# The Night of Isis explained — The Tour

> Chapter companion for The Tour by Louis Couperus.

## What happens

Lucius, feeling deeply melancholic and unwell, wanders alone during the Feast of Isis in Sais. He encounters three hierodules who lead him to the temple where the veiled Isis statue looms. After leaving the temple, he finds Cora waiting by his barge and asks her to stay with him. Cora dances for him in the moonlight while he falls asleep. Later, Thrasyllus returns and confides in Cora his disillusionment with the wisdom of Egypt, yet retains hope to find a cure for Lucius in Memphis or Thebes.

## Themes in this chapter

### Grief and Healing

Lucius experiences profound melancholy and physical illness, seeking comfort from Cora and hoping for a cure from Thrasyllus's quest for wisdom.

### Deception and Survival

Thrasyllus criticizes the priests of Isis for selling the hollow word 'Be a god unto yourself,' suggesting a veneer of wisdom hiding venality.

## Character check-ins

### Publius Lucius Sabinus

Lucius is deeply melancholic and unwell, wanders alone during the Feast of Isis, visits the temple, and later asks Cora to stay with him.

### Cora

Cora chooses to stay near the barge rather than enjoy her night of liberty, dances for Lucius in the moonlight, and later speaks with Thrasyllus.

### Thrasyllus

Thrasyllus returns late at night and confides in Cora his disappointment with the wisdom of Egypt, but still hopes to find a cure for Lucius in Memphis or Thebes.

### Catullus

Uncle Catullus retires to his cabin during the Feast of Isis.

### Tarrar

Tarrar remains on the barge to sleep at his master's threshold.

## Key lines

> I Am Who Have Been, Who Am And Who Shall Be; And No One Has Lifted My Veil.

The inscription on the statue of Isis declares her eternal and mysterious nature, which remains hidden from all.

_This inscription reflects the theme of hidden wisdom and the inscrutability of the divine._

> Great Isis hides behind her veil the worthlessness and venality of her priests, whose last remaining pride is to sell in great secrecy the word, 'Be a god unto yourself.'

Thrasyllus believes the priests of Isis are corrupt and offer only a hollow, self-serving doctrine.

_Thrasyllus's critique underscores the theme of deception and the search for genuine spiritual truth._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_tour_se/chapters/xiv
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_tour_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_tour_se/chapters