| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from The Beasts of Tarzan by Edgar Rice Burroughs: before Molak's thick neck had snapped, and he shuddered.
He hated to give up the kingship, though, so again he struggled
to free himself; but a sudden torturing pressure upon his
vertebra brought an agonized "ka-goda!" from his lips.
Tarzan relaxed his grip a trifle.
"You may still be king, Akut," he said. "Tarzan told you
that he did not wish to be king. If any question your right,
Tarzan of the Apes will help you in your battles."
The ape-man rose, and Akut came slowly to his feet.
Shaking his bullet head and growling angrily, he waddled toward
his tribe, looking first at one and then at another of the
The Beasts of Tarzan |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Disputation of the Power and Efficacy of Indulgences by Dr. Martin Luther: magis optat in veniis dandis pro se devotam orationem quam
promptam pecuniam.
24. [49] Docendi sunt christiani, quod venie Pape sunt utiles, si
non in cas confidant, Sed nocentissime, si timorem dei per eas
amittant.
25. [50] Docendi sunt christiani, quod si Papa nosset exactiones
venialium predicatorum, mallet Basilicam s. Petri in cineres ire
quam edificari cute, carne et ossibus ovium suarum.
1. [51] Docendi sunt christiani, quod Papa sicut debet ita vellet,
etiam vendita (si opus sit) Basilicam s. Petri, de suis pecuniis
dare illis, a quorum plurimis quidam concionatores veniarum
|
| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from The Arrow of Gold by Joseph Conrad: perfection only in some rare, very rare Englishmen. The dear
creature was romantic, too. Of course he was reserved in his
speech but she understood Mills perfectly. Mills apparently liked
me very much.
It was time for me to say something. There was a challenge in the
reposeful black eyes resting upon my face. I murmured that I was
very glad to hear it. She waited a little, then uttered meaningly,
"Mr. Mills is a little bit uneasy about you."
"It's very good of him," I said. And indeed I thought that it was
very good of him, though I did ask myself vaguely in my dulled
brain why he should be uneasy.
The Arrow of Gold |
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 The Insidious Dr. Fu-Manchu by Sax Rohmer: The throb of the motor--the hissing breath of the two who fought--
with so much at issue--these sounds and the wash of the water alone
broke the eerie stillness.
By slow degrees, and with a reptilian agility horrible to watch,
Fu-Manchu was neutralizing the advantage gained by Weymouth.
His clawish fingers were fast in the big man's throat; the right hand
with its deadly needle was forcing down the left of his opponent.
He had been underneath, but now he was gaining the upper place.
His powers of physical endurance must have been truly marvelous.
His breath was whistling through his nostrils significantly,
but Weymouth was palpably tiring.
The Insidious Dr. Fu-Manchu |
