^[1]

This island lived in peace full many a day, 
So long as she unto the gods did pray. 
But she grew proud with plenty and with ease, 
Adored herself, and^[2] did the gods displease. 
She flung their altars down, her own set up^[3],                          5 
And she alone would have divine worship^[4].
The gods grew angry, and commanded Fate 
To alter and to ruin quite the state. 
For they had changed their mind of late, they said, 
And did repent unthankful man th’had made.                         10 
Fates wondered much to hear what said the gods, 
That they and mortal men^[5] were at great odds, 
And found them apt to change, thought it did show^[6]
As if the gods did not poor men foreknow^[7].
“For why,” said they, “if men do evil grow,                                15 
The gods, foreseeing all, men’s hearts did^[8] know 
Long, long before they did man first create^[9];
If so, what need they change or alter fate? 
’Twas in their pow’r^[10] to make them good or ill; 
Wherefore^[11], men cannot do just what they will.                    20 
Then why do gods complain against them so, 
Since men are made by them such ways to go? 
If evil power hath gods to oppose, 
Two^[12] equal deities it plainly shows; 
The one pow’r cannot keep obedience long^[13],                          25 
If disobedient power^[14] be as strong. 
And^[15], being ignorant how men will prove, 
Know not^[16] how strong or long will last their love.”^[17]
But may’t not be the course of gods’ decree^[18]
To love obedience whensoe’er it be^[19]?                                       30 
They from the first a changing power create^[20],
And for that work make^[21] destiny and fate^[22].
It is the mind of man^[23] that’s apt to range; 
The minds of gods are not subject to change^[24].
Then did the Fates unto the planets go,                                      35 
And told them they malignity must throw 
Into this island, for the gods would^[25] take 
Revenge on them who did^[26] their laws forsake. 
With that, the planets drew, like^[27] with a screw, 
Bad vapors from the Earth, and then did view^[28]                      40 
What place to squeeze that poison, in^[29] which all 
The venom was, that’s got from the world’s ball^[30],
Which^[31] through men’s veins, like molten lead, it came, 
And did like oil their spirits all inflame^[32],
Where malice boiled with rancor, spleen, and spite.               45 
In war and fraud, injustice took delight, 
Thinking which way their lusts they might fulfill^[33],
Committed thefts, rapes, murthers at their will^[34];
Parents and children did unnat’ral grow^[35],
And every friend was turned a cruel foe^[36];                               50 
Nay^[37], innocency no protection had; 
Religious men were thought to be stark mad; 
In witches, wizards they did^[38] put their trust; 
Extortions, bribes were thought to be most just; 
Like Titans’ race, all in a tumult rose^[39],                                      55 
Blasphemous words against high Heaven throws^[40].
The gods^[41] in rage unbound^[42] the winds to^[43] blow 
In foreign nations^[44], formerly their foe. 
Where they did plant themselves, no Britons live^[45],
For why the gods their lives and land them give^[46].                   60 
Compassion wept, and Virtue wrung her hands 
To see that right was banished from their lands. 
Thus winds and seas, the planets, fates, and all 
Conspired to work her ruin and her fall. 
But those that keep the laws of God on high                              65 
Shall live in peace, in graves shall quiet lie^[47].
And ever after like the gods shall be, 
Enjoy all pleasure, know no misery 

Source:

“The Ruin of this Island” edited by Liza Blake from Margaret Cavendish’s Poems and Fancies licensed by CC BY-NC