Book 7, Canto 7 Summary

The trial of Mutability begins with the goddess detailing her control over earth, water, air, and fire. She goes on to explain her control over the seasons, time, and eventually life and death. She demands that Nature accede to her demand to rule, since she already has dominion over everything in the natural world in all but name. Nature responds by explaining that Change doesn't quite control things the way that Mutability thinks. In fact, Change is really only aiding all things to become closer to perfection while never altering the basic nature of their reality. Nature suggests that there will be a time when no Change will occur, presumably in the afterlife.

Book 7, Canto 7 Analysis

In a world that is ever changing, Spenser seeks to justify a force that seems to blindly dominate all aspects of life and even death...