The Wind On Sena

Roma Mater, XXV, 2.

When the state barge has delivered the pregnant Queen Dahilis to the island of Sena for her Midwinter Vigil, the captain thanks Lir that He has brought them there safely and Belisama for the gift of Dahilis. When the captain has spoken, we are told that:

"The wind tattered his words." (p. 407)

Despite their safe passage through "...the wild water...," (ibid.) that wind underlines the hostile elements that Lir personifies. Throughout this chapter, wind batters both Dahilis and Gratillonius who has come to help although, for religious reasons, he must keep his distance unless she seeks him. Night falls but, when Gratillonius looks across from his tent to the House of the Goddess where Dahilis should be, he sees no light or other sign of habitation. When he asks Mithras what he should do:

"A still small voice replied: Look for the smoke." (p. 416)

There is no smoke.

And there is another Biblical quotation that we have not noted before.