| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from At the Mountains of Madness by H. P. Lovecraft: quickly rejected this too-facile theory upon considering the advanced
structural qualities of the older fossils. If anything, the later
contours showed decadence rather than higher evolution. The size
of the pseudofeet had decreased, and the whole morphology seemed
coarsened and simplified. Moreover, the nerves and organs just
examined held singular suggestions of retrogression from forms
still more complex. Atrophied and vestigial parts were surprisingly
prevalent. Altogether, little could be said to have been solved;
and Lake fell back on mythology for a provisional name - jocosely
dubbing his finds "The Elder Ones."
At about 2:30 A.M., having
At the Mountains of Madness |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Fanny Herself by Edna Ferber: "Then I shall have arrived. I shall be able to see the
great and beautiful things of this world, and mingle with
the people who possess them."
"When you might be making them yourself, you little fool.
Don't glare at me like that. I tell you that those pictures
are the real expression of you. That's why you turn to them
as relief from the shop grind. You can't help doing them.
They're you."
"I can stop if I want to. They amuse me, that's all."
"You can't stop. It's in your blood. It's the Jew in you."
"The---- Here, I'll show you. I won't do another sketch
Fanny Herself |
| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from Damaged Goods by Upton Sinclair: was now determined that there should be some practical steps
towards reform.
At the outset, he had taken the attitude of the average
legislator, that the thing to do was to strengthen the laws
against prostitution, and to enforce them more strictly. He
echoed the cry of the old man whom George had heard in the
doctor's office: "Are there not enough police?"
"We must go to the source," he declared. "We must proceed
against these miserable women--veritable poisoners that they
are!"
He really thought this was going to the source! But the doctor
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The fourth excerpt represents the element of Earth. It speaks of physical influences and the impact of the unseen on the visible world, and is drawn from The Passionate Pilgrim by William Shakespeare: Though to myself forsworn, to thee I'll constant prove;
Those thoughts, to me like oaks, to thee like osiers bow'd.
Study his bias leaves, and make his book thine eyes,
Where all those pleasures live that art can comprehend.
If knowledge be the mark, to know thee shall suffice;
Well learned is that tongue that well can thee commend;
All ignorant that soul that sees thee without wonder;
Which is to me some praise, that I thy parts admire:
Thy eye Jove's lightning seems, thy voice his dreadful thunder,
Which, not to anger bent, is music and sweet fire.
Celestial as thou art, O do not love that wrong,
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