^[1]

There was an island, rich by Nature’s grace; 
In all the world it was the sweetest place, 
Surrounded with the seas, whose waves don’t miss^[2]
To do her homage, and her feet do kiss^[3].
Each wave did seem^[4] by turn to^[5] bow down low,                   5 
And proud to touch her as they overflow^[6].
Armies of waves in troops high tides brought^[7] on, 
Whose wat’ry arms did^[8] glister like^[9] the sun, 
And on their backs burthens of ships did^[10] bear, 
Placing them in her havens with great care^[11].                         10 
Not mercenary, for no pay they’d have^[12],
Yet^[13] as her guard did^[14] watch to keep her safe, 
And in a ring they circled^[15] her about, 
Strong as a wall, to keep her foes without^[16].
The winds did serve her, and on clouds did^[17] ride,                 15 
Blowing their trumpets loud on every side; 
Serving^[18] as scouts, they searched^[19] in every lane, 
And galloped^[20] in the forests^[21], fields, and plain. 
While she did please the gods, she did live safe^[22],
And they all kind of pleasures to her gave^[23].                            20 
For all this place was^[24] fertile, rich, and fair; 
Both woods and hills and dales in prospects were^[25].
Birds pleasure took^[26], and with delight did^[27] sing; 
In praises of this isle the woods did^[28] ring. 
Trees thrived with joy, for she their roots well fed^[29],            25 
And^[30], tall with pride, their tops did^[31] overspread, 
Danced^[32] with the winds when they did^[33] sing and blow, 
Played^[34] like a wanton kid, or a^[35] swift roe. 
Their several branches several birds did^[36] bear, 
Which hopped and skipped^[37], and always merry were^[38];       30 
Their leaves did^[39] wave, and, rushing, make a noise, 
And^[40] many ways strived to express^[41] their joys. 
All^[42] flowers there looked^[43] fresh and gay with mirth, 
Whilst they were^[44] danced upon the lap of Earth. 
Th’isle was their mother^[45], they her children sweet,               35 
Born from her loins, got by Apollo great, 
Who dressed and pruned them often with great care^[46],
And washed their leaves with dew to make them fair^[47],
Which being done^[48], he wiped^[49] those drops away 
With webs of heat^[50], which he weaves every day,                   40 
Paint^[51][52] them with several colors intermixed, 
Veiled^[53] them with shadows every leaf betwixt. 
Their heads he dress’d, their hairy leaves spread out^[54],
Wreathed round their crowns his golden beams about^[55],
For he this isle esteemed^[56] above the rest;                                45 
Of all his wives he had, he loved^[57] her best. 
Daily he did present her with some gift^[58]:
Twelve ells of light, to make her smocks^[59] for shift, 
Which, every time he came, he put^[60] on clean^[61],
And changèd oft, that she may lovely seem^[62].                         50 
And when he from her went^[63], the world to see, 
He left^[64] his sister^[65] for her^[66] company, 
Whose name is Cynthia^[67]—though pale, yet clear, 
Which makes her always in dark clouds appear. 
Besides, he left^[68] his stars to wait, for fear^[69]                             55 
His isle too sad should be^[70] when he’s not there, 
And from his bounty clothed^[71] them all with light, 
Which makes them twinkle in a frosty night. 
He never brought^[72] hot beams to do her harm, 
Nor let^[73] her take a cold, but lapped^[74] her warm;                    60 
He^[75] mantles rich of equal heat o’erspread^[76],
And covered^[77] her with color crimson red. 
He gave^[78] another o’er her head to lie— 
The colour is a pure bright azure sky— 
And with soft air did^[79] line them all within,                              65 
Like^[80] furs in winter, in summer satin thin. 
With silver clouds he fringèd^[81] them about, 
And^[82] spangled meteors glist’ring hung^[83] without. 
Thus gave her^[84] change, lest she^[85] should weary grow, 
Or think them old, and so away them throw.                           70 
Nature adorned^[86] this island all throughout 
With landscapes, riv’lets, prospects round about^[87];
There hills^[88] o’ertopped^[89] the dales, which level be^[90],
Covered^[91] with cattle feeding eagerly^[92].
Grass grew^[93] up even to the belly high,                                     75 
Where beasts that chew their cud lay pleasantly^[94],
Whisking their tails about, the flies to beat, 
Or else to cool them from the sultry heat. 
Nature, willing to th’gods her love^[95] to show, 
Sent plenty in, like Nile’s great overflow,                                  80 
And temperate seasons gave^[96], and equal lights: 
Warm^[97] sunshine days, and dewy moonshine nights. 
And in this pleasant island, peace did dwell; 
No noise of war or sad tale could it tell 

Source:

“Of an Island” edited by Liza Blake from Margaret Cavendish’s Poems and Fancies licensed by CC BY-NC