| The first excerpt represents the past or something you must release, and is drawn from Ferragus by Honore de Balzac: Monsieur le Vidame de Pamiers and myself during his first attack
of frenzy. We think it right, therefore, to warn you of his
malady, which is, we hope, curable; but it will have such serious
and important effects on the honor of our family and the career of
my grandson that we must rely, monsieur, on your entire
discretion.
If Monsieur le Vidame or I could have gone to see you we would not
have written. But I make no doubt that you will regard this prayer
of a mother, who begs you to destroy this letter.
Accept the assurance of my perfect consideration.
Baronne de Maulincour, /nee/ de Rieux.
Ferragus |
The second excerpt represents the present or the deciding factor of the moment, and is drawn from The Arrow of Gold by Joseph Conrad: bigger than my two hands for his shaving. One Sunday I crept into
his room and had a peep at myself. And wasn't I startled to see my
own eyes looking at me! But it was fascinating, too. I was about
eleven years old then, and I was very friendly with the goats, and
I was as shrill as a cicada and as slender as a match. Heavens!
When I overhear myself speaking sometimes, or look at my limbs, it
doesn't seem to be possible. And yet it is the same one. I do
remember every single goat. They were very clever. Goats are no
trouble really; they don't scatter much. Mine never did even if I
had to hide myself out of their sight for ever so long."
It was but natural to ask her why she wanted to hide, and she
The Arrow of Gold |
The third excerpt represents the future or something you must embrace, and is drawn from The Tanach: Psalms 11: 5 The LORD trieth the righteous; but the wicked and him that loveth violence His soul hateth.
Psalms 11: 6 Upon the wicked He will cause to rain coals; fire and brimstone and burning wind shall be the portion of their cup.
Psalms 11: 7 For the LORD is righteous, He loveth righteousness; the upright shall behold His face.
Psalms 12: 1 (12:1) For the Leader; on the Sheminith. A Psalm of David. (12:2) Help, LORD; for the godly man ceaseth; for the faithful fail from among the children of men.
Psalms 12: 2 (12:3) They speak falsehood every one with his neighbour; with flattering lip, and with a double heart, do they speak.
Psalms 12: 3 (12:4) May the LORD cut off all flattering lips, the tongue that speaketh proud things!
Psalms 12: 4 (12:5) Who have said: 'Our tongue will we make mighty; our lips are with us: who is lord over us?'
Psalms 12: 5 (12:6) 'For the oppression of the poor, for the sighing of the needy, now will I arise', saith the LORD; 'I will set him in safety at whom they puff.'
Psalms 12: 6 (12:7) The words of the LORD are pure words, as silver tried in a crucible on the earth, refined seven times.
Psalms 12: 7 (12:8) Thou wilt keep them, O LORD; Thou wilt preserve us from this generation for ever.
Psalms 12: 8 (12:9) The wicked walk on every side, when vileness is exalted among the sons of men.
The Tanach |
