gold the outer edges of the woods; the stream ran purple and fire, and the ceaseless sighing of its waters sounded soft as foliage stirring on high pines.

I said to the Mole in a low voice:

“Brother in Christ, do you find consolation and peace in your Testament when the whole land lies writhing under the talons and bloody beak of war?”

The Stockbridge warrior looked up quietly:

“I read the promise of the Prince of Peace, brother, who came to the world not bearing a sword.”

“He came to fulfill, not to destroy,” I said.

“So it is written, brother.”

“And yet you and I, His followers, go forth armed to slay.”