| The first excerpt represents the past or something you must release, and is drawn from Enemies of Books by William Blades: a few weeks before his death:--
"Of course, we also, in Holland, have many Enemies of books, and if I were
happy enough to have your spirit and style I would try and write a companion
volume to yours. Now I think the best thing I can do is to give you
somewhat of my experience. You say that the discovery of printing has made
the destruction of anybody's books difficult. At this I am bound to say that
the Inquisition did succeed most successfully, by burning heretical books,
in destroying numerous volumes invaluable for their wholesome contents.
Indeed, I beg to state to you the amazing fact that here in Holland exists an
Ultramontane Society called `Old Paper,'which is under the sanction of the six
Catholic Bishops of the Netherlands, and is spread over the whole kingdom.
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The second excerpt represents the present or the deciding factor of the moment, and is drawn from The Divine Comedy (translated by H.F. Cary) by Dante Alighieri: Of questioning my guide arose, and fell,
Arriving even to the act, that marks
A man prepar'd for speech. Him all our haste
Restrain'd not, but thus spake the sire belov'd:
Fear not to speed the shaft, that on thy lip
Stands trembling for its flight." Encourag'd thus
I straight began: "How there can leanness come,
Where is no want of nourishment to feed?"
"If thou," he answer'd, "hadst remember'd thee,
How Meleager with the wasting brand
Wasted alike, by equal fires consm'd,
The Divine Comedy (translated by H.F. Cary) |
The third excerpt represents the future or something you must embrace, and is drawn from Scenes from a Courtesan's Life by Honore de Balzac: Marquise.
"That is no concern of ours," replied the Duchess. "He is certainly
incapable of stealing the money.--Besides, we would never give
Clotilde to an intriguing or dishonest man even if he were handsome,
young, and a poet, like Monsieur de Rubempre."
"You are late this evening," said Clotilde, smiling at Lucien with
infinite graciousness.
"Yes, I have been dining out."
"You have been quite gay these last few days," said she, concealing
her jealousy and anxiety behind a smile.
"Quite gay?" replied Lucien. "No--only by the merest chance I have
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