Lope de Vega is, in the world of the Descent, the specter of the Spanish poet called “the phoenix of wits” (or “of geniuses”), who died on 27 August 1635. As a shade he speaks four languages and offers infernal alliances and contracts whose price is the soul.
| Type | Character (specter) |
| Spanish entry | Lope de Vega |
Description
He was seen sitting in the courtyard of an establishment beside the well, gazing thoughtfully at whoever addressed him, his little feet dangling: “he is shorter than he seemed”. His presence is that of a shade, not flesh. He is a unique apparition, not known to be summonable or seen anywhere else. He addressed a living companion by name, as if resuming a conversation.
He chooses his language to suit himself and his listeners: he opens «Vamos a ir hablando en castellano» (“We will speak in Castilian”), and adds the “tongue of Albion”, “Latin, infernal, celestial”, and French “at some point”.
Role
His credentials are his work: “I wrote a great epic… called La Dragontera”, the Dragontea, dedicated to Francis Drake. He says in his own verse that he was born to “the extremes, which are loving and loathing, and never had means”. His service is tied to New Spain.
His price is the soul: dealing with him is a commitment, not a purchase. In life and death he shares common interests with the Great Green Dragon, which makes him a channel between the Spaniards and that power. A link between his dragon poem and his dragon ally is suggested but not established.
Conflicting accounts
- Some itineraries date the apparition to 1666.
- The specter says he died “a year and a day ago” in 1635, which gives 1636.
Open questions
- Whether La Dragontera and the Dragontea are one work or two.
- What the common interests with the Great Green Dragon are.
- Which city and establishment, and why he appears there.
- Whether his contract can be refused without consequence once begun.
- His dress, face and sound, and whether all present can see him.
Gallery
