The first excerpt represents the past or something you must release, and is drawn from On Horsemanship by Xenophon: same time be in the best position to be mounted by the rider at a
moment's notice, were it necessary.
[1] See a passage from Strattis, "Chrys." 2 (Pollux, x. 55), {prosage
ton polon atrema, proslabon ton agogea brakhuteron. oukh oras oti
abolos estin}.
In order to insert the bit correctly the groom should, in the first
place, approach on the near[2] side of the horse, and then throwing
the reins over his head, let them drop loosely on the withers; raise
the headstall in his right hand, and with his left present the bit. If
the horse will take the bit, it is a simple business to adjust the
strap of the headstall; but if he refuses to open his mouth, the groom
 On Horsemanship |
The second excerpt represents the present or the deciding factor of the moment, and is drawn from Tarzan the Untamed by Edgar Rice Burroughs: Tarzan's informant either did not know or would not divulge.
But the fact that he had permitted sentiment to stay his
hand when he might so easily have put Bertha Kircher out of
the way in the hotel at Wilhelmstal that night rankled in the
ape-man's bosom. He was shamed by his weakness, and when
he had handed the paper she had given him to the British chief
of staff, even though the information it contained permitted
the British to frustrate a German flank attack, he was still much
dissatisfied with himself. And possibly the root of this
dissatis-
faction lay in the fact that he realized that were he again to
 Tarzan the Untamed |
The third excerpt represents the future or something you must embrace, and is drawn from Marie by H. Rider Haggard: he will think he has nothing to fear from the white men and their magic,
and so will make a beginning by butchering us. I mean the rest of us,
for I am to be kept alive, and oh! what shall I do, Allan?"
I looked at her, and she looked at me. Then I took the double-barrelled
pistol out of my pocket and gave it to her.
"It is loaded and on the half-cock," I said.
She nodded, and hid it in her dress beneath her apron. Then without
more words we kissed and parted, for both of us feared to prolong that
scene.
The hill Hloma Amabutu was quite close to our encampment and the huts of
the Reverend Mr. Owen, scarcely a quarter of a mile off, I should say,
 Marie |