| The first excerpt represents the past or something you must release, and is drawn from Hellenica by Xenophon: fleet, and in front of him were ranged the ships of the Hellenic
squadron under Conon. Peisander had ventured to draw out his squadron
to meet the combined fleets, though the numerical inferiority of his
fleet to that of the Hellenic navy under Conon was conspicuous, and he
had the mortification of seeing the allies who formed his left wing
take to flight immediately. He himself came to close quarters with the
enemy, and was driven on shore, on board his trireme, under pressure
of the hostile rams. The rest, as many as were driven to shore,
deserted their ships and sought safety as best they could in the
territory of Cnidus. The admiral alone stuck to his ship, and fell
sword in hand.
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The second excerpt represents the present or the deciding factor of the moment, and is drawn from Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe: awaked out of my sleep by a voice calling me by my name several
times, "Robin, Robin, Robin Crusoe: poor Robin Crusoe! Where are
you, Robin Crusoe? Where are you? Where have you been?"
I was so dead asleep at first, being fatigued with rowing, or part
of the day, and with walking the latter part, that I did not wake
thoroughly; but dozing thought I dreamed that somebody spoke to me;
but as the voice continued to repeat, "Robin Crusoe, Robin Crusoe,"
at last I began to wake more perfectly, and was at first dreadfully
frightened, and started up in the utmost consternation; but no
sooner were my eyes open, but I saw my Poll sitting on the top of
the hedge; and immediately knew that it was he that spoke to me;
Robinson Crusoe |
The third excerpt represents the future or something you must embrace, and is drawn from Cratylus by Plato: 'That is a more artistic etymology.'
After psuche follows soma; this, by a slight permutation, may be either =
(1) the 'grave' of the soul, or (2) may mean 'that by which the soul
signifies (semainei) her wishes.' But more probably, the word is Orphic,
and simply denotes that the body is the place of ward in which the soul
suffers the penalty of sin,--en o sozetai. 'I should like to hear some
more explanations of the names of the Gods, like that excellent one of
Zeus.' The truest names of the Gods are those which they give themselves;
but these are unknown to us. Less true are those by which we propitiate
them, as men say in prayers, 'May he graciously receive any name by which I
call him.' And to avoid offence, I should like to let them know beforehand
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