| The first excerpt represents the past or something you must release, and is drawn from The Dynamiter by Robert Louis Stevenson and Fanny Van De Grift Stevenson: prepared the sacrifice in which thy soul delighteth - the kid
without the horns?'
Even as she uttered the words, there was a great rumour of
joy through all the circle of worshippers; it rose, and fell,
and rose again; and swelled at last into rapture, when the
tall negro, who had stepped an instant into the chapel,
reappeared before the door, carrying in his arms the body of
the slave-girl, Cora. I know not if I saw what followed.
When next my mind awoke to a clear knowledge, Cora was laid
upon the steps before the serpents; the negro with the knife
stood over her; the knife rose; and at this I screamed out in
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The second excerpt represents the present or the deciding factor of the moment, and is drawn from Prince Otto by Robert Louis Stevenson: case a mere messenger; and as such, I am not clothed with any
capacity to communicate the documents I carry. Herr Doctor, I am
convinced you will not fail to bear me out.'
'I have heard a great deal of nonsense,' said Gotthold, 'and most of
it from you; but this beats all.'
'Come, sir,' said Otto, rising, 'the papers. I command.'
Herr Greisengesang instantly gave way.
'With your Highness's permission,' he said, 'and laying at his feet
my most submiss apologies, I will now hasten to attend his further
orders in the Chancery.'
'Herr Cancellarius, do you see this chair?' said Otto. 'There is
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The third excerpt represents the future or something you must embrace, and is drawn from Statesman by Plato: legislator, or another like him, comes back from a far country, is he to be
prohibited from altering his own laws? The common people say: Let a man
persuade the city first, and then let him impose new laws. But is a
physician only to cure his patients by persuasion, and not by force? Is he
a worse physician who uses a little gentle violence in effecting the cure?
Or shall we say, that the violence is just, if exercised by a rich man, and
unjust, if by a poor man? May not any man, rich or poor, with or without
law, and whether the citizens like or not, do what is for their good? The
pilot saves the lives of the crew, not by laying down rules, but by making
his art a law, and, like him, the true governor has a strength of art which
is superior to the law. This is scientific government, and all others are
Statesman |
