# LXV explained — Poetry

> Chapter companion for Poetry by John Keats.

## What happens

The fairy escort is clearly seen, resembling the old pageant of Aurora's train, hovering near a pearl-built minster. First comes wily Crafticant, the chamberlain, balanced on his gray-grown pinions with his slender wand officially revealed. Then black gnomes scatter sixpences like rain, followed by pages three and three, and next, slave-held, the bright Imaian 'scutcheon with one mouse in an argent field.

## Character check-ins

### Crafticant

The wily chamberlain leads the fairy escort, balanced on his gray-grown pinions with his slender wand revealed.

## Key lines

> And now the fairy escort was seen clear, Like the old pageant of Aurora’s train, Above a pearl-built minster, hovering near;

The fairy procession became clearly visible, resembling the ancient parade of the dawn goddess, hovering near a church built of pearl.

_Describes the appearance of the fairy escort with a classical reference to Aurora._

> First wily Crafticant, the chamberlain, Balanced upon his gray-grown pinions twain, His slender wand officially reveal’d;

First came the cunning chamberlain Crafticant, balancing on his two gray wings, with his thin wand shown in an official manner.

_Introduces Crafticant as the leader of the escort, emphasizing his sly nature and official role._

> Then black gnomes scattering sixpences like rain; Then pages three and three; and next, slave-held The Imaian ’scutcheon bright,⁠—one mouse in argent field.

Then black gnomes threw sixpences as if it were raining; then pages in groups of three; and next, a slave carried the bright Imaian shield, which displayed one mouse on a silver background.

_Describes the sequence of the procession: gnomes scattering coins, pages, and the heraldic shield._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_14_se/chapters/lxv
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_14_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_14_se/chapters