The Legend of the Lovers is ancient holiday tale often recited on Heart's Day, the 16th of Sun's Dawn. It is a bardic tale concerning two Lovers, Polydor and Eloisa. Although the names and people were real, the legend itself is fantasy, spun to mythologize a true and tragic story.[1]
Every Heart's Day, in homes all across Tamriel, the Legend of the Lovers is traditionally sung to the younger generations. Inns also offer free rooms for visitors on this day in honor of the Lovers.[2][3] Although most live performances tend to focus on the carnal aspects of the legend,[1] the truth of the tale focuses on the wickedness and perversity found in mortal man. Some bardic performances of the legend are therefore decidedly depressing, with the two Lovers doomed due to the cruel nature of the world.[4] This telling is the closest the legend gets to reality; the original bardic rendition ends with the apparent death of the Lovers.[1]
According to the enigmatic immortal entity known as the Impresario, the truth of Polydor and Eloisa's story can be found in the writings of Amun-dro.[1]
VersesEdit
Their love would never rest / the blood would tell it true / and as their families fest / they vanished to the night"
—Final lines of the original bardic rendition[1]
NotesEdit
- The Legends of the Lovers is not to be confused with The Legend of Lovers Lament, which relates to the lake of Lover's Lament and a different pair of lovers.
- The names of Polydor and Eloisa are likely derived from the phrase Abelard and Heloise.