Season 4 Podcast 182 Edmund Spenser’s The Faerie Queen, Book I, Canto 10 Pt V Episode 32 “The Celestial City.”

Season 4 Podcast 182 Edmund Spenser’s The Faerie Queen, Book I, Canto 10 Pt V Episode 32 “The Celestial City.” In last week’s episode the Redcross Knight met the greatest of the seven Beadsmen, Humility who welcomed the guests. Humility led the Knight to Charity who instructs the Redcross Knight in almes and charity and how to frame his life in righteousness. Led by Mercy, the Redcross Knight then climbs a steep hill. Exhausted, Mercy had to help the Redcross Knight climb the mountain. On the top they meet blind Contemplation who teaches the Knight the way to heaven. However, Contemplation admits that it is mercy that sends the prayers of the righteous to God and ask God for clemency. Contemplation reminds the Knight that on the straight and narrow path to heaven they will meet long labors and sad delays; therefore, he must endure a season of fasting and prayer until his spirit is cleansed from all sin and his strength returns. Contemplation leads the Redcross Knight up an even higher mountain. Contemplation tries to elevate the thoughts of the Redcross Knight by introducing him not only to holy scriptures but also to the best of great books. He shows the Knight a small path in the distance that led to the New Jerusalem, the celestial city. He describes the walls of the city where inside he will have peace and happiness.  As he thereon stood gazing, he might seeThe blessed Angels to and fro descendFrom highest heaven in gladsome companee,And with great joy into that Citie wend, As commonly as friend does with his frend.Whereat he wondred much, and gan enquere,What stately building durst so high extendHer loftie towres unto the starry sphere,And what unknowen nation there empeopled were.Contemplation tells the Knight that it is the New Jerusalem built by God for those who have purged themselves from all sin with the precious blood of Christ. He reminds the Knight that Jesus shed his blood on the cross to cleanse all who come to him and repent of their sins.3 LINDAFaire knight (quoth he) Hierusalem that is,The new Hierusalem, that God has builtFor those to dwell in, that are chosen his,His chosen people purg'd from sinfull guiltWith pretious blood, which cruelly was spilt On cursed tree, of that unspotted lam,That for the sinnes of al the world was kilt:Now are they Saints all in that Citie sam,More dear unto their God then younglings to their dam.The Redcross Knight, stunned by the Celestial City, exclaims that before he thought Cleopolis  was the greatest city on earth and that Panthea was the brightest thing there was. Those of course symbolize the architecture of man which can have no comparison to the architecture of God. For him London would be Cleopolis and Westminister Abby Panthea.  One may just imagine other knights using the greatest architecture or cathedrals of their own country. The point is that nothing on earth compares to the New Jerusalem.Till now, said then the knight, I weened well, That great Cleopolis, where I have beene,In which that fairest Faerie Queene doth dwell,The fairest citie was that might be seene;And that bright towre all built of christall cleene,Panthea, seemd the brightest thing that was: But now by proofe all otherwise I weene;For this great Citie that does far surpas,And this bright Angels towre quite dims that towre of glas.Contemplation tells the Redcross Knight that becoming for noble Knights to seek to be included in the books of immortal fame, that they may be eternized or made famous forever in the annals of history in doing service to their queen. Serving their queen who is heavenly born will also receive heaven’s rewards.