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Snake and Sword: A Novel

Chapter 21: EPILOGUE.
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About This Book

A military man’s private and public courage is tested by a sequence of domestic crisis, moral trials, and violent encounters that reforge character. After the husband impulsively pins his war decoration on his wife following her endurance of a terrifying snake incident while pregnant, a circle of officers, servants, and lovers navigate shame, loyalty, obsession with form, and conflicting loyalties. Structured in three parts—welding, searing, and saving of a soul—the narrative moves between intimate peril, regimented life, and later reckonings that probe fear, self‑sacrifice, pride, and the possibility of redemption for flawed conduct and damaged affections.

EPILOGUE.

Is it well, O my Soul, is it well?

        In silent aisles of sombre tone
        Where phantoms roam, thou dwell’st apart
        In drear alone.
        Where serpents coil and night-birds dart
        Thou liest prone, O Heart, my Heart,
        In dread unknown.
        O Soul of Night, surpassing fair,
        Guide this poor spirit through the air,
        And thus atone …

This sad Soul, searching for the light….

O Soul of Night, enstarréd bright,
        Shine over all.
        Enforce thy right to fend for us
        Extend thy power to fight for us
        Raise thou night’s pall.
        Ensteep our minds in loveliness
        In all sweet hope and godliness
        Give guard o’er all …
This brave Soul striving in stern fight….

Thou soul of Night, thou spirit-elf,
        Rise up and bless.
        Help us to cleanse in holiness
        Show how to dress in saintliness
        Our weary selves,
        Expurge our deeds of earthiness
        Expunge desires of selfliness
        Rise up and bless …
This strong Soul dying in such plight….


        Night gently spreads her wings and flies
        Star-laden, wide across the skies.
        My Soul, new strong,
        So late enstained with earthly dust
        So long estranged in wander-lust
        Gives praise and song,
        Strives to create in morning light
        The starry wonders of the night
        In praise and song …

This strong Soul praising in new right.
It is well, O my Soul, it is well….

A. L. WREN.