Book 1, The Tavern : Chapter 3, Union through Rough Metaphor Summary

The number of poems in these sections range from as few as four to as many as ten. Each has the preamble supplied by the translator Coleman Barks. His short italicized notes at the beginning provide readers with a way, or an attitude towards interpreting what is going to follow. This covers the headings eleven through sixteen inclusive.

The majority of these poems, like the others, have short stanzas. The lines of these do not rhyme, but do have an intentional auditory quality. Complete understanding of the music of the words would require what Mr. Barks has done: extensive work with the poems in their original language and careful translations of these using the English language.

Most of the poems do not mention the name of his Friend directly...