| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Ten Years Later by Alexandre Dumas: "We had three of our men crushed to death, monsieur!"
"But you killed nobody yourselves?"
"Monsieur, a few of the rioters were left upon the square,
and one among them who was not a common man."
"Who was he?"
"A certain Menneville, upon whom the police have a long time
had an eye."
"Menneville!" cried Colbert, "what, he who killed Rue de la
Huchette, a worthy man who wanted a fat fowl?"
"Yes, monsieur; the same."
"And did this Menneville also cry, `Vive Colbert'?"
Ten Years Later |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from A Voyage to Arcturus by David Lindsay: "Now I am ready, Maskull."
He did not answer, but stared past her. Another figure was standing,
erect and mournful, not far behind her. It was Joiwind. Her face
was wan, and there was an accusing look in her eyes. Maskull knew
that it was a phantasm, and that the real Joiwind was miles away, at
Poolingdred.
"Turn around, Tydomin," he said oddly, "and tell me what you see
behind you."
"I don't see anything," she answered, looking around.
"But I see Joiwind."
Just as he was speaking, the apparition vanished.
|
| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from The Damnation of Theron Ware by Harold Frederic: "I mean well by you," replied Michael, wearily moving
his head on the pillow, and speaking in an undertone
of languor and pain, "and I mean well by others, that are
nearer to me, and that I have a right to care more about.
When a man lies by the site of his open grave, he does
not be meaning ill to any human soul."
"Yes--thanks--quite so!" faltered Theron. He dallied
for an instant with the temptation to seek some further
explanation, but the sight of Michael's half-closed
eyes and worn-out expression decided him against it.
It did not seem to be expected, either, that he should
The Damnation of Theron Ware |
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 Merry Adventures of Robin Hood by Howard Pyle: suddenly they came to a great open glade, at the end of which Robin Hood sat
beneath the shade of the great oak tree, with his merry men all about him.
"See, good Master Sheriff," quoth Little John, "yonder is the hart of which I
spake to thee."
At this the Sheriff turned to Little John and said bitterly,
"Long ago I thought I remembered thy face, but now I know thee.
Woe betide thee, Little John, for thou hast betrayed me this day."
In the meantime Robin Hood had come to them. "Now welcome, Master Sheriff,"
said he. "Hast thou come today to take another feast with me?"
"Nay, Heaven forbid!" said the Sheriff in tones of deep earnest.
"I care for no feast and have no hunger today."
The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood |
