| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from The Devil's Dictionary by Ambrose Bierce: "Captains of industry" refused his hand,
"Kings of finance" denied him recognition
And "railway magnates" jeered his low condition.
He robbed a bank to make himself respected.
They still rebuffed him, for he was detected.
S.V. Hanipur
MISERICORDE, n. A dagger which in mediaeval warfare was used by the
foot soldier to remind an unhorsed knight that he was mortal.
MISFORTUNE, n. The kind of fortune that never misses.
MISS, n. The title with which we brand unmarried women to indicate
that they are in the market. Miss, Missis (Mrs.) and Mister (Mr.) are
The Devil's Dictionary |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from The Pupil by Henry James: by so free a permission, he had been for a quarter of an hour
walking with his charge in silence when the boy became sociable
again with the remark: "I'll tell you how I know it; I know it
through Zenobie."
"Zenobie? Who in the world is SHE?"
"A nurse I used to have - ever so many years ago. A charming
woman. I liked her awfully, and she liked me."
"There's no accounting for tastes. What is it you know through
her?"
"Why what their idea is. She went away because they didn't fork
out. She did like me awfully, and she stayed two years. She told
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