| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from The White Moll by Frank L. Packard: and mechanical way. There were men in the passage running toward
them - and then the passage had disappeared. Pinkie Bonn had shut
the connecting door.
"Hop it like blazes!" whispered the Pug, as they ran for the faint
glimmer of light that located the cellar exit. "Separate de minute
we're outside!" he ordered. "Dere's murder in dere. Pete shot
Marny. I put Pete to sleep wid a punch on de jaw; but de bunch
knows now some one else was dere, an' Pete'll swear it was us,
though he don't know who we was dat did de shootin'. I gotta make
dis straight right off de bat wid Danglar." His whispering voice
was labored, panting; they were climbing up the steps now. "Youse
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The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from The Goodness of St. Rocque and Other Stories by Alice Dunbar: will know."
Still, New Orleans had built up its romance, and gossiped
accordingly.
"Have you heard the news?" whispered Lola to Annette, leaning
from her box at the opera one night. The curtain had just gone
up on "Herodias," and for some reason or other, the audience
applauded with more warmth than usual. There was a noticeable
number of good-humoured, benignant smiles on the faces of the
applauders.
"No," answered Annette, breathlessly,--"no, indeed, Lola; I am
going to Paris next week. I am so delighted I can't stop to
The Goodness of St. Rocque and Other Stories |
| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from The House of Dust by Conrad Aiken: Image to image gliding, wreathing fires,
Soundlessly cries enchantment in your mind:
You need but sit and close your eyes a moment
To see these deep designs unfold themselves.
And so, all things discern me, name me, praise me--
I walk in a world of silent voices, praising;
And in this world you see me like a wraith
Blown softly here and there, on silent winds.
'Praise me'--I say; and look, not in a glass,
But in your eyes, to see my image there--
Or in your mind; you smile, I am contented;
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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 A Midsummer Night's Dream by William Shakespeare: A louely boy stolne from an Indian King,
She neuer had so sweet a changeling,
And iealous Oberon would haue the childe
Knight of his traine, to trace the Forrests wilde.
But she (perforce) with-holds the loued boy,
Crownes him with flowers, and makes him all her ioy.
And now they neuer meete in groue, or greene,
By fountaine cleere, or spangled star-light sheene,
But they do square, that all their Elues for feare
Creepe into Acorne cups and hide them there
Fai. Either I mistake your shape and making quite,
A Midsummer Night's Dream |
