LXXXVI explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Death and Immortality

  Death is personified as a servant of the divine, arriving at the poet's door to bring a call from the divine, and the poet prepares to welcome him with worship and offerings.

• Surrender and Egolessness

  The poet surrenders to Death's arrival, opening his gates and bowing in welcome, offering the treasure of his heart and ultimately his forlorn self as an offering to the divine.

Characters to notice

• The Poet

  The poet receives Death at his door, prepares to welcome him with worship and offerings, and reflects on his own desolate state after Death's departure.

• The Divine

  The divine sends Death as a servant to the poet's home, calling the poet to a final offering.

Key passages

• “Death, thy servant, is at my door. He has crossed the unknown sea and brought thy call to my home.”

  Death, who serves you, has arrived at my doorstep. He has traveled across the mysterious ocean and delivered your summons to my house.

  The poet announces Death's arrival as a divine messenger.

• “The night is dark and my heart is fearful⁠—yet I will take up the lamp, open my gates and bow to him my welcome.”

  Although the night is dark and I am afraid, I will still light my lamp, open my doors, and respectfully greet him.

  The poet overcomes fear to welcome Death.

• “I will worship him placing at his feet the treasure of my heart.”

  I will honor him by laying the most precious things from my heart at his feet.

  The poet offers his deepest treasures to Death.

• “He will go back with his errand done, leaving a dark shadow on my morning; and in my desolate home only my forlorn self will remain as my last offering to thee.”

  He will return after completing his task, casting a dark shadow over my dawn; and in my empty house, only my lonely self will be left as my final gift to you.

  The poet reflects on the aftermath of Death's visit, offering his solitary self to the divine.