The artist uses a relatively insignificant incident in the romance as an opportunity here to give full, magical play to the light and color over the landscape. The dark blue of the night sky is yielding to the radiance of the sun rising just behind the dark green trees on the hilly horizon fast brightening along its entire length. Only the declivity at left and center still lies in the shadow, but the sun's rays already outline the tree trunks of the firs from beneath which Desire has emerged, lighting up his face and clothing as well. The horses cast no shadows as yet, standing below the light, but the trees at right, in the sun, do. A cluster of white, conical tents in the right background also catches the morning sun at that brief moment when the colors begin to awaken from their night's slumber.

Desire has been riding all night to seek help for Cueur. Where the road turns out of the woods he encounters Love's messenger, Modest Plea ( Humble Requeste ), identified by the three iron-pointed and silver-feathered arrows on a blue shield supported by two angels, which form the heraldic device of the God of Love. Desire and Modest Plea are old acquaintances from Love's court. " Well met! " Desire cries out joyfully. " Sweet friend, what good wind has blown you my way, and whose tents are those beside the stream? "

" It is my Lord Amour who has sent me to bring his friends here, gathered together to fight against the enemies of Love under the leadership of Honor ( Honneur ). These enemies are badmouth ( Malle-Bouche ) and Evil Gossips ( Les Medisants ), at whose orders the villains Denial, Shame, and Fear took the Lady Sweet Grace captive," replies Modest Plea. Hearing this, Desire can hope that the fighting forces of the God of Love will also liberate Cueur. ...
. .....Continued... [ Next folio No.33 ]

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