Commentary, Line 231: How ludicrous, etc. through Line 286, A jet's pink trail above the sunset fire Summary

Kinbote relates a variation of four lines from the poem, and in a list of writers with Swift and Baudelaire, Shade has left a blank spot. Kinbote says that to keep the poem's rhythm the missing word must be two syllables and implies that Shade may have intended to use Kinbote's name.

Kinbote clarifies a reference to a cicada cocoon and then recalls his walks with John Shade. During the walks, John Shade points out interesting plants or animals, avoiding discussion of his work with Kinbote. He will not reveal anything about the poem he's working on. Kinbote believes Shade is writing about King Charles and tries to draw out details from the writer.

Kinbote...