| The first excerpt represents the past or something you must release, and is drawn from Hiero by Xenophon: sometimes the mind (or soul) itself is the sole instrument by which we
register our pains and pleasures; whilst at other times such pains and
pleasures are derived conjointly through both soul and body.[10] There
are some pleasures, further, if I may trust my own sensations, which
are conveyed in sleep, though how and by what means and when
precisely, are matters as to which I am still more conscious of my
ignorance. Nor is it to be wondered at perhaps, if the perceptions of
waking life in some way strike more clearly on our senses than do
those of sleep.[11]
[7] Or, "if I may trust my powers of observation I would say that
common men are capable of pains and pleasures conveyed through
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The second excerpt represents the present or the deciding factor of the moment, and is drawn from Prufrock/Other Observations by T. S. Eliot: >From the sawdust-trampled street
With all its muddy feet that press
To early coffee-stands.
With the other masquerades
That time resumes,
One thinks of all the hands
That are raising dingy shades
In a thousand furnished rooms.
III
You tossed a blanket from the bed,
You lay upon your back, and waited;
Prufrock/Other Observations |
The third excerpt represents the future or something you must embrace, and is drawn from The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood by Howard Pyle: could think of nothing further to say, so they turned to their horses.
Then Little John arose of a sudden from the bench where he sat,
and ran to where the brothers of Fountain Abbey were mounting.
Quoth he, "Let me hold your horses' bridles for you. Truly, your words
have smitten my sinful heart, so that I will abide no longer in this
den of evil, but will go forward with you. No vile temptation, I wot,
will fall upon me in such holy company."
"Nay, fellow," said the lean Brother harshly, for he saw that
Little John made sport of them, "we want none of thy company,
so get thee gone."
"Alas," quoth Little John, "I am truly sorry that ye like me
The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood |
