# Before the Statue explained — Allan Quatermain

> Chapter companion for Allan Quatermain by H. Rider Haggard.

## What happens

Nasta proposes marriage to Queen Nyleptha, supported by High Priest Agon, but she refuses, leading to veiled threats of rebellion. Weeks later, Sir Henry Curtis and Nyleptha secretly meet before the statue of Rademas, where they confess their love and swear devotion to each other, witnessed by Allan Quatermain and Umslopogaas.

## Themes in this chapter

### Love and Jealousy

The central romance between Curtis and Nyleptha unfolds, contrasted with Nasta's jealous and rejected suit.

### Power and Politics

Nasta's proposal and Agon's support highlight the political stakes of marriage, with Nyleptha's refusal risking civil war.

## Character check-ins

### Nasta

Proposes marriage to Nyleptha and threatens rebellion after being refused.

### Nyleptha

Refuses Nasta's proposal, then secretly meets Curtis and swears her love and loyalty to him.

### Agon

Supports Nasta's marriage proposal with a political speech.

### Sorais

Warns Nyleptha to consider the political consequences of her refusal.

### Sir Henry Curtis

Declares his love to Nyleptha before the statue, renouncing his past and people for her.

### Allan Quatermain

Witnesses the love scene between Curtis and Nyleptha, reflecting on the situation.

### Umslopogaas

Observes the lovers with amusement, commenting on their behavior.

## Key lines

> Nasta stepped forward and bowing humbly, though with no humility in his eye, craved a boon at the hands of the Queen Nyleptha.

Nasta approached and bowed respectfully, but his eyes showed no real humility, as he asked Queen Nyleptha for a favor.

_Nasta's proposal is introduced with a hint of his true intentions._

> Nyleptha turned a little pale, but bowed graciously, and prayed the 'well-beloved lord' to speak on

Nyleptha paled slightly but responded politely, inviting him to continue.

_Nyleptha's composed reaction masks her inner turmoil._

> Of a truth a great honour has been done to me, that my poor hand should not only have been asked in marriage, but that Agon here should be so swift to pronounce the blessing of the Sun upon my union.

It is indeed a great honor that my hand has been sought in marriage and that Agon has so quickly blessed the union.

_Nyleptha's sarcastic response to the political pressure._

> Thou hast awakened my soul and called it forth, and now, Nyleptha, it is not mine, not mine, but thine and thine only.

You have awakened my soul, and now it belongs only to you.

_Curtis's poetic declaration of love to Nyleptha._

> I put my hand upon thy hand thus, and thus I, whose lips have never kissed before, do kiss thee on the brow; and now by my hand, and by that first and holy kiss... I swear that for thee will I live and die.

I place my hand on yours and kiss your brow, swearing by this first kiss to live and die for you.

_Nyleptha's solemn vow of love and loyalty to Curtis._

> He wants a wife, and she wants a husband; then why does he not pay his cows down like a man and have done with it?

He wants a wife and she wants a husband, so why doesn't he just pay the bride price and be done with it?

_Umslopogaas's pragmatic and amused view of the romantic scene._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/allan_quatermain_se/chapters/xvi-before-the-statue
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/allan_quatermain_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/allan_quatermain_se/chapters