| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Mistress Wilding by Rafael Sabatini: We take Monmouth at supper, as quietly as may be, with what gentlemen
happen to have accompanied him. We bind and gag the Duke, and we
convey him with all speed and quiet out of Bridgwater. Feversham shall
send a troop to await me a mile or so from the town on the road to
Weston Zoyland. We shall join them with our captive, and thus convey
him to the Royalist General. Could aught be simpler or more infallible?"
Richard had slipped from the table. He had changed his mind on the
subject of the importance of the business Blake had in view. Excited by
it, he clapped his friend on the back approvingly.
"A great plan!" he cried. "Is it not, Ruth?"
"It should be the means of saving hundreds, perhaps thousands of lives,"
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The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Verses 1889-1896 by Rudyard Kipling: 'Twas on me like a thunderclap -- it racked me through an' through --
Temptation past the show o' speech, unnameable an' new --
The Sin against the Holy Ghost? . . . An' under all, our screw.
That storm blew by but left behind her anchor-shiftin' swell,
Thou knowest all my heart an' mind, Thou knowest, Lord, I fell.
Third on the ~Mary Gloster~ then, and first that night in Hell!
Yet was Thy hand beneath my head, about my feet Thy care --
Fra' Deli clear to Torres Strait, the trial o' despair,
But when we touched the Barrier Reef Thy answer to my prayer!
We dared not run that sea by night but lay an' held our fire,
An' I was drowsin' on the hatch -- sick -- sick wi' doubt an' tire:
Verses 1889-1896 |
