# Canto the XIII explained — Poetry

> Chapter companion for Poetry by John Keats.

## What happens

The Mule, left alone, celebrates his freedom from the Princess and plots to rid himself of his bridle by pretending to sleep, tricking thieving monkey-men into removing it.

## Character check-ins

### Fortune's Fool

The Mule, also referred to as 'Fortune's Fool' and 'Mr. Dwarfy,' is the central figure in this canto, expressing joy at his newfound freedom.

### Elfinan

Implied as the 'unhappy Prince' the Mule references, though not directly present.

### Bellanaine

Referenced as the 'Princess' the Mule is glad to be free from.

## Key lines

> The Mule no sooner saw himself alone Than he prick’d up his Ears⁠—and said “well done; At least unhappy Prince I may be free⁠— No more a Princess shall side-saddle me.”

As soon as the Mule was by himself, he perked up his ears and congratulated himself, saying that at least he, the unfortunate prince, could now be free and would never again be ridden side-saddle by a princess.

_The Mule celebrates his liberation from the Princess._

> Even as he spake he trotted in high glee To the knotty side of an old Pollard tree, And rubb’d his sides against the mossed bark Till his Girths burst and left him naked stark Except his Bridle⁠—how get rid of that Buckled and tied with many a twist and plait.

While speaking, he trotted happily to a gnarled old tree and rubbed against its mossy bark until his saddle straps broke, leaving him bare except for his bridle, which was tightly buckled and knotted.

_The Mule sheds his saddle but struggles with the bridle._

> At last it struck him to pretend to sleep, And then the thievish Monkeys down would creep And filch the unpleasant trammels quite away.

Finally, he thought of pretending to sleep so that thieving monkeys would come down and steal the troublesome bridle.

_The Mule devises a trick to remove the bridle._

> No sooner thought of than adown he lay, Shamm’d a good snore⁠—the Monkey-men descended And whom they thought to injure they befriended. They hung his Bridle on a topmost bough And off he went run, trot, or anyhow⁠—

As soon as he thought of it, he lay down and faked a loud snore; the monkey-men came down and, intending to harm him, actually helped him by hanging his bridle on a high branch, after which he ran off however he could.

_The Mule's trick succeeds, and he escapes._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_14_se/chapters/canto-the-xiii
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_14_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_14_se/chapters