# X: Bright Cap and Streamers explained — Poetry

> Chapter companion for Poetry by James Joyce.

## What happens

A lover with a bright cap and streamers sings in a hollow, calling all who love to follow him, leaving dreams behind for dreamers. He sings boldly with wild bees humming at his shoulder, declaring the time of dreaming over and coming to his beloved as a lover.

## Themes in this chapter

### Love and Longing

The lover's call and the response 'As lover to lover, Sweetheart, I come' embody romantic longing and devotion.

### Transience and Loss

The line 'the time of dreaming Dreams is over' signals an end to a phase, emphasizing the fleeting nature of dreams and time.

## Character check-ins

### Narrator

The speaker who describes the singing lover and ultimately responds to the call.

### Beloved

Addressed as 'Sweetheart' at the end, the one the lover comes to.

### Love

Referenced in the invitation 'All you that love' as the motivating force.

## Key lines

> Come follow, come follow, All you that love.

Invitation for all who love to join the singer.

_The central call of the chapter, urging lovers to follow._

> And the time of dreaming Dreams is over⁠— As lover to lover, Sweetheart, I come.

The period of dreaming has ended, and I come to you as a lover.

_Climactic declaration of transition from dream to action, culminating in the lover's approach._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_11_se/chapters/x-bright-cap-and-streamers
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_11_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_11_se/chapters