# V: The Funeral Pyre explained — Conan Stories

> Chapter companion for Conan Stories by Robert E. Howard.

## What happens

Conan sends Bêlit's body out to sea on a burning ship, the Tigress, as a funeral pyre. He reflects on the loss of the queen who gave the sea its splendor and now must face a desolate world without her, turning his gaze toward the mysterious wilds inland.

## Themes in this chapter

### Love and Sacrifice

Conan honors Bêlit with a ceremonial pyre, sacrificing her to the sea as an act of love and final tribute.

### Survival and Individualism

Conan stands alone, facing a desolate world and the unknown wilds, embodying the solitary survivor.

## Character check-ins

### Conan

Leans on his sword, watching the Tigress burn; mourns Bêlit and feels the sea has lost its glory.

### Bêlit

Lies on the funeral pyre aboard the Tigress, returned to the sea she belonged to.

## Key lines

> Now we are done with roaming, evermore; No more the oars, the windy harp’s refrain; Nor crimson pennon frights the dusky shore; Blue girdle of the world, receive again Her whom thou gavest me.

Our journeys are over; no more rowing or music, no more terror from our red flag. Ocean, take back the woman you gave me.

_The Song of Bêlit expresses Conan's final farewell and the end of their adventures together._

> She belonged to the sea; to its everlasting mystery he returned her. He could do no more.

Bêlit was part of the sea, and Conan gave her back to its eternal enigma, having no other choice.

_Conan accepts that Bêlit's true home is the sea and that returning her is the only fitting end._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/conan_stories_se/chapters/v-the-funeral-pyre
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/conan_stories_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/conan_stories_se/chapters