Margaret Cavendish 
The Blazing World 

“The Blazing World”, is a Description of a New World, Called The Blazing-World, better known as The Blazing World, is a 1666 work of prose fiction by English writer Margaret Cavendish, the Duchess of Newcastle. It has been described as an early fore-runner of science fiction. 
 
Here on this Figure Cast a Glance. 
But so as if it were by Chance,  
Your eyes not fixt, they must not Stay,  
Since this like Shadowes to the Day 
It only represent’s; for Still,  
Her Beauty’s found beyond the Skill 
Of the best Paynter, to Imbrace 
These lovely Lines within her face. 
View her Soul’s Picture, Judgment, witt,  
Then read those Lines which Shee hath writt,  
By Phancy’s Pencill drawne alone 
Which Peces but Shee, can justly owne. 
 
To The Duchesse of Newcastle,  
On Her New Blazing-World. 
 
Our Elder World, with all their Skill and Arts,  
Could but divide the World into three Parts: 
Columbus, then for Navigation fam’d,  
Found a new World, America ‘tis nam’d; 
Now this new World was found, it was not made,  
Onely discovered, lying in Time’s shade. 
Then what are You, having no Chaos found 
To make a World, or any such least ground? 
But your Creating Fancy, thought it fit 
To make your World of Nothing, but pure Wit. 
Your Blazing-World, beyond the Stars mounts higher,  
Enlightens all with a Cœlestial Fier. 
 
William Newcastle.