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After this Discourse they had many other Conferences,
which for brevities sake I'le forbear to rehearse.
At last, after several questions which the Emperess'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 then imitate
others, I should chuse to be imitated by others;
for my nature is such, that I had rather appear worse
in singularity, then better in the Mode. If you were
not a great Lady, replied the Emperess, 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 then 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 divulged: Wherefore happy are those
Natures that are Honest, Virtuous and Noble, not
onely happy to themselves, but happy to their Families.
But, said the Emperess, 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 onely to
shew her Wit, not her Nature.
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| And if any should like the world I have made,
and be willing to be my subjects, they may imagine themselves such, and they are such—I mean
in their minds, fancies or imaginations. But if they cannot endure to be subjects, they may
create worlds of their own and govern themselves as they please.
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| © 2025 by Sarah Reitmeier, except text from The Description of a New World, Called the Blazing World, published 1666 by Margaret Cavendish, Duchess of Newcastle.
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