# XLVI explained — Poetry

> Chapter companion for Poetry by John Keats.

## What happens

Isabel gazes intently at the fresh grave, perceiving its hidden truth as clearly as one sees pale limbs at the bottom of a crystal well. She seems to take root on the murderous spot, like a native lily, and then begins to dig fervently with her knife, more eagerly than a miser.

## Themes in this chapter

### Love and Loss

Isabel's desperate digging at the grave reflects her profound love and the loss of Lorenzo.

### Sorrow and Melancholy

The scene is steeped in sorrow as Isabel confronts the murderous spot and her grief.

## Character check-ins

### Isabel

Isabel gazes at the grave and begins to dig with her knife.

## Key lines

> She gazed into the fresh-thrown mould, as though One glance did fully all its secrets tell; Clearly she saw, as other eyes would know Pale limbs at bottom of a crystal well;

She stared at the freshly turned earth as if a single look revealed everything; she saw clearly, as others might see pale limbs at the bottom of a clear spring.

_Isabel perceives the hidden truth of the grave with unnatural clarity._

> Upon the murderous spot she seem'd to grow, Like to a native lily of the dell: Then with her knife, all sudden, she began To dig more fervently than misers can.

She appeared to take root on that deadly spot, like a lily native to the valley; then suddenly she began to dig with her knife, more eagerly than any miser.

_Isabel becomes rooted to the grave site and digs with desperate fervor._

## Links

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