| The first excerpt represents the past or something you must release, and is drawn from Unconscious Comedians by Honore de Balzac: in the Chamber. And see! there's a danseuse of the third order, who,
as a dancer, exists only through the omnipotence of a newspaper. If
her engagement were not renewed the ministry would have one more
journalistic enemy on its back. The corps de ballet is a great power;
consequently it is considered better form in the upper ranks of
dandyism and politics to have relations with dance than with song. In
the stalls, where the habitues of the Opera congregate, the saying
'Monsieur is all for singing' is a form of ridicule."
A short man with a common face, quite simply dressed, passed them at
this moment.
"There's the other half of the Opera receipts--that man who just went
|
The second excerpt represents the present or the deciding factor of the moment, and is drawn from Oedipus Trilogy by Sophocles: CHORUS
Look ye, countrymen and Thebans, this is Oedipus the great,
He who knew the Sphinx's riddle and was mightiest in our state.
Who of all our townsmen gazed not on his fame with envious eyes?
Now, in what a sea of troubles sunk and overwhelmed he lies!
Therefore wait to see life's ending ere thou count one mortal blest;
Wait till free from pain and sorrow he has gained his final rest.
FOOTNOTES
---------
1. Dr. Kennedy and others render "Since to men of experience I see
that also comparisons of their counsels are in most lively use."
Oedipus Trilogy |
The third excerpt represents the future or something you must embrace, and is drawn from Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen: see no occasion for entailing estates from the female line. It was
not thought necessary in Sir Lewis de Bourgh's family. Do you
play and sing, Miss Bennet?"
"A little."
"Oh! then-- some time or other we shall be happy to hear you.
Our instrument is a capital one, probably superior to---- You
shall try it some day. Do your sisters play and sing?"
"One of them does."
"Why did not you all learn? You ought all to have learned. The
Miss Webbs all play, and their father has not so good an income
as yours. Do you draw?"
Pride and Prejudice |
