhat damp with dews, which being an island [it] was subject unto, but the air was serene and clear: the climate a little more than temperately hot, but the time that the ship was a-building, the Prince had a little house, or rather like an arbour, built in the midst of the island, to lodge in, and the rest made little huts for themselves, and several recreations they found to pass away the time[.] But being in that solitary place, the Prince, who was melancholy for
the loss of his mistress, grew full of thoughts, and having her picture in his mind drawn to the life, comparing it to Travellia’s face, which he often looked upon, began to reason with himself why that might not be she, considering her private escape, and the little acquaintance she had in that country, and seeming of a better breeding than a shipmaster’s son could have, it did almost confirm his hopes; but discoursing one day with the old man of several accidents, telling their misfortunes and good hap of both sides, and being both of one country, the old man thinking no harm, discovered by his talking, that Travellia was none of his son, begotten from his loins, but adopted through compassion and affection, and then telling the story how he came into his ship unknown, or without his leave, by which circumstance of time, place, and manner found that it was she, wherewith [at] the joy thereof he could scarce conceal his passion, but dissembled his knowledge, as well as he could, for the present, yet after that time sought an occasion to get her alone, where he for his exercises and pastimes did usually go a-birding, and did command Travellia to carry his bags of shot after him, who loved the service, though she feared the lord, and when they were gone some distance from the rest of the company, and being in a shady wood, the Prince fained himself weary, where setting down to rest, and commanding him to do the like, at last discovered to him how he came to know her[.] She finding herself discovered turned as pale as death, and in that passion of fear prayed him to kill her, or otherwise she should find a way to do it herself.