| The first excerpt represents the past or something you must release, and is drawn from The Duchesse de Langeais by Honore de Balzac: The families of Langeais and Navarreins remained about the Court,
condemned to perform the duties required by Court ceremonial amid
the reproaches and sneers of the Liberal party. They were
accused of gorging themselves with riches and honours, and all
the while their family estates were no larger than before, and
liberal allowances from the civil list were wholly expended in
keeping up the state necessary for any European government, even
if it be a Republic.
In 1818, M. le Duc de Langeais commanded a division of the army,
and the Duchess held a post about one of the Princesses, in
virtue of which she was free to live in Paris and apart from her
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The second excerpt represents the present or the deciding factor of the moment, and is drawn from The Koran: rise up from thy place, for I therein am strong and faithful.'
He who had the knowledge of the Book said, 'I will bring it to
thee before thy glance can turn.' And when he saw it settled down
beside him, he said, 'This is of my Lord's grace, that He may try me
whether I am grateful or ungrateful, and he who is grateful is only
grateful for his own soul, and he who is ungrateful,- verily, my
Lord is rich and generous.'
Said he, 'Disguise for her her throne; let us see whether she is
guided, or whether she is of those who are not guided.' And when she
came it was said, 'Was thy throne like this?' She said, 'It might be
it;' and we were given knowledge before her, but we were resigned.
The Koran |
The third excerpt represents the future or something you must embrace, and is drawn from The Divine Comedy (translated by H.F. Cary) by Dante Alighieri: Or Tityus' help or Typhon's. Here is one
Can give what in this realm ye covet. Stoop
Therefore, nor scornfully distort thy lip.
He in the upper world can yet bestow
Renown on thee, for he doth live, and looks
For life yet longer, if before the time
Grace call him not unto herself." Thus spake
The teacher. He in haste forth stretch'd his hands,
And caught my guide. Alcides whilom felt
That grapple straighten'd score. Soon as my guide
Had felt it, he bespake me thus: "This way
The Divine Comedy (translated by H.F. Cary) |
