--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Good evening, Lord Corwin,' said the…" description: "\"Good evening, Lord Corwin,' said the lean, cadaverous figure who rested against a storage rack, smoking his pipe, grinning around it. Good evening, Rog..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9ff/roger-zelazny-1604_bats_good-evening-lord-corwin-said-the-lean-c_2633846.jpg" --- # Good evening, Lord Corwin,' said the lean, cadaverous… ![“Good evening, Lord Corwin,' said the lean, cadaverous figure who rested against a storage rack, smoking his pipe, grinning around it. Good evening, Roger. How are things in the nether world?' A rat, a bat, a spider. Nothing much else astir. Peaceful.' You enjoy this duty?' He nodded. I am writing…” quote by Roger Zelazny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9ff/roger-zelazny-1604_bats_good-evening-lord-corwin-said-the-lean-c_2633846.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9ff/roger-zelazny-1604_bats_good-evening-lord-corwin-said-the-lean-c_2633846.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9ff/roger-zelazny-1604_bats_good-evening-lord-corwin-said-the-lean-c_2633846.jpg) > “Good evening, Lord Corwin,' said the lean, cadaverous figure who rested against a storage rack, smoking his pipe, grinning around it. Good evening, Roger. How are things in the nether world?' A rat, a bat, a spider. Nothing much else astir. Peaceful.' You enjoy this duty?' He nodded. I am writing a philosophical romance shot through with elements of horror and morbidity. I work on those parts down here.” [Roger Zelazny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-zelazny/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A character describes a surreal, horror‑tinged scene, blending philosophical romance with macabre imagery, highlighting the thin line between duty and dread. **In simple terms:** A dark, philosophical romance explores duty amid horror. Key Takeaway Embrace the strange to discover deeper meaning. Themes fantasy horror philosophical romance Mood mysterious thoughtful Type literary inspirational When to use this quote - creative writing - role‑playing games - artistic inspiration - psychological analysis Key Concepts existentialism dualism dark humor Questions to Reflect On - How does horror enhance philosophical themes? - What does “duty” mean in a surreal world? A Different Perspective The tone may alienate readers seeking lighter fare. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Bats](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bats/) [Duty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/duty/) [Elements](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/elements/) [Enjoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/enjoy/) [Evening](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/evening/) [Figures](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/figures/) [Good evening](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/good-evening/) [Grinning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/grinning/) [Horror](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/horror/) [Lord](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lord/) [Morbidity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/morbidity/) [Nodded Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nodded-writing-2212441/) [Peaceful](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/peaceful/) [Philosophical](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/philosophical/) [Philosophical Romance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/philosophical-romance-2212443/) [Pipe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pipe/) [Racks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/racks/) [Rats](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rats/) [Roger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/roger/) [Romance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/romance/) [Said](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/said/) [Shots](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shots/) [Smoking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/smoking/) [Spiders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/spiders/) [Storage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/storage/) [Things Nether](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/things-nether-2212442/) [World](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/world/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) [Writing Philosophical](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing-philosophical-2212444/) ## Related quotes > [Quite early on, and certainly since I started writing, I found that philosophical questions occupied me more than any other kind. I hadn't really…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-stoppard/quite-early-on-and-certainly-since-i-started-writing-i-found-that/) [Tom Stoppard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-stoppard/) > [“People may have to die, but morbidity will live forever.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mara-wilson/people-may-have-to-die-but-morbidity-will-live-forever/) [Mara Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mara-wilson/) > [We must not concentrate overmuch upon our feelings. 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It is the desire to participate in a moment when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maya-deren/it-is-not-morbidity-which-draws-crowds-to-scenes-of-disaster-or/) [Maya Deren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maya-deren/) > [But the morbidity of sorrow-not cultivated sorrow, but that which comes inevitably-is often a productive sluggishness, a time when the soul slows down, too…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-g-wilson/but-the-morbidity-of-sorrow-not-cultivated-sorrow-but-that-which/) [Eric G. Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-g-wilson/) > [Mysticism keeps mankind sane. As long as you have mystery you have health; when you destroy mystery you create morbidity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gilbert-k-chesterton/mysticism-keeps-mankind-sane-as-long-as-you-have-mystery-you-have/) [Gilbert K. Chesterton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gilbert-k-chesterton/) > [“Morbidity and Mortality Rounds Forgive me, body before me, for this. Forgive me for my bumbling hands, unschooled in how to touch: I meant…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rafael-campo/morbidity-and-mortality-rounds-forgive-me-body-before-me-for-this/) [Rafael Campo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rafael-campo/) > [“There is no doubt that healthy-mindedness is inadequate as a philosophical doctrine, because the evil facts which it positively refuses to account for are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-james/there-is-no-doubt-that-healthy-mindedness-is-inadequate-as-a/) [William James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-james/) > [Studies have indicated there is a strong correlation between the shortages of nurses and morbidity and mortality rates in our hospitals.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lois-capps/studies-have-indicated-there-is-a-strong-correlation-between-the/) [Lois Capps](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lois-capps/) > [Historically the opposition to abortion and birth control ... stemmed from the urgency of the need to decrease the mortality and morbidity rates and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edith-summerskill-baroness-summerskill/historically-the-opposition-to-abortion-and-birth-control-stemmed/) [Edith Summerskill, Baroness Summerskill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edith-summerskill-baroness-summerskill/) > [The benefits of a modest warming would outweigh the costs - by $8.4 billion a year in 1990 dollars by the year 2060, according…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-l-bast/the-benefits-of-a-modest-warming-would-outweigh-the-costs-by-8-4/) [Joseph L. Bast](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-l-bast/) ## More by Roger Zelazny > [“I was willing to die fighting, but it was senseless for all these men to go down with me. Perhaps my blood was tainted,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-zelazny/i-was-willing-to-die-fighting-but-it-was-senseless-for-all-these-men/) [Roger Zelazny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-zelazny/) > [I know, too, that death is the only god who comes when you call.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-zelazny/i-know-too-that-death-is-the-only-god-who-comes-when-you-call/) [Roger Zelazny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-zelazny/) > [There's no such thing as civilization. The word just means the art of living in cities.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-zelazny/there-s-no-such-thing-as-civilization-the-word-just-means-the-art-of/) [Roger Zelazny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-zelazny/) > [“Time, too, is a function of Shadow, and even Dworkin did not know all of its ins and outs. Or perhaps he did. Maybe…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-zelazny/time-too-is-a-function-of-shadow-and-even-dworkin-did-not-know-all-of/) [Roger Zelazny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-zelazny/) > [I've always been impulsive. My thinking is usually pretty good, but I always seem to do it after I do my talking — by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-zelazny/i-ve-always-been-impulsive-my-thinking-is-usually-pretty-good-but-i/) [Roger Zelazny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-zelazny/) > [“And again, damn. Of troubles I considered myself amply possessed. But those who have do seem to get. Some spiritual form of compound interest,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-zelazny/and-again-damn-of-troubles-i-considered-myself-amply-possessed-but/) [Roger Zelazny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-zelazny/) > [“Far below, the ocean was a bluegray rug being pulled out from beneath us.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-zelazny/far-below-the-ocean-was-a-bluegray-rug-being-pulled-out-from-beneath/) [Roger Zelazny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-zelazny/) > [A powerful flight of the imagination . . . an entirely enjoyable reading experience, wrought by a pair of writers noted for excellence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-zelazny/a-powerful-flight-of-the-imagination-an-entirely-enjoyable-reading/) [Roger Zelazny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-zelazny/) > [The function of criticism should not be confused with the function of reform.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-zelazny/the-function-of-criticism-should-not-be-confused-with-the-function-of/) [Roger Zelazny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-zelazny/) > [I always wanted to write, ever since I was a kid. I started writing at the age of 11. All I wanted to do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-zelazny/i-always-wanted-to-write-ever-since-i-was-a-kid-i-started-writing-at/) [Roger Zelazny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-zelazny/) > [While I had often said that I wanted to die in bed, what I really meant was that in my old age I wanted…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-zelazny/while-i-had-often-said-that-i-wanted-to-die-in-bed-what-i-really/) [Roger Zelazny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-zelazny/) > [“That was the first time in my life that I knew the meaning of despair. I read, I worked, I drank, I whored, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-zelazny/that-was-the-first-time-in-my-life-that-i-knew-the-meaning-of-despair/) [Roger Zelazny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-zelazny/) > [“I watched until the sizzlecloud drew its legs up into itself, hung like a burning cocoon, then died like an ember retreating into ash.