# XXIII: How Demetrios Cried Farewell explained — Domnei

> Chapter companion for Domnei by James Branch Cabell.

## What happens

Demetrios, dying from a battle wound inflicted by Perion, reveals to Melicent that he has lied about Perion's faithfulness and that Perion has never faltered in his love for her. He confesses his own envy and human love, and orders his son Orestes to escort Melicent to Perion's camp. Melicent, moved by compassion, grants him pardon and farewell, and experiences a profound sense of the world's beauty and the power of love.

## Themes in this chapter

### Self-Sacrifice and Redemption

Demetrios, facing death, seeks redemption by releasing Melicent to Perion and asking for compassion and pardon, acknowledging his own failures.

### The Nature of True Love

Contrasts Demetrios's human, possessive love with Perion's steadfast, divine love, and Melicent's unwavering faith in Perion.

### Honor and Moral Integrity

Demetrios's final act of releasing Melicent is described as 'chivalrous' and 'not unworthy of Perion,' highlighting a moral reckoning.

## Character check-ins

### Demetrios

Dying from a broken back sustained in battle with Perion, he confesses his lies and his human love for Melicent, ordering her release to Perion.

### Melicent

Grieves for Demetrios despite his past cruelty, grants him compassion and pardon, and feels a new comprehension of the world and love.

### Perion de la Forêt

Revealed to have been the Frankish captain who fatally wounded Demetrios, and to have remained faithful to Melicent throughout.

### Ahasuerus

Fetches Melicent to the Court of Stars at Demetrios's command.

### Orestes

Summoned by Demetrios to receive orders to escort Melicent to Perion's camp.

### Mélusine

Mentioned as the water-demon's daughter who attempted and failed to ensnare Perion.

## Key lines

> The love this man bears for you is sprung of the High God whom we diversely worship. The love I bear you is human, since I, too, am only human.

Demetrios contrasts Perion's divine love for Melicent with his own merely human love.

_Highlights the thematic distinction between ideal and earthly love._

> I cry farewell to all that I have loved, to all that I have injured; and so in chief to you, dear Melicent, I cry farewell, and of you in chief I crave compassion and pardon.

Demetrios bids farewell to everything he has loved and harmed, especially asking Melicent for forgiveness.

_Captures Demetrios's final plea for redemption._

> To Melicent the world seemed very lovely. Here was a world created by Eternal Love that people might serve love in it not all unworthily.

Melicent perceives the world as beautiful and created by eternal love, meant for serving love worthily.

_Reflects Melicent's renewed faith and understanding after Demetrios's confession._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/domnei_se/chapters/xxiii-how-demetrios-cried-farewell
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/domnei_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/domnei_se/chapters