| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Desert Gold by Zane Grey: "I've known for a long time," replied Mrs. Belding. Her voice was
steady, and there was no evidence of agitation except in her
pallor. "Then you--you haven't spoken to Nell?"
Dick laughed. "I've been trying to get a chance to tell her. I
haven't had it yet. But she knows. There are other ways besides
speech. And Mercedes has told her. I hope, I almost believe Nell
cares a little for me."
"I've known that, too, for a long time," said Mrs. Belding, low
almost as a whisper.
"You know!" cried Dick, with a glow and rush of feeling.
"Dick, you must be very blind not to see what has been plain
Desert Gold |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from The Goodness of St. Rocque and Other Stories by Alice Dunbar: applauding house. Her head unconsciously beat time to the music,
and one hand half held her cloak from her bare shoulders.
Then Eleazar appeared, and the house rose at the end of his song.
Encores it gave, and bravos and cheers. He bowed calmly, swept
his eyes over the tiers until they found Annette, where they
rested in a half-smile of recognition.
"Philip," gasped Annette, nervously raising her glasses, "my
fisherman!"
"Yes, an opera-singer is better than a marchand," drawled Philip.
The curtain fell on the first act. The house was won by the new
tenor; it called and recalled him before the curtain. Clearly he
The Goodness of St. Rocque and Other Stories |
| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from Four Arthurian Romances by Chretien DeTroyes: Lion, or Yvain (Garland Library of Medieval Literature 48A, New
York & London, 1985). Original text with English translation
(See Penguin Classics edition below).
Kibler, William W. (Ed.): "Chretien DeTroyes: Lancelot, or The
Knight of the Cart (Garland Library of Medieval Literature 1A,
New York & London, 1981). Original text with English translation
(See Penguin Classics edition below).
Micha, Alexandre (Ed.): "Les Romans de Chretien de Troyes, Vol.
II: Cliges" (Champion, Paris, 1957).
OTHER TRANSLATIONS --
Cline, Ruth Harwood (Trans.): "Chretien DeTroyes: Yvain, or the
|
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 Men of Iron by Howard Pyle: fallen to be a teacher of boys. Go to! thou art a fool."
Then, after a little pause of brooding silence, he went on to say
that the Earl was no better or worse than the rest of the world.
That men of his position had many jealous enemies, ever seeking
their ruin, and that such must look first of all each to himself,
or else be certainly ruined, and drag down others in that ruin.
Myles was silenced, but the bitterness had entered his heart, and
abided with him for many a day afterwards.
Perhaps Sir James read his feelings in his frank face, for he sat
looking curiously at him, twirling his grizzled mustache the
while. "Thou art like to have hard knocks of it, lad, ere thou
Men of Iron |
