| The first excerpt represents the past or something you must release, and is drawn from Rasselas, Prince of Abyssinia by Samuel Johnson: talked of the right of society to the labour of individuals, and
considered retirement as a desertion of duty. Others readily
allowed that there was a time when the claims of the public were
satisfied, and when a man might properly sequester himself, to
review his life and purify his heart.
One who appeared more affected with the narrative than the rest
thought it likely that the hermit would in a few years go back to
his retreat, and perhaps, if shame did not restrain or death
intercept him, return once more from his retreat into the world.
"For the hope of happiness," said he, "is so strongly impressed
that the longest experience is not able to efface it. Of the
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The second excerpt represents the present or the deciding factor of the moment, and is drawn from Kwaidan by Lafcadio Hearn: said to him:--
In the southwestern part of Our dominion there is an island called Raishu.
We have now appointed you Governor of that island. You will find the people
loyal and docile; but their laws have not yet been brought into proper
accord with the laws of Tokoyo; and their customs have not been properly
regulated. We entrust you with the duty of improving their social condition
as far as may be possible; and We desire that you shall rule them with
kindness and wisdom. All preparations necessary for your journey to Raishu
have already been made."
So Akinosuke and his bride departed from the palace of Tokoyo, accompanied
to the shore by a great escort of nobles and officials; and they embarked
Kwaidan |
The third excerpt represents the future or something you must embrace, and is drawn from The Golden Threshold by Sarojini Naidu: blowing?
Would you leave the mother who on golden
grain has fed you?
Would you grieve the lover who is riding forth
to wed you?
Mother mine, to the wild forest I am going,
Where upon the champa boughs the champa
buds are blowing;
To the koil-haunted river-isles where lotus lilies
glisten,
The voices of the fairy folk are calling me:
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