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-zelazny/i-watched-until-the-sizzlecloud-drew-its-legs-up-into-itself-hung/) [Roger Zelazny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-zelazny/) > [To waste! You are unknown and unwanted, save by me. This, because you are fairly adept at the various embalming arts and you occasionally…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-zelazny/to-waste-you-are-unknown-and-unwanted-save-by-me-this-because-you-are/) [Roger Zelazny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-zelazny/) > [I watched the spinning stars, grateful, sad and proud, as only a man who has outlived his destiny and realizes he might yet forge…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-zelazny/i-watched-the-spinning-stars-grateful-sad-and-proud-as-only-a-man-who/) [Roger Zelazny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-zelazny/) [Explore all 220 Roger Zelazny quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-zelazny/) ## More Bats quotes > [Some people enjoy taking a light stroll in the morning and that gives them relief and that sort of feeling. That is what I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ichiro-suzuki/some-people-enjoy-taking-a-light-stroll-in-the-morning-and-that-gives/) [Ichiro Suzuki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ichiro-suzuki/) > [When (the Reds) won, we loved it because we ran into the locker room and touched all the bats and gloves and got some…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ken-griffey-jr-2/when-the-reds-won-we-loved-it-because-we-ran-into-the-locker-room-and/) [Ken Griffey, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ken-griffey-jr-2/) > [It's good to find the barrel of the bat again.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chase-utley/it-s-good-to-find-the-barrel-of-the-bat-again/) [Chase Utley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chase-utley/) > [A lot of hitters stay away from the plate, some are close up, some are forward, some are back. The thing about hitting is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stan-musial/a-lot-of-hitters-stay-away-from-the-plate-some-are-close-up-some-are/) [Stan Musial](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stan-musial/) > [Mass-market movies have become about one thing. They kind of declare themselves right off the bat. . . . But when I go to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-hanks/mass-market-movies-have-become-about-one-thing-they-kind-of-declare/) [Tom Hanks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-hanks/) > [I am a frayed and nibbled survivor in a fallen world, and I am getting along. I am aging and eaten and have done…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/annie-dillard/i-am-a-frayed-and-nibbled-survivor-in-a-fallen-world-and-i-am-getting/) [Annie Dillard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/annie-dillard/) > [Went out again to the harbour in sydney... and saw some bats that were probably bigger than meowingtons.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-zimmerman/went-out-again-to-the-harbour-in-sydney-and-saw-some-bats-that-were/) [Joel Zimmerman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-zimmerman/) > [Isn't it odd? A guy bats .301 and has 35 homers. Then everybody starts to tell him what a good fielder he has become.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dick-stuart/isn-t-it-odd-a-guy-bats-301-and-has-35-homers-then-everybody-starts/) [Dick Stuart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dick-stuart/) > [The beanball is one of the meanest things on Earth and no decent fellow would use it. The beanball is a potential murderer. If…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-johnson/the-beanball-is-one-of-the-meanest-things-on-earth-and-no-decent/) [Walter Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-johnson/) > [Pro-rated at 500 at-bats a year that means that for two years out of the fourteen I played, I never even touched the ball.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norm-cash/pro-rated-at-500-at-bats-a-year-that-means-that-for-two-years-out-of/) [Norm Cash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norm-cash/) > [(At the back of the cave, Phoebe placed her hand against one of the stones where a spring release opened an elevator door. Chris…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sherrilyn-kenyon/at-the-back-of-the-cave-phoebe-placed-her-hand-against-one-of-the/) [Sherrilyn Kenyon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sherrilyn-kenyon/) > [A failure becomes just one time at bat if you refuse to let it defeat you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marv-levy/a-failure-becomes-just-one-time-at-bat-if-you-refuse-to-let-it-defeat/) [Marv Levy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marv-levy/) > [Don't pick on your sister when she's holding a baseball bat.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-osteen/don-t-pick-on-your-sister-when-she-s-holding-a-baseball-bat/) [Joel Osteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-osteen/) > [The fans know that I don't give at-bats away.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-ortiz/the-fans-know-that-i-don-t-give-at-bats-away/) [David Ortiz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-ortiz/) > [I grew up in the '60s, which was a creative time, so it wasn't that big of a stretch to go from a baseball…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abel-ferrara/i-grew-up-in-the-60s-which-was-a-creative-time-so-it-wasn-t-that-big/) [Abel Ferrara](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abel-ferrara/) [Browse all 576 Bats quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bats/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Good evening, Lord Corwin,' said the lean, cadaverous figure who rested against a storage rack, smoking his pipe, grinning around it. Good evening, Roger. How are things in the nether world?' A rat, a bat, a spider. Nothing much else astir. Peaceful.' You enjoy this duty?' He nodded. I am writing a philosophical romance shot through with elements of horror and morbidity. 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