| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from The Cavalry General by Xenophon: Eleusinion." See Leake, op. cit. i. 296.
[7] Lit. "nor will I omit how the lances shall as little as possible
overlap one another."
[8] Lit. "Every trooper should be at pains to keep his lance straight
between the ears of his charger, if these weapons are to be
distinct and terror-striking, and at the same time to appear
numerous."
As soon as they have ceased from the charge at full gallop, the pace
should at once be changed; and now, with footing slow, let them
retrace their course back to the temples. In this way every detail
characteristic of knightly pageantry[9] will have been displayed to
|
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from The Secret Sharer by Joseph Conrad: "Be careful," he murmured, warningly--and I realized suddenly
that all my future, the only future for which I was fit,
would perhaps go irretrievably to pieces in any mishap
to my first command.
I could not stop a moment longer in the room. I motioned him to get out
of sight and made my way on the poop. That unplayful cub had the watch.
I walked up and down for a while thinking things out, then beckoned him over.
"Send a couple of hands to open the two quarter-deck ports,"
I said, mildly.
He actually had the impudence, or else so forgot himself in his wonder
at such an incomprehensible order, as to repeat:
The Secret Sharer |
| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from Bab:A Sub-Deb, Mary Roberts Rinehart by Mary Roberts Rinehart: Corps detailed to watch William in the daytime, as he can do so,
because the Familey is now spending all day at the Red Cross.
He thinks the Password idea fine, as otherwise almost anybody could
steal a medal and get into the mill.
William seems to know that I know something, and this morning,
while opening the door for me, he said:
"I beg pardon, Miss Bab, but I see Henry is driving you today."
"It is not hard to see," I replied, in a hauty manner. It is not
the Butler's business who is driving me, and anyhow I had no
intention of any unecessary conversation with a Spy.
"Your own car being out of order, miss?"
|
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 Barnaby Rudge by Charles Dickens: and dipping his head into a bowl of water, had recourse to a jack-
towel inside the closet door, which served the double purpose of
smothering his feelings and drying his face.
Joe, disconsolate and down-hearted, but full of courage too, on
leaving the locksmith's house made the best of his way to the
Crooked Billet, and there inquired for his friend the serjeant,
who, expecting no man less, received him with open arms. In the
course of five minutes after his arrival at that house of
entertainment, he was enrolled among the gallant defenders of his
native land; and within half an hour, was regaled with a steaming
supper of boiled tripe and onions, prepared, as his friend assured
Barnaby Rudge |
