e name of the Castle of Perfect Beauty. This
castle the queen was summoned to surrender in a very courtly message
delivered by a boy dressed in red and white, the colours of Desire. On
her refusal, a mount placed on wheels was rolled into the tilt-yard, and
the four cavaliers rode in superbly armed and accoutred, and each at the
head of a splendid troop; and when they had passed in military order
before the queen, the boy who had delivered the former message thus
again addressed her:--

"If the message lately delivered unto you had been believed and
followed, O queen! in whom the whole story of virtue is written with the
language of beauty; nothing should this violence have needed in your
inviolate presence. Your eyes, which till now have been wont to discern
only the bowed knees of kneeling hearts, and, inwardly turned, found
always the heavenly peace of a sweet mind, should not now have their
fair beams reflected with the shining of armour, should not now be
driven to see the fury of desire, nor the fiery force of fury. But sith
so it is (alas that it is so!) that in the defence of obstinate refusal
there never groweth victory but by compassion, they are come:--what need
I say more? You see them, ready in heart as you know, and able with
hands, as they hope, not only to assailing, but to prevailing.
Perchance you despise the smallness of number. I say unto you, the force
of Desire goeth not by fulness of company. Nay, rather view with what
irresistible determination themselves approach, and how not only the
heavens send their invisible instruments to aid them, (_music within the
mount_) but also the very earth, the dullest of all the elements, which
with natural heaviness still strives to the sleepy centre, yet, for
advancing this enterprise, is content actively (as you shall see) to
move itself upon itself to rise up in height, that it may the better
command the high and high-minded fortresses.

"(_Here the mount rose up in height._) Many words, when deeds are in the
field, are tedious both unto the speaker and hearer. You see their
forces, but know not their fortunes: if you be resolved, it boots not,
and threats dread not. I have discharged my charge, which was even when
all things were ready for the assault, then to offer parley, a thing not
so much used as gracious in besiegers. You shall now be summoned to
yield, which if it be rejected, then look for the affectionate alarm to
be followed with desirous assault.