Epigraph
Mentioned as the subject of the epigraph, an old man who regained youth and obtained a bright shirt but never fulfilled his desire.
Dedication
Referenced as the titular figure who 'travels content to compromise' and sighs, embodying the poem's theme of resigned acceptance.
A Foreword: Which Asserts Nothing
Defends himself against the tumblebug's accusations, asserting his identity as a poet and maker of literature.
Jurgen
The protagonist, a pawnbroker dissatisfied with his mundane life and marriage.
Why Jurgen Did the Manly Thing
A pawnbroker and former poet who speaks well of the Devil and later follows his wife into a cave.
II: Assumption of a Noted Garment
Enters the cave, meets Nessus, accepts the shirt, and rides westward seeking justice.
III: The Garden Between Dawn and Sunrise
Jurgen enters the garden between dawn and sunrise with Nessus, recognizing it as Count Emmerick's garden from his youth. He observes the young couples and reflects on the nature of illusions and life's compromises.
IV: The Dorothy Who Did Not Understand
Appears as a staid, paunchy pawnbroker in his forties, confronting his younger self's lost love.
V: Requirements of Bread and Butter
Reflects on his past love for Dorothy and the nature of illusion, and confronts the coming changes to the garden.
VI: Showing That Sereda Is Feminine
The pawnbroker protagonist, seeking his wife and using flattery and cleverness to negotiate with Mother Sereda.
VII: Of Compromises on a Wednesday
Returns to his youth, kills Heitman Michael, and embraces Dorothy, wrestling with guilt and the desire to seize the moment.
VIII: Old Toys and a New Shadow
Reflects on his past loves and mortality as he explores the cave; disturbed by his unnatural shadow.
IX: The Orthodox Rescue of Guenevere
Rescues Guenevere from Thragnar's enchantment, takes Caliburn, and poses as the Duke of Logreus.
X: Pitiful Disguises of Thragnar
Jurgen suspects Thragnar's disguises, slays the apparent Lisa and a black knight, and begins to feel affection for Guenevere.
XI: Appearance of the Duke of Logreus
Arrives in Cameliard as the Duke of Logreus, asks for Guenevere's hand, discovers his youth restored, and resolves to challenge King Arthur.
XII: Excursus of Yolande's Undoing
Self-appointed Duke of Logreus, he kills Graemagog, seduces Yolande, and remains fixated on Guenevere.
XIII: Philosophy of Gogyrvan Gawr
Engages in a philosophical discussion with King Gogyrvan, expressing horror at the King's pragmatic views on honor and love.
XIV: Preliminary Tactics of Duke Jurgen
Now Duke of Logreus, he is amorously pursuing Princess Guenevere at the court of Glathion, composing verses and employing tactical romantic advances, yet feels emotionally detached and troubled by a shadow only he can see.
XV: Of Compromises in Glathion
As Duke of Logreus, he conducts a secret nightly affair with Guenevere, delighting in his own cleverness and the secrecy, yet grows troubled by her lack of remorse and his own misery over her impending marriage.
XVI: Divers Imbroglios of King Smoit
Visited by ghosts of King Smoit and Queen Sylvia Tereu; learns Smoit is his biological grandfather; agrees to impersonate Smoit's ghost.
XVII: About a Cock That Crowed Too Soon
Pretends to murder Anaïtis with Caliburn, comforts Queen Sylvia, and later converses with Anaïtis about the night's events.
Why Merlin Talked in Twilight
Summoned by Merlin; receives a token and advice; ends his affair with Guenevere.
XIX: The Brown Man with Queer Feet
Jurgen confronts the brown man and insists on his own importance and the existence of justice, despite the disturbing vision he has witnessed.
XX: Efficacy of Prayer
Spends the night in prayer for his dead kindred and Lisa, then questions the bishop about Christ, and finally leaves with Anaïtis for Cocaigne.
XXI: How Anaïtis Voyaged
Accompanies Anaïtis on a voyage to Cocaigne, asking many questions about the strange surroundings and crew.
XXII: As to a Veil They Broke
Performs the ceremonial Breaking of the Veil with Anaïtis, wielding a blood-tipped lance and declaring himself life and giver of life.
XXIII: Shortcomings of Prince Jurgen
Expresses dissatisfaction with Cocaigne and his marriage, philosophizes about belief and nothingness, and criticizes the mythological guests.
