(The prefix des-, meaning "two" or "apart", indicates that the descant is a "second song" apart from the main melody. In popular songs a descant will often be sung at the very end to produce a thrilling climax.)
This has all the epigraphs that I have used for my story - Deception - in one place, as well as those appearing in the story and one that I simply could not fit into the tale:
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0
Deception is saddest when it appears,
To be wrought from the bones of one's darkest fears;
Watered by cold remorse and shameful tears,
Only remorse it fosters, as long as it perseveres.
1
Deception starts small, with a mistake or a lie,
And yet keeps on growing, as days go by;
Difficult it becomes to deny or rectify,
A burden it remains till the day you die.
2
Beguilement is yet another name,
Where subtle charm is the rule of the game;
Warm words spoken, for passion to inflame,
And with soft smiles, the opposition you tame.
3
Under false appearances, when you hide,
Dissimulation is the name of your comely bride;
Gentle is her touch, yet she is firm a guide,
Misleading is the surety, she lends to your stride.
4
Prevarication is a lie, with a fancy label,
Though the truth to avoid, it does enable;
Frivolous is its support, you cannot be stable,
Once started, its progress, you cannot disable.
5
A sharp mind, a tone soft and cool,
Knowledge subtly used to bluff and fool;
Using mere words, effortlessly one does rule,
Equivocation is the lawyer's favourite tool.
6
Conversations go round and round,
As facts and fibs, they do easily expound;
Circumvention as ingenuity does abound,
And few answers to your questions are found.
7
Deception takes many a form,
And Concealment is a standard norm;
A white rose shelters a cheeky worm,
And sunny clouds hide a violent storm.
8
The truth hidden behind an elegant mask,
To know their true emotions, an impossible task;
A Façade it is, and in its fake warmth they bask,
Rarely tell the cold truth, however long you ask.
9
A planned operation, intending to cheat,
A buried secret, you are desperate to unseat;
It is a Sting, even though it could be sweet,
Or it could burn, if the unexpected you do meet.
10
You quibble and squabble, loud and long,
The argument sounds good, but is quite wrong;
Dig your feet in, take a stand real strong,
Sophism it is called, in the end, will bring you down.
11
Speciousness is a siren's song, meant to allure
The truth, in a glistening veil it does, obscure;
Even if you spend a lifetime, the lie to secure,
The truth will make its way out, slow and sure.
12
Confrontation is the toughest battle one can conceive,
As it pits facts against what you perceive;
For, when in a lie, you truly believe,
It is only yourself that you fully deceive.
13
Lay the bait, string him with flattering smile,
Twist your fingers, charm your way, use your wile;
Inducement is a fine lure, delicately does it rile,
The cracks you cause could be truly worth your while.
14
Honeyed words, sugary words, that is Sweet-talk,
As over hot coals, you plan to make him walk;
Lull him into comfort, as the truth you stalk,
With patience, the deep secret you might unlock.
15
The words you say are exactly what you mean,
And what is intended is not what is seen;
Idea and intent, Duplicity is the veil in-between,
Rarely can one, the hidden motives glean.
16
Clever, subtle, yet dishonest, if only a bit,
Take a daring chance, use all your vile and wit;
Craftiness is simple, as with lies you do flit,
Throw with aim, and the bull's eye you could hit.
17
Chicanery is subtle and artistic, but still a trick,
You intend to cheat, with actions smooth and slick;
Intrigue and skulduggery are the weapons you pick,
As insecurities, you play on, and egos, you prick.
18
A clever trick to evade or conceal,
A method to escape or a way to steal;
Subterfuge sure has a delicate appeal,
What you gained or lost, only time would reveal.
19
Fair on the outside and dishonest within,
Hide your motives as you gamble to win;
Bury your feelings real, under a fake grin,
Underhandedness is the truth with a crooked spin.
20
Sweet and subtle, the truth you bend,
With flowery speeches, you completely pretend;
That is Double-dealing, my dear friend,
Even if it is for a good cause, that you intend.
21
Song and Dance, a phrase quite nice,
And life, with a challenge, does at times, entice;
But if in your favour, destiny throws the dice,
Then it might, well, be worth the price.
22
How much would a love, found and told,
Exceed a silent love, in your heart you hold;
It is a Conundrum, a deceit, never to unfold,
As finally death, in her arms, does you enfold.
23
For deception, like life, is a beautiful lie,
The ugly truth is everything must die;
Yet a few lives, this rule do surely defy,
For in dying, its falseness they truly belie.
And here is the story: