From the book
The Gods Are Athirst
Anatole France · Diotimos Editions · 2026
Browse this book’s lexicon →Meaning
Phrase.
Dragon in this older expression means a blemish or opaque spot on the eye, as the supplied edition’s lexical note explains. It is not the military dragoon Henry, a tattoo, a hairstyle or a literal monster. The man merely resembles Tallien: the narration does not identify him conclusively. The English “a spot on his eye” avoids the false modern readings without supplying an unsupported medical diagnosis.
Places to read
- Chapter XXVI, paragraph 7Frenchavait un dragon sur l’œil et ressemblait à Tallien: had a spot on his eye and resembled Tallien. A descriptive resemblance, not a certain identification of the man.