| The first excerpt represents the past or something you must release, and is drawn from My Aunt Margaret's Mirror by Walter Scott: chiefly in consequence of the very uncommon splendour of its
illustrative accompaniments. The expenditure which the spirited
proprietors lavished on this magnificent volume is understood to
have been not less than from ten to twelve thousand pounds
sterling!
Various gentlemen of such literary reputation that any one might
think it an honour to be associated with them had been announced
as contributors to this Annual, before application was made to me
to assist in it; and I accordingly placed with much pleasure at
the Editor's disposal a few fragments, originally designed to
have been worked into the Chronicles of the Canongate, besides a
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The second excerpt represents the present or the deciding factor of the moment, and is drawn from The Gods of Mars by Edgar Rice Burroughs: I took up the fight once more. Two blacks went down
with our swords in their vitals, and we stood face to face
with Issus. As my sword went up to end her horrid career
her paralysis left her, and with an ear-piercing shriek she
turned to flee. Directly behind her a black gulf suddenly
yawned in the flooring of the dais. She sprang for the
opening with the youth and I close at her heels. Her scattered
guard rallied at her cry and rushed for us. A blow fell
upon the head of the youth. He staggered and would have
fallen, but I caught him in my left arm and turned to face
an infuriated mob of religious fanatics crazed by the affront
The Gods of Mars |
The third excerpt represents the future or something you must embrace, and is drawn from Salome by Oscar Wilde: UN PHARISIEN. Les anges existent, mais je ne crois pas que cet
homme leur ait parle.
LE PREMIER NAZAREEN. Il a ete vu par une foule de passants parlant
avec des anges.
UN SADDUCEEN. Pas avec des anges.
HERODIAS. Comme ils m'agacent, ces hommes! Ils sont betes. Ils
sont tout e fait betes. [Au page.] Eh! bien, mon eventail. [Le
page lui donne l'eventail.] Vous avez l'air de rever. Il ne faut
pas rever. Les reveurs sont des malades. [Elle frappe le page avec
son eventail.]
LE SECOND NAZAREEN. Aussi il y a le miracle de la fille de Jaire.
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