| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from The Dunwich Horror by H. P. Lovecraft: suspicion laid vaguely at his door; but was always able to silence
inquiry through fear or through use of that fund of old-time gold
which still, as in his grandfather's time, went forth regularly
and increasingly for cattle-buying. He was now tremendously mature
of aspect, and his height, having reached the normal adult limit,
seemed inclined to wax beyond that figure. In 1925, when a scholarly
correspondent from Miskatonic University called upon him one day
and departed pale and puzzled, he was fully six and three-quarters
feet tall.
Through all the years Wilbur had treated his half-deformed
albino mother with a growing contempt, finally forbidding her
The Dunwich Horror |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Nada the Lily by H. Rider Haggard: blind. The hand is white, like yours--it is white and dead and
shrivelled. These are the marks of the fire in Chaka's hut--the fire
that kissed me many, many years ago; I have had but little use of that
hand since this night of torment. But my right arm yet remained to me,
my father, and, ah! I used it.
"It seems that Nobela, the doctress, who is dead, lied when she
prophesied evil on me from thee, Mopo," said Chaka again. "It seems
that thou art innocent of this offence, and that Baleka, thy sister,
is innocent, and that the song which the Mother of the Heavens sang
through the singing flames was no true song. It is well for thee,
Mopo, for in such a matter my oath had not helped thee. But my mother
Nada the Lily |
| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from The Poems of Goethe, Bowring, Tr. by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe: Beloved and honour'd too.
1814.
-----
OPEN TABLE.
MANY a guest I'd see to-day,
Met to taste my dishes!
Food in plenty is prepar'd,
Birds, and game, and fishes.
Invitations all have had,
All proposed attending.
Johnny, go and look around!
|
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 Red Seal by Natalie Sumner Lincoln: "How did you come to let him do that?"
"I was not aware that he had done so until Mr. Clymer told me of
the transaction this afternoon," answered Kent.
"You did not know" - Ferguson looked at him in dawning comprehension.
"You mean Rochester absconded with the funds?"
"Some one forged my name to checks drawn on the firm's account,"
Kent continued. "I understood they were made payable to cash and
presented by Rochester on the day of Turnbull's death."
Ferguson whistled as a slight vent to his feelings. "So you suspect
Rochester of being a forger?" Kent made no reply, and he added;
after a moment's deliberation, "What bearing has this discovery on
The Red Seal |
