Devotion

Several passages in Poul Anderson's Time Patrol series are invested with a palpable sense of piety or religious devotion. In "Star of the Sea," the passages headed by the Roman numeral I-IV show the mythology developing alongside the history.

In III, which is a complete short story, a hag tells the hunter Gutherius that he will have woe followed by a reward. A white stag leads him into "...an eldritch part of the forest..." (Time Patrol, p. 626) with wind, dead leaves and moss on logs and stones but no birds, beasts, nuts, berries or mushrooms and clouds hiding the sun.

Lost but seeing the evening star in the clearing sky, he prays and offers to Nehalennia. After a great storm but in a sunny morning, a dog, "'...the hound of Nehalennia...'" (p. 627), leads him to a shore where he helps the crew of a grounded ship. Rewarded, he invests in the Britain run, always enjoying fair weather and wind. Becoming wealthy, he raises an altar and always makes generous offerings to Nehalennia.

"Hers are the trees, the vines, and the fruits thereof. Hers are the sea and the ships that plow it. Hers are the well-being of mortals and peace among them." (p. 628)

IV is a heart-felt prayer for the protection and blessing of Mary:

"Pure as yourself, your evenstar shines above the sunset. Guide us by your light. Lay your gentleness on the seas, breathe us forward in our faring and home again to our loves, carry us at last by your prayers into Heaven.
"Ave Stella Maris!" (p. 640)