| The first excerpt represents the past or something you must release, and is drawn from The Art of Writing by Robert Louis Stevenson: grossly, of letters - which makes the fourth preoccupation of
the prose writer, and the fifth of the versifier. At times
it is very delicate and hard to perceive, and then perhaps
most excellent and winning (I say perhaps); but at times
again the elements of this literal melody stand more boldly
forward and usurp the ear. It becomes, therefore, somewhat a
matter of conscience to select examples; and as I cannot very
well ask the reader to help me, I shall do the next best by
giving him the reason or the history of each selection. The
two first, one in prose, one in verse, I chose without
previous analysis, simply as engaging passages that had long
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The second excerpt represents the present or the deciding factor of the moment, and is drawn from Astoria by Washington Irving: experienced. As the expedition advanced, however, his agitation
increased. He began to talk wildly and incoherently, and to show
manifest symptoms of derangement.
Mr. Crooks now informed his companions that in his desolate
wanderings through the Snake River country during the preceding
winter, in which he had been accompanied by John Day, the poor
fellow's wits had been partially unsettled by the sufferings and
horrors through which they had passed, and he doubted whether
they had ever been restored to perfect sanity. It was still hoped
that this agitation of spirits might pass away as they proceeded;
but, on the contrary, it grew more and more violent. His comrades
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The third excerpt represents the future or something you must embrace, and is drawn from Sons and Lovers by D. H. Lawrence: Suddenly he put his finger-tips on her cheek.
"Why dost look so heavy?" he reproached her.
She smiled sadly, as if she felt alone in herself. He caressed
her cheek with his fingers, and kissed her.
"Nay!" he said. "Never thee bother!"
She gripped his fingers tight, and laughed shakily.
Then she dropped her hand. He put the hair back from her brows,
stroking her temples, kissing them lightly.
"But tha shouldna worrit!" he said softly, pleading.
"No, I don't worry!" she laughed tenderly and resigned.
"Yea, tha does! Dunna thee worrit," he implored, caressing.
Sons and Lovers |
