I narrowed my picture ideas down to these two quotes from my reading today:
I might indeed (had I wisely done), observed that precept of the poet, Nonumque premature in annum [keep back your work for nine years before printing], and have taken more care: or, as Alexander the physician would have done by lapis lazuli, fifty times washed it before it be used, I should have revised, corrected, and amended this tract; but I had not (as I said) that happy leisure, no amanuenses or assistants… I must for that cause do my business myself, and was therefore enforced, as a bear doth her whelps, to bring forth this confused lump.
‘Tis not my study or intent to compose neatly, which an orator requires, but to express myself readily and plainly as it happens. So that as a river runs sometimes precipitate and swift, then dull and slow, now direct, then per ambages [winding]; now deep, then shallow; now muddy, then clear; now broad, then narrow; doth my style flow… I shall lead thee… through a variety of objects, that which thou shalt like and surely dislike.
I really, really identify with that first one. I am wishing that I had some amanuenses to help me out with this blog right about now. I am even resorting to […] in my quotes, because small children are yelling at me! All the time! And I love it, I really do. I love them and I love the way that they yell at me about everything all the time like all things are of equal yelling importance. But it is hard to concentrate.
Anyhow I went with the second one, because a river was easier to draw than “bringing forth a confused lump.” Maybe I will come back to that one later though.