| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Barlaam and Ioasaph by St. John of Damascus: and the insolence of the ancient supplanter hath blinded the eyes
of my heart, and shed a thick darkness over my reason. But now,
at thy word, I will cast away the veil of gloom, and run unto the
light of the countenance of the Lord. May be, he will have mercy
on me, and will open a door of repentance to his wicked and
rebellious servant, even if it seem impossible to me that my
sins, which are heavier than the sand, be forgiven; sins, which,
wittingly or unwittingly, I have sinned from childhood upwards to
this my hoary age."
When the king's son heard these words, immediately he arose, and
his heart waxed warm, and he began to try to raise Nachor's
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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 Iron Puddler by James J. Davis: governing municipal bonds and contract letting. We had advertised
that bids must be filed before seven-thirty that evening. Big
Jeff took down his bid at seven-fifteen and filed his new bid at
seven forty-five; fifteen minutes after the legal time limit.
The council was in session and hundreds of citizens were there
to protest against any more deals in letting contracts at
exorbitant prices. I opened and read aloud the various bids,
including that of the big boss, Jeff Rowley, adding that Jeff's
bid had been filed too late to be legal.
"You lie!" he screamed. "You're a Welsh liar, and I'll kill you
for this!" The threat was heard by the council and the citizens.
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