| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Critias by Plato: depth received the streams which came down from the mountains, as well as
the canals of the interior, and found a way to the sea. The entire country
was divided into sixty thousand lots, each of which was a square of ten
stadia; and the owner of a lot was bound to furnish the sixth part of a
war-chariot, so as to make up ten thousand chariots, two horses and riders
upon them, a pair of chariot-horses without a seat, and an attendant and
charioteer, two hoplites, two archers, two slingers, three stone-shooters,
three javelin-men, and four sailors to make up the complement of twelve
hundred ships.
Each of the ten kings was absolute in his own city and kingdom. The
relations of the different governments to one another were determined by
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The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Phaedrus by Plato: surely known the nature of God, may imagine an immortal creature having
both a body and also a soul which are united throughout all time. Let
that, however, be as God wills, and be spoken of acceptably to him. And
now let us ask the reason why the soul loses her wings!
The wing is the corporeal element which is most akin to the divine, and
which by nature tends to soar aloft and carry that which gravitates
downwards into the upper region, which is the habitation of the gods. The
divine is beauty, wisdom, goodness, and the like; and by these the wing of
the soul is nourished, and grows apace; but when fed upon evil and foulness
and the opposite of good, wastes and falls away. Zeus, the mighty lord,
holding the reins of a winged chariot, leads the way in heaven, ordering
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| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from Ann Veronica by H. G. Wells: we men would work for them and serve them in loyal fealty."
"That's rather the theory now," said Ann Veronica. "Only so many
men neglect their duties."
"Yes," said Mr. Manning, with an air of emerging from an
elaborate demonstration, "and so each of us must, under existing
conditions, being chivalrous indeed to all women, choose for
himself his own particular and worshipful queen."
"So far as one can judge from the system in practice," said Ann
Veronica, speaking in a loud, common-sense, detached tone, and
beginning to walk slowly but resolutely toward the lawn, "it
doesn't work."
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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 Betty Zane by Zane Grey: warm heart. With her quick intuition she had divined that this was even a
greater trial for Myeerah. Undoubtedly the Indian girl feared the scorn of her
lover's people. She showed it in her trembling hands, in her fearful glances.
Finding that Myeerah could speak and understand English, Betty became more
interested in her charge every moment. She set about to make Myeerah
comfortable, and while she removed the wet and stained garments she talked all
the time. She told her how happy she was that Isaac was alive and well. She
said Myeerah's heroism in saving him should atone for all the past, and that
Isaac's family would welcome her in his home.
Gradually Myeerah's agitation subsided under Betty's sweet graciousness, and
by the time Betty had dressed her in a white gown, had brushed the dark hair
Betty Zane |
