Young Carsa In Ys

Gallicenae, XVI, 1.

This chapter section presents a beautiful account of Ys as experienced by a young mariner visiting the city for the first time:

green waves darkened by kelp, white on rocks

hundredfold fowl

gulls

terns

guillemots

puffins

cormorants

seals

dangerous reefs

dark rose sea wall between two promontories

on it, a frieze of fabulous creatures

battlements

turrets

gleaming glass on spires

the tidally closing gate

harbour

docks

warehouses

ships

boats

tugs

a robed official

guards in Ysan armour

longshoremen

hawkers

whores

entertainers

spectators

runners for inns, speaking some Latin

unfamiliar, elongated, sleek, swirling, surging proportions and artwork

throb

clamour

activity

prosperity

bright garments jewellery

folk clean, well-groomed, lean, energetic and dignified

Celtic and Phoenician features

women's equality

free servants

hostel room fresco of ship and blue-cloaked, star-holding woman

(Star of the Sea)

common room food

marinated mussels

leeks in chicken broth

fried plaice with thyme and watercress

hazelnuts in white bread

sweet butter

blue chees

honeycake

mead

an invitation to meet the King

Ysan marines

Roman guards

labyrinthine paths

flowerbeds

hedges

topiaries

bowers

scenes of wild beasts in forests on palace walls

bronze boar and bear before the staircase

copper roof

an image of an eagle with outspread wings on the dome

gilt wings blazing at sundown

the centurion/prefect/King

two of his nine wives

an old scholar

the head of a mercantile house

Rufinus

a visiting Scot

Princess Dahut...