Canto XII: Death explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Sacrifice and Tragic Love

  Mirèio's death is the culmination of her sacrificial journey; Vincen's grief and wish to be buried with her underscore the tragic love.

• Folk Tradition and Religious Piety

  The chapter is steeped in folk piety: the veneration of relics, the chapel of the Maries, and the rituals of the pilgrims.

• Nature and Pastoral Life

  The opening simile of orange-lands and pastoral sounds, and the imagery of the sea and waves, frame the death scene.

Characters to notice

• Mirèio

  Dies at the shrine after a vision of the Three Maries; her body is laid on the tiles overlooking the sea.

• Vincen

  Grieves wildly over Mirèio's death, speaks of being buried with her, and laments her loss.

• Ramoun

  Arrives at the shrine with his wife, finds Mirèio, and pleads with the Saints to spare her.

• Ambroi

  Mentioned in Vincen's lament as 'Poor Master Ambroi' who will weep for his son.

• Santen

  Present at the shrine; Vincen entrusts him with the wish to be buried with Mirèio.

• Mary Jacobe

  One of the Three Maries in Mirèio's vision; their voices are described as music passing heavenward.

Key passages

• “As, when in orange-lands God’s day is ending, The maids let fly the leafy boughs, and, lending A helpful hand, the laden baskets lift...”

  Just as evening falls in the orange groves, with maids harvesting and boats coming ashore, so the music of the Maries fades away.

  Opening simile comparing the fading of the Maries' voices to the end of a pastoral day.

• “But, as a frighted vireo Who spies the huntsman, shrieked Mirèio, “O God, what is it? Father, mother, tell! Where will you go?” And therewith swooned and fell.”

  Mirèio, startled like a bird seeing a hunter, cries out to her parents and then faints.

  Mirèio's reaction upon seeing her parents at the shrine.

• “Slowly the maiden answered, “My poor friend, What is it doth affright you, and offend? Believe me, dear, the thing that we call death Is a delusion. Lo! it vanisheth, As a fog when the bells begin their pealing; As dreams with daylight through the window stealing.”

  Mirèio reassures Vincen that death is an illusion, like fog or dreams that disappear.

  Mirèio's final words to Vincen, expressing a transcendent view of death.

• ““See you not she is dead?” he loudly wailed. “Quite dead?” And therewith fiercely wrung his hands, As he of old had wrung the osier-strands, And threw his naked arms abroad.”

  Vincen cries out that Mirèio is dead, wringing his hands as he used to wring willow branches.

  Vincen's anguished realization of Mirèio's death.