| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Barnaby Rudge by Charles Dickens: native land; and within half an hour, was regaled with a steaming
supper of boiled tripe and onions, prepared, as his friend assured
him more than once, at the express command of his most Sacred
Majesty the King. To this meal, which tasted very savoury after
his long fasting, he did ample justice; and when he had followed it
up, or down, with a variety of loyal and patriotic toasts, he was
conducted to a straw mattress in a loft over the stable, and
locked in there for the night.
The next morning, he found that the obliging care of his martial
friend had decorated his hat with sundry particoloured streamers,
which made a very lively appearance; and in company with that
Barnaby Rudge |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus by L. Frank Baum: Claus gazed upon them earnestly.
"Your brothers of the Forest," he said, "I have known and loved many
years. I shall love you, also, when we have become friends. To me
the laws of the Ryls, whether those of the Forest or of the field, are
sacred. I have never wilfully destroyed one of the flowers you tend
so carefully; but I must plant grain to use for food during the cold
winter, and how am I to do this without killing the little creatures
that sing to me so prettily of their fragrant blossoms?"
The Yellow Ryl, he who tends the buttercups, made answer:
"Fret not, friend Claus. The great Ak has spoken to us of you. There
is better work for you in life than to labor for food, and though, not
The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus |
| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from Early Short Fiction of Edith Wharton by Edith Wharton: two painful tears burnt a way down her face.
Arment's constraint was increasing visibly. "This--this is very
unfortunate," he began. "But I should say the law--"
"The law?" she echoed ironically. "When he asks for his
freedom?"
"You are not obliged to give it."
"You were not obliged to give me mine--but you did."
He made a protesting gesture.
"You saw that the law couldn't help you--didn't you?" she went
on. "That is what I see now. The law represents material
rights--it can't go beyond. If we don't recognize an inner law . . .
|
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 Market-Place by Harold Frederic: "You use the word again," she reminded him, a wan smile
softening her protest.
Thorpe stood up, and took a slow step toward the chair.
He held her glance with his own, as he stood then,
his head bent, gravely regarding her.
"Do you tell me that you are happy?" he asked,
with sober directness.
She fluttered her hands in a little restrained gesture
of comment. "You consider only the extremes," she told him.
"Between black and white there are so many colours and shades
and half-tones! The whole spectrum, in fact. Hardly anybody,
The Market-Place |
