| The first excerpt represents the past or something you must release, and is drawn from The Letters of Robert Louis Stevenson by Robert Louis Stevenson: doctor said, and I should have been past salvation. I think I
shall always think of it as my best work. There is one page in
Part II., about having got to shore, and sich, which must have cost
me altogether six hours of work as miserable as ever I went
through. I feel sick even to think of it. - Ever your friend,
R. L. S.
Letter: TO SIDNEY COLVIN
[SAN FRANCISCO, MAY 1880.]
MY DEAR COLVIN, - I received your letter and proof to-day, and was
greatly delighted with the last.
I am now out of danger; in but a short while (I.E. as soon as the
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The second excerpt represents the present or the deciding factor of the moment, and is drawn from Letters of Two Brides by Honore de Balzac: the victim, the accuser, the counsel, judge, and executioner. The
cruelest treachery, the most heartless crimes, are those which remain
for ever concealed, with two hearts alone for witness. How indeed
should the victim proclaim them without injury to herself? Love,
therefore, has its own code, its own penal system, with which the
world has no concern.
Now, for my part, I have resolved never to pardon a serious
misdemeanor, and in love, pray, what is not serious? Yesterday you had
all the air of a man successful in his suit. You would be wrong to
doubt it; and yet, if this assurance robbed you of the charming
simplicity which sprang from uncertainty, I should blame you severely.
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The third excerpt represents the future or something you must embrace, and is drawn from The Koran: whom slaughter was written down, would have gone forth to fight even
to where they are lying now; that God may try what is in your
breasts and assay what is in your hearts, for God doth know the nature
of men's breasts.'
Verily, those of you who turned your backs on that day when the
two armies met, it was but Satan who made them slip for something they
had earned. But God has now pardoned them; verily, God is forgiving
and clement.
O ye who believe! be not like those who misbelieve, and say unto
their brethren when they knock about in the earth, or are upon a raid,
'Had they but been at home, they had not died and had not been
The Koran |
