| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Egmont by Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe: he perish, are not worth preserving.
Brackenburg. Unhappy girl! Thou seest not the power that holds us
fettered as with bands of iron.
Clara. To me it does not appear invincible. Let us not lose time in idle
words. Here comes some of our old, honest, valiant burghers! Hark ye,
friends! Neighbours! Hark! --Say, how fares it with Egmont?
Carpenter. What does the girl want? Tell her to hold her peace.
Clara. Step nearer, that we may speak low, till we are united and more
strong. Not a moment is to be lost! Audacious tyranny, that dared to fetter
him, already lifts the dagger against his life. Oh, my friends! With the
advancing twilight my anxiety grows more intense. I dread this night.
 Egmont |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from The Light of Western Stars by Zane Grey: advanced that an elaborate trick had been concocted. Upon
general discussion this idea gained ground. Madeline did not
combat it, because she saw it tended to a less perturbed
condition of mind among her guests. Castleton for once proved
that he was not absolutely obtuse, and helped along the idea.
They sat talking in low voices until a late hour. The incident
now began to take on the nature of Helen's long-yearned-for
adventure. Some of the party even grew merry in a subdued way.
Then, gradually, one by one they tired and went to bed. Helen
vowed she could not sleep in a place where there were bats and
crawling things. Madeline fancied, however, that they all went
 The Light of Western Stars |