The Book of Jade · Chapter
Hélas explained
The speaker laments to the Muse, who promised riches, slaves, and golden castles because of the speaker's beauty, yet the speaker now has no sandals and little bread.
What happens
The speaker laments to the Muse, who promised riches, slaves, and golden castles because of the speaker's beauty, yet the speaker now has no sandals and little bread. The speaker dreams of the distant, golden Irem, which they followed the Muse for a few kisses, but it is surrounded by endless deserts.
Themes in this chapter
Orientalism and Exotic Escapism
The speaker dreams of the far-off golden Irem, an exotic paradise, but finds only desolation.
Vanity of Human Endeavor
The promised riches and glory prove illusory, leaving the speaker with nothing.
Characters to notice
Key passages
“Hélas —Why sittest thou, O Muse, in grief enfolden? —Thou hast me promis’d jewels rich and rare To wear within my hair; And for my slaves the kings of kingdoms olden; And to abide in lofty castles golden, Because I am most fair.”
Alas, why are you sitting in grief, O Muse? You promised me rare jewels for my hair, kings as slaves, and golden castles because I am beautiful.
The speaker recalls the Muse's extravagant promises based on the speaker's beauty.
“And lo, I have no sandals for my feet, And little bread to eat.”
But look, I have no sandals and barely any food.
The speaker contrasts the promised wealth with their current poverty.
“Of that far golden Irem I am dreaming, Whence for few kisses I did follow thee; Fair is that spot to see, With far-off waving palms and towers gleaming; Great deserts round that isle of blissful seeming Lie stretching endlessly.”
I dream of distant golden Irem, where I followed you for a few kisses; it looks beautiful with waving palms and gleaming towers, but endless deserts surround this seemingly blissful island.
The speaker dreams of the exotic paradise Irem but acknowledges the desolation that surrounds it.