Poetry · Chapter
A Legend of Service explained
The Lord of Angels sends the angel Asmiel to the city Lupon to test three servants—Bernol, Malvin, and Fermor—by commanding each to go alone to Spiran's huts across the snow.
What happens
The Lord of Angels sends the angel Asmiel to the city Lupon to test three servants—Bernol, Malvin, and Fermor—by commanding each to go alone to Spiran's huts across the snow. Bernol questions 'why?', Malvin hesitates with 'how?', but Fermor eagerly asks 'when?' and is crowned for his perfect trust.
Themes in this chapter
Faith and Doubt
Bernol and Malvin doubt the divine command with 'why?' and 'how?', while Fermor's unquestioning faith earns the crown.
Love and Sacrifice
The test reveals which servant loves the Master best through willingness to obey without hesitation.
Duty and Patriotism
Fermor's immediate acceptance of the task exemplifies dutiful service to the Master.
Characters to notice
- Asmiel
The youngest angel, sent by the Lord of Angels to deliver the test to the three servants in Lupon.
- the Master
The Lord of Angels who devises the test to discover which servant loves Him best.
- Bernol
A wise preacher in Lupon who questions the command with 'why?' and fails the test.
- Malvin
A saintly sage weaving a web of wisdom who hesitates with 'how?' and fails the test.
- Fermor
A cheerful servant who eagerly asks 'when?' and is crowned for his perfect trust.
Key passages
“Lord, in the city Lupon I have found Three servants of thy holy name, renowned Above their fellows.”
Asmiel reports to the Lord that he has discovered three famous servants in Lupon.
Asmiel presents the three candidates to the Lord of Angels.
“Tell each of them his Master bids him go Alone to Spiran’s huts, across the snow; There he shall find a certain task for me: But what, I do not tell to them nor thee.”
The Master commands each servant to travel alone across the snow to Spiran's huts for an unspecified task.
The Lord gives Asmiel the test to deliver to the three servants.
“Till Bernol looked around and whispered, “ Why? ””
Bernol questions the command by asking 'why?'.
Bernol's response reveals his doubt and hesitation.
“With a doubtful brow He scanned the doubtful task, and muttered “ How? ””
Malvin looks at the task with uncertainty and asks 'how?'.
Malvin's reluctance shows his lack of trust.
“Ere Asmiel breathed again The eager answer leaped to meet him, “ When? ””
Before Asmiel could take another breath, Fermor eagerly asks 'when?'.
Fermor's immediate and willing response demonstrates his perfect trust.
“For thou hast met the Master’s hidden test, And I have found the man who loves Him best.”
You have passed the Master's secret test, and I have discovered the one who loves Him most.
Asmiel crowns Fermor for his unquestioning obedience.