5

The vision was expounded by Ave, something in the following manner:

East and West, North and South, stand fouur sumptuous and belligerent Castles, out of which sound Trumpets thrice. From every Castle, a Cloth, the sign of Majesty, is cast. In the East it is red, like new-smitten blood. In the South, lily-white. In the West, green, garlick-bladed like the skins of many dragons. In the North, hair-coloured, black like bilberry juice. Four trumpeters issue from the Castles, with trumpets pyramidal, of six cones, wreathed. Three Ensign bearers, with the names of God on their banners, follow them. Seniors, Kings, Princes as train bearers, Angels in four phalanxes like crosses, all in their order, march to the central Court, and range themselves about the ensigns.

The dazzling, shifting formation seems to proceed in a glorious pagenat of colour, and then to rest, frozen into a minutely exact phantasticon of harmony.

Now for the meaning of the allegory. The Castles are Watch towers provided against the Devil, the Watchman in each is a mighty angel. The ensigns publish the redemption of mankind. The Angels of the Aires, which come out of the Crosses, are to subvert whole countries, without armies, in this war waged against the Powers of Darkness.

Many weeks were taken up with tables of letters for the exposition of this vision, and with explaining the names of these games, angels, seniors, etc.

Kelly is again sometimes very much tempted to doubt the good faith of the angelic visitants, more especially as he sadly fears that good angels will not provide them with the needful money that the Prince requires for the success of his cause. One day, Dee wrote in his diary: "E.K. had the Megrom sore." Kelly read this, and "A great temptation fell on E.K., upon E.K. taking these words to be a scoff, which were words of compassion and friendship." After this Dee resorts more frequently to the use of his Greek characters.

The Dees were still living near the church of St. Stephen, where Kelly was a frequent visitor. Laski lodged with the Franciscans in their convent. The revelations were now of tables of letters again, intended, Dee things, that they may learn the names of angels and distinguish the bad from the good. (The bad angels' names are said to be all of three letters.) He hopes Ave is about to reveal the healing medicines; the property of fire; the knowledge, finding, and use of metals; the virtues of stones, and the understanding of arts mechanical. But Ave says it is the wicked spirits who give money coined, although there are good angels who can find metals, gather them and use them. Then Madimi appears, after a long absence, and addressing Dee as "my gentle brother," tells him that Ave is a good creature and they might have made more of him. She wants to know why they have not gone to the Emperor Rudolph. The old excuse of poverty is pleaded.

That evening, June 26, at seven o'clock, Dee sat in his study considering the day's action, when Kelly entered and asked if he understood it. He, it seems, had burst out again, had raged and abused Michael and Gabriel, called Ave a devil, made "horrible speeches." There had been a most terrible storm of thunder and rain, and Kelly always appeared sensitive to these electric disturbances. Now he is penitent once more, acknowledges his words were "not decent," and begs forgiveness of God and Dee. The talk lasted long, and several calls to supper were unheeded; then, just as they were leaving the room, Kelly felt something warm and heavy on his shoulder, and behold! it was Ave come to acknowledge his repentance. Dee hands him his Psalter book, and with three prayers devoutly said, all is smooth again, and they go down to supper.

Dee's patience and humility seemed unending. In conversing with the spirits he is always, as it were, face to face with God. His replies are made direct to the Majesty of the Divine. When Kelly is blamed he assumes equal blame.

Ave. - "Which of you have sought the Lord for the Lord his sake?"

D. - "That God can judge. We vaunt nothing of our doings, nor challenge anything by the perfection of our doings. We challenge nothing, Lord, upon any merits, but fly unto thy mercy, and that we crave and call for. Curiosity is far from our intents."