XXIV: Of Compromises in Cocaigne
Lives with Anaïtis in Cocaigne, feeling discontent and questioning his desires; plays with the Eumenidês and studies the Library's pleasures.
XXV: Cantraps of the Master Philologist
Confronts the Master Philologist, is defeated by words, and discards his sword Caliburn.
XXVI: In Time's Hourglass
Feigns indifference to manipulate Anaïtis, but is captivated by the vision of Queen Helen in Leukê.
XXVII: Vexatious Estate of Queen Helen
Arrives on Leukê seeking Queen Helen, but after seeing Achilles, he turns his attention to the hamadryad Chloris.
XXVIII: Of Compromises in Leukê
Marries Chloris, builds a cabin, and reflects on the customs of Leukê, finding them stifling but choosing to compromise.
XXIX: Concerning Horvendile's Nonsense
Reflects on the sea and encounters Horvendile and Perion; dismisses the meeting as a dream.
Economics of King Jurgen
Enters Pseudopolis using gray magic, confronts his past and desires, and ultimately chooses not to awaken Queen Helen.
The Fall of Pseudopolis
Remains in Leukê with Chloris, refuses to flee to the Woods or be turned into a boar-pig, and decides to face the Philistines.
Sundry Devices of the Philistines
Argues his reality and kingship before the Philistine judges, engages in mathematical discourse with Queen Dolores, and refuses to compromise with Philistia.
XXXIII: Farewell to Chloris
Bids farewell to Chloris, rejects Queen Dolores's pardon, and submits to his doom in the Hell of his fathers.
XXXIV: How Emperor Jurgen Fared Infernally
Enters Hell alive, claims the title Emperor of Noumaria, and negotiates with devils before demanding to see Grandfather Satan.
XXXV: What Grandfather Satan Reported
Visits Grandfather Satan to complain about Hell's unfairness and seeks assistance to leave.
Why Coth Was Contradicted
Visits his father Coth in Chorasma, argues about the nature of sin and conscience, and tries to manipulate Coth's beliefs to secure his own release.
XXXVII: Invention of the Lovely Vampire
Meets and comforts the vampire Florimel, using his wiles to gain her trust.
XXXVIII: As to Applauded Precedents
Marries Florimel, advises Satan on harsh governance, and asserts his unique nature to Florimel.
XXXIX: Of Compromises in Hell
Emperor Jurgen, seeking his wife Lisa, finds Hell's democracy and methods crude, and engages in a flirtation with Phyllis and a relationship with Florimel, though he feels misunderstood.
XL: The Ascension of Pope Jurgen
The protagonist, masquerading as Pope John the Twentieth, ascends into Heaven using Jacob's Ladder and confronts his younger self.
XLI: Of Compromises in Heaven
Confronts the God of his grandmother, expresses his lack of faith and search for justice, and ultimately accepts the compromise of Heaven as an illusion for believers.
XLII: Twelve That Are Fretted Hourly
Leaves Heaven through a private door, discusses his mother Azra and his lost cross, and decides to return to Amneran Heath.
XLIII: Postures Before a Shadow
Returns to Amneran Heath, confronts Mother Sereda, loses the gift of youth and becomes old again.
In the Manager's Office
Journeys through the cave, confronts Koshchei, and requests his wife Lisa back.
XLV: The Faith of Guenevere
Jurgen is troubled by Guenevere's lack of recognition and reflects on his lost youth, faith, and a past disillusioning love. He ultimately bids her farewell.
XLVI: The Desire of Anaïtis
Now a man of forty and something, Jurgen resists Anaïtis's temptations, reflecting on his past and feeling weary and uncertain.
XLVII: The Vision of Helen
Kneels before Helen, confesses his failed quest and transformation into a lackey of prudence, and bids her farewell.
Candid Opinions of Dame Lisa
Reflects on aging and his past adventures, decides to return to his wife Lisa.
XLIX: Of the Compromise with Koshchei
Negotiates with Koshchei for Lisa's release, reflects on his marriage, and is left uncertain about the reality of his experiences.
L: The Moment That Did Not Count
Returns home after his adventures, reflects on his past love for Dorothy and the compromises of age, and resumes his life with Lisa.
