| The first excerpt represents the past or something you must release, and is drawn from The Light of Western Stars by Zane Grey: Madeline's curiosity changed to blank astonishment, which left
her with a thrilling premonition. She caught her breath. A
thousand thoughts seemed thronging for clear conception in her
mind.
Rapid footsteps with an accompaniment of clinking spurs sounded
in the hallway. Then a young man ran out upon the porch. He
resembled a cowboy in his lithe build, his garb and action, in
the way he wore his gun, but his face, instead of being red, was
clear brown tan. His eyes were blue; his hair was light and
curly. He was a handsome, frank-faced boy. At sight of Madeline
he slammed down his sombrero and, leaping at her, he possessed
 The Light of Western Stars |
The second excerpt represents the present or the deciding factor of the moment, and is drawn from House of Seven Gables by Nathaniel Hawthorne: years older than itself. He startle me!--Oh, no indeed!"
"I rejoice to hear so favorable and so ingenuous an account of
my cousin Clifford," said the benevolent Judge. "Many years ago,
when we were boys and young men together, I had a great affection
for him, and still feel a tender interest in all his concerns.
You say, Cousin Phoebe, he appears to be weak minded. Heaven
grant him at least enough of intellect to repent of his past sins!"
"Nobody, I fancy," observed Phoebe, "can have fewer to repent of."
"And is it possible, my dear" rejoined the Judge, with a
commiserating look," that you have never heard of Clifford
Pyncheon?--that you know nothing of his history? Well, it is all
 House of Seven Gables |
The third excerpt represents the future or something you must embrace, and is drawn from Jerusalem Delivered by Torquato Tasso: This king upon an elephant is borne,
For under him no horse can stir or stand;
The third is Tisipherne, as brave a lord
As ever put on helm or girt on sword."
CXXVI
This said, from young Rinaldo's angry eyes,
Flew sparks of wrath, flames in his visage shined,
He longed to be amid those enemies,
Nor rest nor reason in his heart could find.
But to the Duke Vafrine his talk applies,
"The greatest news, my lord, are yet behind,
|