| The first excerpt represents the past or something you must release, and is drawn from The Lesson of the Master by Henry James: "I'm glad of that, for it may serve as a kind of warning. Shocking
enough it must be, especially to a young fresh mind, full of faith
- the spectacle of a man meant for better things sunk at my age in
such dishonour." St. George, in the same contemplative attitude,
spoke softly but deliberately, and without perceptible emotion.
His tone indeed suggested an impersonal lucidity that was
practically cruel - cruel to himself - and made his young friend
lay an argumentative hand on his arm. But he went on while his
eyes seemed to follow the graces of the eighteenth-century ceiling:
"Look at me well, take my lesson to heart - for it IS a lesson.
Let that good come of it at least that you shudder with your
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The second excerpt represents the present or the deciding factor of the moment, and is drawn from Salome by Oscar Wilde: Ah! je m'en souviens . . .
LA VOIX D'IOKANAAN. Voici le temps! Ce que j'ai predit est arrive,
dit le Seigneur Dieu. Voici le jour dont j'avais parle.
HERODIAS. Faites-le taire. Je ne veux pas entendre sa voix. Cet
homme vomit toujours des injures contre moi.
HERODE. Il n'a rien dit contre vous. Aussi, c'est un tres grand
prophete.
HERODIAS. Je ne crois pas aux prophetes. Est-ce qu'un homme peut
dire ce qui doit arriver? Personne ne le sait. Aussi, il m'insulte
toujours. Mais je pense que vous avez peur de lui . . . Enfin, je
sais bien que vous avez peur de lui.
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The third excerpt represents the future or something you must embrace, and is drawn from Modeste Mignon by Honore de Balzac: favorites. Do you want me to put all my flatteries into one?--well
then, I think you worthy to be ME!
Your letter, though short, enables me to read within you. Yes, I
have guessed your tumultuous struggles, your piqued curiosity,
your projects; but I do not yet know you well enough to satisfy
your wishes. Hear me, dear; the mystery in which I am shrouded
allows me to use that word, which lets you see to the bottom of my
heart. Hear me: if we once meet, adieu to our mutual
comprehension! Will you make a compact with me? Was the first
disadvantageous to you? But remember it won you my esteem, and it
is a great deal, my friend, to gain an admiration lined throughout
Modeste Mignon |
