Author: liza.blake
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Of the Working of Several Motions of Nature (from Phil. Fancies and Phil. Phys. Op.)
Motions do work according as they find[note] “Of the Working of Several Motions of Nature” was first included in Cavendish’s 1653 Philosophical Fancies, the first iteration of her natural philosophical treatise, which would later undergo three major revisions in 1655, 1663, and 1668, respectively. The first revision of her 1653 treatise, the 1655 Philosophical and…
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A Description of the Passion of Love Misplaced (from Nature’s Picture(s))
A lady on the ground a-mourning lay[note]This poem is taken from Margaret Cavendish’s Natures Pictures, drawn by fancies pencil to the life (London, 1656), reprinted with textual changes as Natures Picture (London, 1671). The first part of Nature’s Pictures (a section entitled “Her Excellencies Tales in Verse” in 1656 and “Several Feigned Stories in Verse”…
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The Surprisal of Death (from Nature’s Picture(s))
The next,[note]This poem is taken from Margaret Cavendish’s Natures Pictures, drawn by fancies pencil to the life (London, 1656), reprinted with textual changes as Natures Picture (London, 1671). The first part of Nature’s Pictures (a section entitled “Her Excellencies Tales in Verse” in 1656 and “Several Feigned Stories in Verse” in 1671) is made up…
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The Description of the Violence of Love (from Nature’s Picture(s))
O, said a man,[note] This poem is taken from Margaret Cavendish’s Natures Pictures, drawn by fancies pencil to the life (London, 1656), reprinted with textual changes as Natures Picture (London, 1671). The first part of Nature’s Pictures (a section entitled “Her Excellencies Tales in Verse” in 1656 and “Several Feigned Stories in Verse” in 1671)…
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Untitled [Great God, from Thee all infinites do flow] (from Phil. Fancies and Phil. Phys. Op.)
Great God, from Thee all infinites do flow,[note]This untitled poem first appears at the end of Margaret Cavendish’s hybrid prose and poetic natural philosophical treatise Philosophical Fancies (London, 1653) and was reprinted, with edits, in her later revisions of that treatise, Philosophical and Physical Opinions (PPO) (London, 1655 and 1663). This edition is by Liza…
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Of Sense and Reason Exercised in their Different Shapes (from Philosophical Fancies)
If everything hath sense and reason, then There might be beasts, and birds, and fish, and men As vegetables and minerals, had they The animal shape to express that way; And vegetables and minerals may know 5 As man, though like to trees and stones they grow.[note] This poem is taken from…
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An Excuse for Writing So Much upon my Verses
Condemn[note]This title is a composite. In 1653 the title reads “An Excuse for So Much Writ upon my Verses”; in 1664 and 1668 it reads, “An Apology for Writing So Much upon This Book”.[/note] me not for making such a coil[note]for making such a coil] I make so much ado 1664, 1668[/note] About my[note]my] this…
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The Poetress’s Petition
Like to a fever’s pulse my heart doth beat, For fear my book some great repulse should meet. If it be naught, let her[note]her] it 1664; it 1668[/note] in silence lie; Disturb her[note]her] it 1664; it 1668[/note] not; let her[note]her] it 1664; it 1668[/note] in quiet die. Let not the bells of your dispraise ring…
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The Poetress’s Hasty Resolution
Reading my verses, I liked them so well Self-love did make my judgment to rebel. And thinking them so good, thought more to make,[note]And thinking them so good, thought more to make,] Thinking them so good, I thought more to write; 1653[/note] Considering not how others would them take.[note]take.] like. 1653[/note] I writ so fast,…
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To the Reader
Reader, If any do read this book of mine, pray be not too severe in your censures. For first, I have no children to employ my care and attendance on, and[note]and] Next, 1664, 1668[/note] my lord’s estate being taken away in those times when I writ this book, I[note]away in those times when I writ…