# LXXVI explained — Poetry

> Chapter companion for Poetry by John Keats.

## 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.

## Character check-ins

### Princess

The Princess is very scared by the griffin's appearance and the fire.

## Key lines

> 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._

## Links

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