Poetry · Chapter
Santa Decca explained
The poem declares the death of the old gods—Pallas, Demeter's child, Pan—and the rise of Mary's son as King.
What happens
The poem declares the death of the old gods—Pallas, Demeter's child, Pan—and the rise of Mary's son as King. Yet on a sea-tranced isle, the speaker hints that some god may still lie hidden in the asphodel, and warns Love to beware of stirring leaves.
Themes in this chapter
Classical Mythology and Antiquity
The poem invokes Pallas, Demeter, Pan, and Hylas, marking the death of the old gods and the end of pagan worship.
Spirituality and Doubt
The declaration that 'the Gods are dead' and the uncertain possibility of a hidden god reflect spiritual uncertainty and the tension between pagan and Christian faith.
Characters to notice
- Pallas
Grey-eyed Pallas is mentioned as no longer receiving crowns of olive-leaves.
- Pan
Pan is declared dead, and his wanton haunts are no more.
- Young Hylas
Young Hylas no longer seeks the water-springs.
- Love
Love is addressed directly and warned to fly the anger of any hidden god.
- Mary
Mary's son is proclaimed King, signaling the new Christian order.
Key passages
“The Gods are dead: no longer do we bring To grey-eyed Pallas crowns of olive-leaves!”
The pagan gods have ceased to exist; we no longer offer olive-leaf crowns to Athena.
Opens with a stark declaration of the death of classical deities.
“Great Pan is dead, and Mary’s son is King.”
The great god Pan has died, and Jesus, the son of Mary, now reigns.
Contrasts the end of pagan mythology with the triumph of Christianity.
“And yet—perchance in this sea-trancèd isle, Chewing the bitter fruit of memory, Some God lies hidden in the asphodel.”
Yet perhaps on this island, lost in a sea-dream and tasting bitter memories, a god still lurks among the asphodel flowers.
Introduces doubt and the possibility of a lingering divine presence.