# X: Hempie's Song explained — Lud-in-the-Mist

> Chapter companion for Lud-in-the-Mist by Hope Mirrlees.

## What happens

Master Nathaniel, overwhelmed by despair, wanders in the Fields of Grammary and finds no comfort in the silent things or epitaphs. He returns home to find Dame Marigold dejected and they have a tense, painful exchange where he lashes out, suggesting she needs fairy fruit. Ashamed, he visits his old nurse Hempie, who offers a radically different perspective on the fairy fruit affair—arguing for neighborliness, a healthy stomach, and acceptance of life's sadness. Her wisdom and a song she sings finally soothe him, and he hears the Note again, this time as a peaceful sound.

## Themes in this chapter

### Reality vs. Delusion

Nathaniel's despair and Marigold's disgust contrast with Hempie's grounded, accepting view of life and the fairy fruit.

### The Poetry of Everyday Life

Hempie's wisdom about the sun, stars, and Time, and her song, bring a quiet, poetic comfort to Nathaniel.

### Fear of the Unknown

The town's fear of fairies and fairy fruit is challenged by Hempie's neighborly and unafraid attitude.

## Character check-ins

### Master Nathaniel Chanticleer

Wracked by despair and guilt, he visits Hempie and finds comfort in her wisdom and song.

### Dame Marigold Chanticleer

Found dejected at home, she reacts to the calamity with physical disgust and petulance, leading to a bitter argument with Nathaniel.

### Hempie

Nathaniel's old nurse, who offers a pragmatic and comforting view on the fairy fruit and life's sorrows, and sings the old song 'Columbine.'

### Ranulph Chanticleer

Mentioned as Hempie's 'boy' who is reportedly bonny at the farm, and his description of agony is recalled by Nathaniel.

### Miss Primrose Crabapple

Mentioned by Dame Marigold in a bitter remark about wishing she had gone off with the fairies.

### Duke Aubrey

Referenced in Hempie's song and in the tradition that the Chanticleer chapel was originally one of his pleasure-houses.

## Key lines

> I’ll weave her a wreath of the flowers of grief / That her beauty may show the brighter.

I will adorn her with tokens of sorrow so that her loveliness appears even more radiant.

_An old Dorimare song that comes into Nathaniel's head as he watches Marigold._

> There’s no clock like the sun and no calendar like the stars.

The sun and stars are the truest measures of time.

_Hempie's country wisdom, emphasizing a natural, unhurried view of life._

> When Aubrey did live there lived no poor. / The lord and the beggar on roots did dine / With lily, germander, and sops in wine. / With sweetbrier, / And bonfire, / And strawberry-wire, / And columbine.

In Duke Aubrey's time, there was no poverty; everyone shared simple fare and flowers.

_The old song Hempie sings, which brings Nathaniel peace and the sound of the Note._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/lud_in_the_mist_se/chapters/x-hempie-s-song
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/lud_in_the_mist_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/lud_in_the_mist_se/chapters