Allan Quatermain · Chapter
XIV: The Flower Temple explained
After a restful sleep, Allan Quatermain and his companions awaken in the palace at Milosis.
What happens
After a restful sleep, Allan Quatermain and his companions awaken in the palace at Milosis. They are led through the city to the Temple of the Sun, where they face a trial before the High Priest Agon for the sacrilege of killing the sacred hippopotami. The sister queens Nyleptha and Sorais intervene to protect them, arguing for a fair hearing once the strangers can speak the language. Agon is forced to relent, and the party is escorted away by the royal guards.
Themes in this chapter
Power and Politics
The struggle between the queens and the High Priest Agon over the fate of the strangers highlights the political dynamics and limits of royal authority.
Religion and Superstition
The temple trial and the threat of sacrifice underscore the role of religious dogma and superstition in Zu-Vendi society.
Civilization vs. Wilderness
The contrast between the advanced, opulent city of Milosis and the 'savage' act of sacrificing strangers reflects the tension between civilized ideals and brutal practices.
Characters to notice
- Allan Quatermain
Narrator; wakes after a long sleep and observes the city and temple.
- Captain Good
Awake and commenting on the queen's skin; present during the trial.
- Sir Henry Curtis
Present at the temple; receives whispered warning to step back from the brazen floor.
- Umslopogaas
Stands beside Quatermain at the temple; receives the warning to move back.
- Alphonse
Present with the group; also warned to step back.
- Nyleptha
Queen who speaks in defense of the strangers and signals them to move off the brazen floor.
- Sorais
Queen who rebukes Agon and the priests, threatening to cut a path with her guards.
- Agon
High Priest who attempts to have the strangers thrown into the fiery pit; forced to adjourn the matter.
Key passages
“Shame on ye! Shame on ye! What is hospitality? To receive the stranger and show him favour. To bind up his wounds, and find a pillow for his head and food for him to eat. But thy pillow is the fiery furnace, and thy food the hot savour of the flame.”
Sorais condemns the priests for their hypocrisy, arguing that true hospitality means caring for strangers, not burning them alive.
Sorais's rebuke of Agon and the priests, appealing to the crowd's sense of fairness.
“Bethink thee, Agon, as my sister Queen hath said, these men may also be servants of the Sun. For themselves they cannot speak, for their tongues are tied. Let the matter be adjourned till such time as they have learned our language. Who can be condemned without a hearing?”
Nyleptha suggests postponing judgment until the strangers can defend themselves in the local language.
Nyleptha's clever argument provides a loophole to save the party from immediate execution.
“I say, Quatermain, did you observe her skin? It is as smooth as the back of an ivory hairbrush.”
Good comments on the smoothness of the queen's skin upon waking.
Good's characteristic focus on appearance, even in a life-threatening situation.
