| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Twilight Land by Howard Pyle: brass swung slowly back, as though of themselves.
But when Gebhart saw what he saw within the gates his heart
crumbled away for fear, and his knees knocked together; for
there, in the very middle of the way, stood a monstrous, hideous
dragon, that blew out flames and clouds of smoke from his gaping
mouth like a chimney a-fire.
But the wise master was as cool as smooth water; he thrust his
hand into the bosom of his jacket and drew forth a little black
box, which he flung straight into the gaping mouth.
Snap!--the dragon swallowed the box.
The next moment it gave a great, loud, terrible cry, and,
|
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Heroes by Charles Kingsley: that wondrous bed; and beside, he was hungry and weary: yet
he shrank from the man, he knew not why; for, though his
voice was gentle and fawning, it was dry and husky like a
toad's; and though his eyes were gentle, they were dull and
cold like stones. But he consented, and went with the man up
a glen which led from the road toward the peaks of Parnes,
under the dark shadow of the cliffs.
And as they went up, the glen grew narrower, and the cliffs
higher and darker, and beneath them a torrent roared, half
seen between bare limestone crags. And around there was
neither tree nor bush, while from the white peaks of Parnes
|
| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from Tarzan and the Jewels of Opar by Edgar Rice Burroughs: your return to the Congo Free State?"
The Belgian lost his temper. "I have no disposition to
argue with a naked savage," he cried. "Unless you wish
to be hurt you will not interfere with me. Take the
prisoner, Sergeant!"
Werper raised his lips close to Tarzan's ear. "Keep me
from them, and I can show you the very spot where I saw
your wife last night," he whispered. "She cannot be
far from here at this very minute."
The soldiers, following the signal from their sergeant,
closed in to seize Werper. Tarzan grabbed the Belgian
Tarzan and the Jewels of Opar |
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 A Sentimental Journey by Laurence Sterne: my way is too rough for my feet, or too steep for my strength, I
get off it, to some smooth velvet path, which Fancy has scattered
over with rosebuds of delights; and having taken a few turns in it,
come back strengthened and refresh'd. - When evils press sore upon
me, and there is no retreat from them in this world, then I take a
new course; - I leave it, - and as I have a clearer idea of the
Elysian fields than I have of heaven, I force myself, like AEneas,
into them. - I see him meet the pensive shade of his forsaken Dido,
and wish to recognise it; - I see the injured spirit wave her head,
and turn off silent from the author of her miseries and dishonours;
- I lose the feelings for myself in hers, and in those affections
|
