Book 7, Canto 6 Summary

The goddess Mutability (Change) has subdued much of the earth, having destroyed man's golden age, and is currently engaged in dethroning Cynthia (goddess of the Moon). The gods are not pleased by her behavior, and Mercury is dispatched to sort the mess out. Mutability defies Mercury, and his default, his master Jove, and is requested to appear before the gods.

She has her proverbial day in court, and Jove, instead of smiting her impertinence, is charmed by her beauty and allows her to continue. (Didn't Artegall make the same mistake and have to wear a dress as punishment?) Given free leave to speak, Mutability argues that she should be in charge of all the gods because she holds dominion over them all. Though she denounces him as a usurper, Jove tries to explain that fate has placed them in their hierarchy...