| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from The Reign of King Edward the Third by William Shakespeare: So end the battle when we meet to day:
May either of us prosper and prevail,
Or, luckless, curst, receive eternal shame!
KING EDWARD.
That needs no further question; and I know,
His conscience witnesseth, it is my right.--
Therefore, Valois, say, wilt thou yet resign,
Before the sickles thrust into the Corn,
Or that inkindled fury turn to flame?
KING JOHN.
Edward, I know what right thou hast in France;
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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 Son of Tarzan by Edgar Rice Burroughs: a shout of exultation. Quickly the two slid down the drooping
branches into the boat. The black seized the paddle and Baynes
shoved them out from beneath the tree. A second later the canoe
shot out upon the bosom of the river and headed toward the
opposite shore and the camp of the Swede. Baynes squatted in
the bow, straining his eyes after the men pulling the other
canoes upon the bank across from him. He saw Malbihn step from
the bow of the foremost of the little craft. He saw him turn
and glance back across the river. He could see his start of
surprise as his eyes fell upon the pursuing canoe, and called
the attention of his followers to it.
The Son of Tarzan |
| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from Thuvia, Maid of Mars by Edgar Rice Burroughs: issue at once, for only one of us may leave this chamber
alive with Thuvia of Ptarth." Then, seeing that the man
wore no sword, he exclaimed: "Bring on your bowmen,
then, or come with us as my prisoner until we have
safely passed the outer portals of thy ghostly city."
"You have killed Tario!" exclaimed Jav, ignoring the
other's challenge. "You have killed Tario! I see his blood
upon the floor--real blood--real death. Tario was, after
all, as real as I. Yet he was an etherealist. He would
not materialize his sustenance. Can it be that they are
right? Well, we, too, are right. And all these ages we
Thuvia, Maid of Mars |
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 Tik-Tok of Oz by L. Frank Baum: very conceited and he is so strong and fierce that
he would prove a dangerous foe."
"Yes, indeed," returned Quox, who had listened
to this speech with pleasure; "I suppose I am
about as terrible as any living thing. I am glad
you find me conceited, for that proves I know my
good qualities. As for my breath smelling of
brimstone, I really can't help it, and I once met
a man whose breath smelled of onions, which I
consider far worse."
"I don't," said Betsy; "I love onions.
Tik-Tok of Oz |
