Category: PART II

Peace War makes the vulgar multitude to drink In at the ear the foul, the muddy sink Of factious tales, by which they dizzy grow, That the clear sight of truth they do not know, But[note]But] And 1653 [/note] reeling stand, know not what way to take,                 5 And[note]And] But 1653 [/note] when they choose,…

[note]A marginal note in Cavendish’s 1664 and 1668 texts reads, “Bolsover Castle.” This note does not appear in 1653. The “Knight” in question is Sir Charles Cavendish, Margaret Cavendish’s brother-in-law, and the dedicatee of this volume. According to Whitaker, the meeting described in this poem happened when Charles visited the castle in 1652, when he…

Patience Anger, why are you hot[note]hot] so hot, 1653 [/note] and fiery red? Or else so pale, as if you were quite dead? Your spirits are disturbed; you senses lack,[note]Your spirits are disturbed; you senses lack,] Joynts seem unset, Flesh shakes, the Nerves grow Slack, 1653 [/note] Your joints unset, flesh shakes; your nerves grow…

Riches I, Wealth, can make all men of each degree To crouch and flatter, and to follow me. I many cities build, high, thick, and large, And armies raise, against each other charge. I make them lose[note]lose] loose 1653 [/note] their lives for my dear sake,                  5 Though when they’re dead they no rewards can…

Learning Thou busy forester, that seek’st about[note]seek’st about] searchest ’bout 1653 [/note] The world, to find the heart of Learning out, Or, Perseus-like, foul monsters thou dost kill, Rude Ignorance, which nothing dost but[note]nothing dost but] alwaies doeth 1653 [/note] ill. Ignorance O thou proud[note]O thou proud] Proud 1664, 1668 [/note] Learning, that stand’st[note]that stand’st]…

Both Love and Hate fell in a great dispute, And hard it was each other to confute, Which did most good, or evil most did[note]evil most did] did most Evil 1664; did most Evil 1668 [/note] shun. At last with frowning brows Hate thus[note]At last with frowning brows Hate thus] Then Hate with frowning Browes…

Wit Mixed rose and lily, why are you so proud, Since fair is not in all minds like[note]like] best 1653 [/note] allowed? Some do like[note]do like] like the 1653 [/note] black, some[note]some] the 1653 [/note] brown, and some like[note]and some like] as well as 1653 [/note] white; In all complexions some eyes[note]In all complexions some…

Joy Give me some music, that my spirits may Dance a free[note]free] fair 1664, 1668 [/note] galliard whilst delight doth play. Let every voice sing out, both loud and shrill, And every tongue to run[note]to run] run too, 1664, 1668 [/note] what way it will. For Fear is gone away with her pale face,              …

As I sat[note]sat] was 1664, 1668 [/note] musing by myself alone, My thoughts brought[note]brought] on 1653 [/note] several things to[note]to] did 1653 [/note] work upon. Some did large houses build, and stately towers, And some made[note]And some made] Making 1653 [/note] orchards, gardens, and fine bowers; Some did[note]Some did] And some 1653 [/note] in arts…

[note]of Birds] betwixt Birds. 1664, 1668 [/note] As I abroad in fields and woods did walk, I heard the birds of several things to[note]to] did 1653, 1664 [/note] talk, And on the boughs would gossip, prate, and chat, And every one discourse of this and that. “I,” said the Lark, “before the sun do rise,                   …