The first excerpt represents the past or something you must release, and is drawn from Four Arthurian Romances by Chretien DeTroyes: (Vv. 4011-4036.) The duke, who thinks and confidently trusts
that Cliges will be unable to stave off death and defeat at his
hands, has himself quickly armed. Cliges, who is anxious for the
fight, feels no concern as to how he shall defend himself. He
asks the emperor for his arms, and desires him to dub him a
knight. So the emperor generously gives him his arms, and he
takes them, his heart being keen for the battle which he
anticipates with joy and eagerness. No time is lost in arming
him. And when he was armed from head to foot, the emperor, all
sorrowing, girds the sword upon his side. Thus Cliges completely
armed mounts his white Arab steed; from his neck he hangs by the
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The second excerpt represents the present or the deciding factor of the moment, and is drawn from The Talisman by Walter Scott: "Nothing worth memory," answered the orator; "only he wished he
had taken the occasion to meet Richard in the lists."
"Out upon it--out upon it!" said Jonas; "this is such dotage of
folly that I am well-nigh ashamed of winning the game by it.
Ne'ertheless, fool as he is, we will follow him, most sage
SPRUCH-SPRECHER, and have our share of the wine of NIERENSTEIN."
CHAPTER XXV.
Yet this inconstancy is such,
As thou, too, shalt adore;
I could not love thee, love so much,
Loved I not honour more. MONTROSE'S LINES.
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The third excerpt represents the future or something you must embrace, and is drawn from The Iliad by Homer: me for long; they will give ground before me if the mightiest of
the gods, the thundering spouse of Juno, has indeed inspired my
onset."
With these words he put heart and soul into them all. Deiphobus
son of Priam went about among them intent on deeds of daring with
his round shield before him, under cover of which he strode
quickly forward. Meriones took aim at him with a spear, nor did
he fail to hit the broad orb of ox-hide; but he was far from
piercing it for the spear broke in two pieces long ere he could
do so; moreover Deiphobus had seen it coming and had held his
shield well away from him. Meriones drew back under cover of his
The Iliad |