| The first excerpt represents the past or something you must release, and is drawn from The Memorabilia by Xenophon: comprehensive "if" to be considered: if you will further authorise me
to say that you are devoted to your friends; that nothing gives you so
much joy as a good friend; that you pride yourself no less on the fine
deeds of those you love than on your own; and on their good things
equally with your own; that you never weary of plotting and planning
to procure them a rich harvest of the same; and lastly, that you have
discovered a man's virtue is to excel his friends in kindness and his
foes in hostility. If I am authorised thus to report of you, I think
you will find me a serviceable fellow-hunter in the quest of friends,
which is the conquest of the good.
Cri. Why this appeal to me?--as if you had not free permission to say
The Memorabilia |
The second excerpt represents the present or the deciding factor of the moment, and is drawn from Betty Zane by Zane Grey: followed a horrible mingling of snarls and barks, and snapping of jaws as the
band fought over the body of their luckless comrade.
This short delay gave the advantage to the horses. When the wolves again
appeared they were a long way behind. The distance to the fort was now short
and the horses were urged to their utmost. The wolves kept up the chase until
they reached the creek bridge and the mill. Then they slowed up: the howling
became desultory, and finally the dark forms disappeared in the thickets.
CHAPTER VIII.
Winter dragged by uneventfully for Betty. Unlike the other pioneer girls, who
were kept busy all the time with their mending, and linsey weaving, and
household duties, Betty had nothing to divert her but her embroidery and her
Betty Zane |
The third excerpt represents the future or something you must embrace, and is drawn from The Tanach: Numbers 22: 22 And God's anger was kindled because he went; and the angel of the LORD placed himself in the way for an adversary against him. --Now he was riding upon his ass, and his two servants were with him.--
Numbers 22: 23 And the ass saw the angel of the LORD standing in the way, with his sword drawn in his hand; and the ass turned aside out of the way, and went into the field; and Balaam smote the ass, to turn her into the way.
Numbers 22: 24 Then the angel of the LORD stood in a hollow way between the vineyards, a fence being on this side, and a fence on that side.
Numbers 22: 25 And the ass saw the angel of the LORD, and she thrust herself unto the wall, and crushed Balaam's foot against the wall; and he smote her again.
Numbers 22: 26 And the angel of the LORD went further, and stood in a narrow place, where was no way to turn either to the right hand or to the left.
Numbers 22: 27 And the ass saw the angel of the LORD, and she lay down under Balaam; and Balaam's anger was kindled, and he smote the ass with his staff.
Numbers 22: 28 And the LORD opened the mouth of the ass, and she said unto Balaam: 'What have I done unto thee, that thou hast smitten me these three times?'
Numbers 22: 29 And Balaam said unto the ass: 'Because thou hast mocked me; I would there were a sword in my hand, for now I had killed thee.'
Numbers 22: 30 And the ass said unto Balaam: 'Am not I thine ass, upon which thou hast ridden all thy life long unto this day? was I ever wont to do so unto thee?' And he said: 'Nay.'
The Tanach |
