# XXXV: Hesperus explained — Poetry

> Chapter companion for Poetry by C. S. Lewis.

## What happens

A lyrical poem invoking Hesperus, the evening star, as a guide through the summer night toward a mythical garden of delight, peace, and dreams. The speaker expresses a longing to follow Hesperus across the western sea to a realm of eternal twilight and rest, where the star's daughters guard a golden tree and an old dragon stirs in joy. The chapter culminates in a desire to find one's heart's delight beyond the western horizon.

## Themes in this chapter

### The Search for Meaning

The speaker's quest to follow Hesperus to a garden of delight symbolizes a search for purpose and heart's desire.

### Illusion vs. Reality

The idealized, dreamlike realm of Hesperus contrasts with the waking world, suggesting a tension between fantasy and truth.

## Character check-ins

### Dymer

The speaker of the poem, yearning to follow Hesperus to a place of peace and fulfillment.

## Key lines

> Through the starry hollow / Of the summer night / I would follow, follow / Hesperus the bright, / To seek beyond the western wave / His garden of delight.

I would travel through the starry summer night to follow the bright evening star, hoping to find its mythical garden beyond the western sea.

_Opening stanza expressing the speaker's desire to pursue Hesperus to a place of beauty and joy._

> And while the old, old dragon / For joy lifts up his head, / They bring thee forth a flagon / Of nectar foaming red, / And underneath the drowsy trees / Of poppies strew thy bed.

The ancient dragon raises its head in happiness, and the daughters offer Hesperus a cup of red nectar, then prepare a bed beneath poppy trees for rest.

_Imagery of the dragon and daughters welcoming Hesperus to a realm of peace and intoxication._

> Ah! that I could follow / In thy footsteps bright, / Through the starry hollow / Of the summer night, / Sloping down the western ways / To find my heart’s delight!

If only I could follow your shining path through the summer night, descending westward to discover what my heart truly desires.

_Final stanza reiterating the longing to reach a place of ultimate fulfillment._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_3_se/chapters/xxxv-hesperus
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_3_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_3_se/chapters