| The first excerpt represents the past or something you must release, and is drawn from On Horsemanship by Xenophon: bestrides. First, then, he should take the leading rein, which hangs
from the chin-strap or nose-band,[2] conveniently in his left hand,
held slack so as not to jerk the horse's mouth, whether he means to
mount by hoisting himself up, catching hold of the mane behind the
ears, or to vault on to horseback by help of his spear. With the right
hand he should grip the reins along with a tuft of hair beside the
shoulder-joint,[3] so that he may not in any way wrench the horse's
mouth with the bit while mounting. In the act of taking the spring off
the ground for mounting,[4] he should hoist his body by help of the
left hand, and with the right at full stretch assist the upward
movement[5] (a position in mounting which will present a graceful
On Horsemanship |
The second excerpt represents the present or the deciding factor of the moment, and is drawn from Egmont by Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe: sudden outbreak of royal displeasure. Consider the matter closely, and he
is alone responsible for the whole mischief that has broken out in
Flanders. From the first, he connived at the proceedings of the foreign
teachers, avoided stringent measures, and perhaps rejoiced in secret that
they gave us so much to do. Let me alone; on this occasion, I will give
utterance to that which weighs upon my heart; I will not shoot my arrow in
vain. I know where he is vulnerable. For he is vulnerable.
Machiavel. Have you summoned the council? Will Orange attend?
Regent. I have sent for him to Antwerp. I will lay upon their shoulders the
burden of responsibility; they shall either strenuously co-operate with me
in quelling the evil, or at once declare themselves rebels. Let the letters be
Egmont |
The third excerpt represents the future or something you must embrace, and is drawn from The Red Badge of Courage by Stephen Crane: this derned old--"
The friend seemed jaded, but he interrupted
his comrade with a voice of calm confidence.
"It'll turn out all right in th' end," he said.
"Oh, the devil it will! You always talk like a
dog-hanged parson. Don't tell me! I know--"
At this time there was an interposition by the
savage-minded lieutenant, who was obliged to
vent some of his inward dissatisfaction upon his
men. "You boys shut right up! There no
need 'a your wastin' your breath in long-winded
The Red Badge of Courage |
