Poetry · Chapter
LXXXIV explained
The imperial procession glides toward a light Ionic portico, the city's delicacy and pride of the Imperial Basilic.
What happens
The imperial procession glides toward a light Ionic portico, the city's delicacy and pride of the Imperial Basilic. Lords and ladies bow in obeisance as they enter, but inside everything is turned topsy-turvy in a devilish dance.
Characters to notice
- Bellanaine
Bellanaine is shouted by the crowd as the procession moves toward the portico.
- Elfinan
Elfinan is implied as the imperial figure leading the procession, referenced by the 'Imperial Basilic'.
Key passages
“Still ‘Bellanaine!’ they shouted, while we glide ’Slant to a light Ionic portico, The city’s delicacy, and the pride Of our Imperial Basilic”
The crowd continues to shout 'Bellanaine!' as we move diagonally toward a graceful Ionic portico, which is the city's finest ornament and the pride of our imperial basilica.
Describes the procession's approach to an elegant architectural feature.
“All things turn’d topsy-turvy in a devil’s dance.”
Everything was chaotic and upside-down, as if in a demonic dance.
Highlights the sudden disorder upon entering.