Poetry · Chapter
LXXVI explained
At exactly 5:13 PM, a massive fire breaks out in the west, immediately assumed to be the city of Balk.
What happens
At exactly 5:13 PM, a massive fire breaks out in the west, immediately assumed to be the city of Balk. A griffin circles overhead, reconnoitering the group, doubling their guard, lighting torches, and shouting until it finally veers away. The Princess is terrified, and many prepare for death.
Characters to notice
- Princess
The Princess is very scared by the griffin's appearance and the fire.
Key passages
“Five minutes thirteen seconds after three, Far in the west a mighty fire broke out, Conjectured, on the instant, it might be The city of Balk—’twas Balk beyond all doubt”
At exactly 5:13 PM, a huge fire erupted in the west, and everyone immediately guessed it was the city of Balk—and it was definitely Balk.
The precise time and immediate identification of the burning city emphasize the urgency and certainty of the event.
“A griffin, wheeling here and there about, Kept reconnoitering us—doubled our guard— Lighted our torches, and kept up a shout, Till he sheer’d off—the Princess very scared— And many on their marrow-bones for death prepared.”
A griffin circled around, scouting us, doubling our guard, lighting our torches, and shouting until it finally flew away. The Princess was terrified, and many people knelt down, ready to die.
The griffin's reconnaissance and the group's terrified reaction highlight the supernatural threat and the fear of impending doom.