Character guide

Jesus Christ

major

Also known as Lord Jesus Christ, Jesus, Oh Jesus, Christ, O radiant Christ, holy Lord Christ, Lord Jesus, Babe Jesus, Babe, the Saviour, Saviour, the Promethean Christ

Central divine figure, addressed in prayers and poems throughout the book.

Mary Magdalene

major

Also known as Mary, XV Mary

Devoted follower of Jesus, often depicted in intimate spiritual dialogue.

The Master

major

Also known as Master, The master

A recurring figure of authority and guidance, possibly Christ or a spiritual teacher.

Unknown

major

Also known as thou, Thou, Mine, Ye, me, mine, myself

The primary narrative voice, often a soul seeking or reflecting.

Death

supporting

Also known as Grim Death, old Death

Personified force of mortality, often addressed or depicted as a character.

Little Boy Blue

supporting

Also known as little Boy Blue, Boy Blue, Boy

A child figure from nursery rhyme, used in poetic allegory.

Sir Galahad

supporting

Also known as Galahad

Arthurian knight symbolizing purity and spiritual quest.

The Wind

supporting

Also known as Wind, The Wind

Personified natural force, often a companion or messenger.

Willie

supporting

Also known as Will, Minnie, IV Willie, V Willie

A child or young person addressed in several poems.

Rose

supporting

Also known as Rose - blotted eve, the Bell Bing, Bing, the Bell, The Bell

A symbolic figure associated with a bell and evening imagery.

The Woman Who Came Behind Him in the Crowd

supporting

Also known as The Woman Who Came Behind Him in the Crowd Near him she stole, rank after rank

A biblical figure who touched Jesus' garment for healing.

Harebell

supporting

Also known as The Foolish Harebell, A harebell, the Harebell, The Harebell

A personified flower, often representing humility or longing.

Little Bo-Peep

supporting

Also known as Bo - Peep

Nursery rhyme character used in pastoral or lost-child imagery.

Saint John

supporting

Also known as the good Saint John, John

Apostle and evangelist, often appearing in religious poems.

Satan

supporting

Also known as Man, The Asthmatic Man to the Satan That Binds Him Satan

Adversary figure, sometimes bound or struggling with a human.

Baby

supporting

An infant character, possibly the Christ child or a generic baby.

Beauty

supporting

Also known as the fair Beauty

Personified ideal of beauty, often addressed in verse.

Abu Midjan

supporting

A figure from an old story, possibly a poet or warrior.

Lark

supporting

Also known as Sir Lark, sir Lark

Personified bird, often singing or heralding dawn.

The Ravens Lord

supporting

A mysterious lord associated with ravens, possibly Odinic.

Master

supporting

Also known as master

A teacher or lord figure, distinct from 'the Master'.

Prince Breacan

minor

Also known as the Corrievrechan Prince Breacan of Denmark

A legendary Danish prince associated with a whirlpool.

Mother Mary

supporting

Also known as Mary, The Mother Mary, Mary mild, St. Eligius Queen Mary, Eligius

The Virgin Mary, mother of Jesus, appearing in gospel poems.

Maurice

minor

Also known as Maurice The

A named character, possibly a child or saint.

Love

supporting

Also known as the Father of Love

Personification of divine love, often addressed as a father.

Psyche

supporting

Also known as Poor Psyche, Sweet Psyche

Mythological soul figure, often in suffering or longing.

Young Spring

minor

Also known as Spring

Personified season of renewal and youth.

Earth

minor

Personified planet or ground, often maternal.

Moses

minor

Biblical prophet and lawgiver, referenced in poems.

The Heavenly Stranger

minor

Also known as stately man

A mysterious divine or angelic visitor.

Jove

minor

Roman king of gods, used in classical allusion.

Man Lord

minor

A title for a human lord or Christ-like figure.

King Cole

minor

Also known as King Cole King Cole

Nursery rhyme king, used in a light poem.

God

supporting

Also known as God

The supreme deity, addressed in prayers and hymns.

VI The Woman

minor

Also known as VI, VI The Woman

A numbered woman from the gospel women sequence.

Maiden

minor

A generic young woman, often in romantic or spiritual context.

Lily

minor

Personified flower, symbol of purity.

Lord

supporting

A title for God or Christ, used in direct address.

Birdie Brown

minor

Also known as Sang Birdie Brown, Birdie, Brown, Flew Birdie Brown

A small bird character, possibly a pet or wild bird.

Saint Peter

minor

Also known as Peter, St. Peter

Apostle and gatekeeper of heaven, appears in poems.

David

minor

Biblical king and psalmist, referenced in verse.

Brother of Brutus

minor

Also known as Brother, Brutus, of high hearts the chief, When thou at length receiv’st thy heavenly meed

A figure addressed as brother of Brutus, possibly a patriot.

Moon

minor

Personified celestial body, often in romantic imagery.

Hope

minor

Personified virtue, often deferred or patient.

Hark

minor

A personified call to listen, used as a character.

Godhead

minor

Also known as the Godhead, The Godhead

The divine essence or Trinity, addressed in poems.

Lycabas

minor

A named figure from classical or biblical lore.

Saad

minor

A named character, possibly from an Eastern tale.

Dear Martha

minor

Also known as Martha, XIV Martha, XIV

Biblical sister of Mary and Lazarus, appears in gospel poems.

Quiet Dead

minor

Also known as the Dead

Personified deceased, waiting or resting.

Potter

minor

A craftsman figure, possibly God as potter.

Angels

minor

Heavenly messengers, appearing in songs and visions.

Allah

minor

Islamic name for God, used in a poem.

The Persian

minor

A character from an Eastern or classical setting.

The Child-Mother

minor

Also known as Child, Mother

A young mother figure, possibly the Virgin Mary.

Faith

minor

Personified theological virtue.

The Owl

minor

Also known as Owl

Personified bird of wisdom or night.

Fancy

minor

Personified imagination or whimsy.

Rondel Heart

minor

Also known as Rondel

A heart figure from a poetic form.

Sorrow

minor

Personified grief or sadness.

Birds

minor

Collective personified birds, often singing.

The Syrophenician Woman

minor

Also known as IV The Syrophenician Woman

A Canaanite woman who begged Jesus for healing.

Simon

minor

Biblical figure, possibly Simon Peter or Simon of Cyrene.

King Sun

minor

Personified sun as a monarch.

Bome

minor

A mysterious named character, possibly a place or person.

Pa

minor

A father figure, possibly colloquial.

Little Neddy

minor

A child character, possibly a pet or boy.

Joseph

minor

Biblical husband of Mary, appears in nativity poems.

Scarce

minor

A personified rarity or lack.

Diamonds

minor

Personified gems, possibly in a metaphorical role.

Goads

minor

Personified urgings or spurs.

Cloud

minor

Also known as The Cloud

Personified weather phenomenon.

General Gordon

minor

Also known as Gordon

Historical British general, addressed in a poem.

High Father

minor

Title for God the Father.

O Serpent

minor

Personified snake, possibly Satan or a symbol.