| The first excerpt represents the past or something you must release, and is drawn from Frankenstein by Mary Shelley: of my native country. We visited the wondrous cave and the little
cabinets of natural history, where the curiosities are disposed
in the same manner as in the collections at Servox and Chamounix.
The latter name made me tremble when pronounced by Henry,
and I hastened to quit Matlock, with which that terrible
scene was thus associated.
From Derby, still journeying northwards, we passed two months in
Cumberland and Westmorland. I could now almost fancy myself among
the Swiss mountains. The little patches of snow which yet lingered
on the northern sides of the mountains, the lakes, and the dashing
of the rocky streams were all familiar and dear sights to me.
Frankenstein |
The second excerpt represents the present or the deciding factor of the moment, and is drawn from The Lily of the Valley by Honore de Balzac: though the count's madness, lulled for a short time, was demanding its
arrearages from the poor wife.
That day I had started from Frapesle at half-past ten to search for
flowers with Madeleine. The child had brought the two vases to the
portico, and I was wandering about the gardens and adjoining meadows
gathering the autumn flowers, so beautiful, but too rare. Returning
from my final quest, I could not find my little lieutenant with her
white cape and broad pink sash; but I heard cries within the house,
and Madeleine presently came running out.
"The general," she said, crying (the term with her was an expression
of dislike), "the general is scolding mamma; go and defend her."
The Lily of the Valley |
The third excerpt represents the future or something you must embrace, and is drawn from The Battle of the Books by Jonathan Swift: not without some expectation, the fulfilling of Mr. Bickerstaff's
second prediction, that the Cardinal do Noailles is to die upon the
4th of April, and if that should be verified as exactly as this of
poor Partridge, I must own I should be wholly surprised, and at a
loss, and should infallibly expect the accomplishment of all the
rest.
CHAPTER V - BAUCIS AND PHILEMON.
IMITATED FROM THE EIGHTH BOOK OF OVID.
IN ancient times, as story tells,
The saints would often leave their cells,
And stroll about, but hide their quality,
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