The Mezentian Gate

If this be error, and upon me proved,

I never writ, nor no man ever loved.

SHAKESPEARE

And ride in triumph through Persepolis!

Is it not brave to be a King, Techelles?

Usumcasane and Theridamas,

Is it not passing brave to be a King,

And ride in triumph through Persepolis?

MARLOWE

I cannot conceive any beginning of such love as I have for you but Beauty. There may be a sort of love for which, without the least sneer at it, I have the highest respect and can admire it in others: but it has not the richness, the bloom, the full form, the enchantment of love after my own heart.

KEATS

CONTENTS

Cover (#ubcb284e4-3637-5402-96c2-cc08cdd3d687)

Title Page (#ud2ea0fbc-c94b-5a06-82de-4e981106089f)

Copyright (#uc76efe89-a556-5b38-b7c6-5c5f33cd39e1)

Dedication (#u7c988c40-3cd8-56eb-892f-ecdbaa707746)

Epigraph (#u057c6120-693a-56a8-bd02-80c48e4e2120)

Introduction by Paul Edmund Thomas (#udff319c8-c4bc-59c1-87a9-58c2c372d6b0)

Prefatory Note by Colin Rücker Eddison (#u20fb622b-4516-5c5e-8abc-c7bde3ae6559)

LETTER OF INTRODUCTION (#u3bb3ed3c-ba06-5dce-9ada-6ff42ebe9afc)

PRAELUDIUM: LESSINGHAM ON THE RAFTSUND (#uc5deba9a-44cb-5779-983a-411b366b85f6)

BOOK ONE: FOUNDATIONS (#u1e93ceab-cf99-5345-9c4d-a11da6a650fe)

I. Foundations in Rerek (#u41e0d857-024e-53d8-b98d-8a11781b8cc5)

II. Foundations in Fingiswold (#u92d3b99f-4ada-5cd5-8789-27adfdaf083e)

III. Nigra Sylva, where the Devils Dance (#ua8c660c7-359f-5952-b397-e4053b59bc03)

IV. The Bolted Doors (#litres_trial_promo)

V. Princess Marescia (#litres_trial_promo)

VI. Prospect North from Argyanna (#litres_trial_promo)

BOOK TWO: UPRISING OF KING MEZENTIUS (#litres_trial_promo)

VII. Zeus Terpsikeraunos (#litres_trial_promo)

VIII. The Prince Protector (#litres_trial_promo)

IX. Lady Rosma in Acrozayana (#litres_trial_promo)

X. Stirring of the Eumenides (#litres_trial_promo)

XI. Commodity of Nephews (#litres_trial_promo)

XII. Another Fair Moonshiny Night (#litres_trial_promo)

BOOK THREE: THE AFFAIR OF REREK (#litres_trial_promo)

XIII. The Devil’s Quilted Anvil (#litres_trial_promo)

XIV. Lord Emmius Parry (#litres_trial_promo)

BOOK FOUR: THE AFFAIR OF MESZRIA (#litres_trial_promo)

XV. Queen Rosma (#litres_trial_promo)

XVI. Lady of Presence (#litres_trial_promo)

XVII. Akkama Brought into the Dowry (#litres_trial_promo)

XVIII. The She-Wolf Tamed to Hand (#litres_trial_promo)

XIX. The Duchess of Memison (#litres_trial_promo)

BOOK FIVE: THE TRIPLE KINGDOM (#litres_trial_promo)

XX. Dura Papilla Lupae (#litres_trial_promo)

XXI. Anguring Combust (#litres_trial_promo)

XXII. Pax Mezentiana (#litres_trial_promo)

XXIII. The Two Dukes (#litres_trial_promo)

XXIV. Prince Valero (#litres_trial_promo)