| The first excerpt represents the past or something you must release, and is drawn from Woman and Labour by Olive Schreiner: to be looking at that which might have been the incarnation of the dream of
some single soul of genius. But in truth, its origin was far otherwise.
Ages elapsed from the time the first rough stone was laid as a foundation
till the last spire and pinnacle were shaped, and the hand which laid the
foundation-stone was never the same as that which set the last stone upon
the coping. Generations often succeeded one another, labouring at
gargoyle, rose-window, and shaft, and died, leaving the work to others; the
master-builder who drew up the first rough outline passed away, and was
succeeded by others, and the details of the work as completed bore
sometimes but faint resemblance to the work as he devised it; no man fully
understood all that others had done or were doing, but each laboured in his
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The second excerpt represents the present or the deciding factor of the moment, and is drawn from Maid Marian by Thomas Love Peacock: one end would rest on the bank, and the other on the battlements,
and which, being well furnished with stepping boards, would enable
his men to ascend the inclined plane with speed and facility.
Matilda received intimation of this design by the usual friendly channel
of a blunt arrow, which must either have been sent from some secret
friend in the prince's camp, or from some vigorous archer beyond it:
the latter will not appear improbable, when we consider that Robin Hood
and Little John could shoot two English miles and an inch point-blank,
Come scrive Turpino, che non erra.
The machine was completed, and the ensuing morning fixed for the assault.
Six men, relieved at intervals, kept watch over it during the night.
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The third excerpt represents the future or something you must embrace, and is drawn from The Glimpses of the Moon by Edith Wharton: "How splendid you look!" he said, smiling at her.
She threw her head back and gazed him straight in the eyes.
"That's going to be my future job."
"To look splendid?"
"Yes."
"And wear a crown?"
"And wear a crown ...."
They continued to consider each other without speaking. Nick's
heart contracted with pity and perplexity.
"Oh, Coral--it's not decided?"
She scrutinized him for a last penetrating moment; then she
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