King Arthur's sister is a character in Three Hearts... and Arthur himself appears at the end of A Midsummer Tempest. Thus, the Arthurian legend is a strong unifying element in Poul Anderson's Old Phoenix sequence - and also links it to CS Lewis' third Ransom novel which features a returned Merlin.
Sometimes, when we expect a sentence to end, it continues, with prepositions adding extra nouns so that the reader's attention is engaged and drawn onward.
"The procession wound out of the gates..." (p. 53)
- which would have made a complete sentence, instead acquires four additional clauses:
"...over the bridge...
"...across the lawns..
"...toward Elf Hill...
"...of the roses." (ibid.)
The immediately following sentence continues in similar vein:
"...and horseback... (on horseback?)
"...banners flying...
"...from their lances...
"...musicians playing horns...
"...and harps...
"...and lutes...
"...a hundred lords...
"...and ladies...
"...of Faerie...
"...who danced...
"...as they neared the mound." (ibid.)
We are well on our way into Elf Hill with Holger when Alianora intervenes. What would have happened to Holger if he had entered that Hill?
1 comment:
Kaor, Paul
Both of my copies of the 1961 Doubleday and 1998 Easton Press editions of THREE HEARTS AND THREE LIONS has "...ON horseback" (my emphasis). Regrettably, your copy of the edition you have made a mistake here.
I know what would have happened if Holger had entered Elf Hill, but I'll keep quiet for now! (Smiles)
Ad astra! Sean
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