| The first excerpt represents the past or something you must release, and is drawn from Under the Red Robe by Stanley Weyman: It took me some time to repair my wardrobe, so that I daresay it
was nearly ten when I left my dismal little room. I found Louis
waiting in the corridor, and he told me that Madame de Cocheforet
and Mademoiselle were in the rose garden, and would be pleased to
receive me. I nodded, and he guided me through several dim
passages to a parlour with an open door, through which the sun
shone gaily on the floor. Cheered by the morning air and this
sudden change to pleasantness and life, I stepped lightly out.
The two ladies were walking up and down a wide path which
bisected the garden. The weeds grew rankly in the gravel
underfoot, the rose bushes which bordered the walk thrust their
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The second excerpt represents the present or the deciding factor of the moment, and is drawn from Phaedrus by Plato: of a delicate and virgin soul, and there inspiring frenzy, awakens lyrical
and all other numbers; with these adorning the myriad actions of ancient
heroes for the instruction of posterity. But he who, having no touch of
the Muses' madness in his soul, comes to the door and thinks that he will
get into the temple by the help of art--he, I say, and his poetry are not
admitted; the sane man disappears and is nowhere when he enters into
rivalry with the madman.
I might tell of many other noble deeds which have sprung from inspired
madness. And therefore, let no one frighten or flutter us by saying that
the temperate friend is to be chosen rather than the inspired, but let him
further show that love is not sent by the gods for any good to lover or
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The third excerpt represents the future or something you must embrace, and is drawn from What is Man? by Mark Twain: he did in some capacity at the theater. No one doubt that. The
holding of horses is scouted by many, and perhaps with justice,
as being unlikely and certainly unproved; but whatever the nature
of his employment was at the theater, there is hardly room for
the belief that it could have been other than continuous, for his
progress there was so rapid. Ere long he had been taken into the
company as an actor, and was soon spoken of as a "Johannes
Factotum.' His rapid accumulation of wealth speaks volumes for
the constancy and activity of his services. One fails to see
when there could be a break in the current of his life at this
period of it, giving room or opportunity for legal or indeed any
What is Man? |
