| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Men of Iron by Howard Pyle: I be a right sick man, and there be some who are already plotting
to overthrow those who have held up my hand with their own
strength for all these years." Then speaking more directly: "My
Lord Earl of Mackworth, I see your hand in this before all
others. It was thou who so played upon me as to get me to knight
this young man, and thus make him worthy to challenge my Lord of
Alban. It was thy doings that brought him here to-day, backed by
mine own sons and my brother and by these noblemen." Then turning
suddenly to the Earl of Alban: "Come, my Lord," said he; "I am
aweary with all this coil. Lend me thine arm to leave this
place." So it was that he left the room, leaning upon the Earl of
Men of Iron |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Hellenica by Xenophon: stakes. Such conduct in the majority of cases must end in absolute
collapse. Let us lay the lesson of these to heart, and forbear to
enter into any such lists as theirs for life or death; but, while we
are yet in the heyday of our strength and fortune, shake hands in
mutual amity. So assuredly shall we through you and you through us
attain to an unprecedented pinnacle of glory throughout Hellas."
The arguments of the speakers were approved, and the Lacedaemonians
passed a resolution to accept peace on a threefold basis: the
withdrawal of the governors from the cities,[14] the disbanding of
armaments naval and military, and the guarantee of independence to the
states. "If any state transgressed these stipulations, it lay at the
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