The Anathemata

Rite and Fore-time (continued)

By the two that follow Aquarius2

toiling the dry meander:

through the byes

under the low porch

up the turning stair

to the high nave

David Jones notes

2 Cf. the instructions given to Peter and John in the Passion according to Luke.

‘As you go into the city there shall meet you a man carrying a pitcher of water: follow him into the house where he entereth in ... And he will show you a large dining-room furnished, and there prepare.’ (Trans. of Vulgate.)

The passage also partly reflects memories I have of walking in the lanes of Jerusalem, the excessive dryness and white dust, the low arched entries and stairs up into cool interior rooms.

additional notes

The ‘nave’ not only connects the high-room with the church where the mass is being celebrated, but the also the word is derived from the Latin ‘navis’, ship; this latter use paves the way for the metaphor of the sea, ships and the sea-voyager which will shortly be introduced (see p. 53) and will frequently recur as the poem proceeds.

comments

see also

semantic structures

glossary

Aquarius: the water carrier.

bye (noun): a secondary or subsidiary object, such as a byeway.