# Constancy explained — The Book of Jade

> Chapter companion for The Book of Jade by David Park Barnitz.

## What happens

The speaker addresses a deceased beloved, noting her pale lips and cold breasts, yet vows not to abandon her holy bed. He acknowledges that death will bring decay—dust, worms, and profanation—but insists that death brings no disgrace, and cries to the stars that she is most fair.

## Themes in this chapter

### Death and Decay

The poem dwells on the beloved's corpse, dust, worms, and the profanation of beauty by decay.

### Ennui and Existential Dread

The speaker's confrontation with the stillness and finality of death evokes a sense of existential weariness.

## Character check-ins

### Unknown

The speaker who addresses the dead beloved with constancy and defiance.

### Death

The force to whom the beloved has gone down, personified as a destination.

## Key lines

> Surely thy face, love, is a little pale, And somewhat wan thy lips that were so red

Your face is pale, love, and your lips have lost their redness.

_The speaker observes the physical signs of death in the beloved._

> Thou art gone down to Death, thou art gone down, And the dead things shall nestle in thy hair, And the dust shall profane thy golden crown, And the worms shall consume thy perfect face

You have descended into death, where dead creatures will settle in your hair, dust will defile your crown, and worms will eat your face.

_The speaker vividly describes the decomposition awaiting the beloved._

> Even so: but Death shall bring thee no disgrace, And to the stars I cry, Thou art most fair!

Nevertheless, death will not dishonor you, and I proclaim to the stars that you are most beautiful.

_The speaker affirms the beloved's beauty despite decay._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_book_of_jade_se/chapters/part-i-constancy
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_book_of_jade_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_book_of_jade_se/chapters