Suttree surfaced from these fevered deeps to hear a maudlin voice chant latin by his bedside, what medieval ghost come to usurp his fallen corporeality. An oiled thumball redolent of lime and sage pondered his shuttered lids.Miserere mei, Deus ...His ears anointed, his lips ... omnis maligna discordia ... Bechrismed with scented oils he lay boneless in a cold euphoria. Japheth when you left your father's house the birds had flown. You were not prepared for such weathers. You'd spoke too lightly of the winter in your father's heart. We saw you in the streets. Sad.
Suttree experiences a surreal moment of awakening, where he hears a sorrowful voice reciting Latin beside him. He imagines it to be a ghost, perhaps a remnant of a medieval past encroaching on his current state. As the scent of oils fills the air, he lies in a lethargic stupor, feeling both calmed and disconnected from the world around him, as if slipping into a cold, euphoric haze. The Latin phrases suggest themes of mercy and discord, deepening the sense of foreboding.
The passage reflects on themes of loss and preparedness for life's harsh realities. It alludes to Japheth, who, upon leaving his father's home, underestimated the challenges that lie ahead. The mention of winter in his father’s heart symbolizes emotional struggles, contrasting with Japheth's earlier naivety. The narrative encapsulates a moment of fragility and recognition of sorrow in Suttree's life, underlining the melancholy that permeates his journey.
