| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from The Scarlet Pimpernel by Baroness Emmuska Orczy: mistake. . . . You had not heard this story?"
"Faith, Madame, I did hear some vague rumours of it, but in
England no one would credit it. . . . Sir Percy Blakeney, her
husband, is a very wealthy man, of high social position, the intimate
friend of the Prince of Wales. . .and Lady Blakeney leads both fashion
and society in London."
"That may be, Monsieur, and we shall, of course, lead a very
quiet life in England, but I pray god that while I remain in this
beautiful country, I may never meet Marguerite St. Just."
The proverbial wet-blanket seemed to have fallen over the merry little
company gathered round the table. Suzanne looked sad and silent;
The Scarlet Pimpernel |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from The Coxon Fund by Henry James: I went abroad for the general election, and if I don't know how
much, on the Continent, I forgot, I at least know how much I
missed, him. At a distance, in a foreign land, ignoring, abjuring,
unlearning him, I discovered what he had done for me. I owed him,
oh unmistakeably, certain noble conceptions; I had lighted my
little taper at his smoky lamp, and lo it continued to twinkle.
But the light it gave me just showed me how much more I wanted. I
was pursued of course by letters from Mrs. Saltram which I didn't
scruple not to read, though quite aware her embarrassments couldn't
but be now of the gravest. I sacrificed to propriety by simply
putting them away, and this is how, one day as my absence drew to
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| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from The Road to Oz by L. Frank Baum: Dorothy; but he couldn't come with us because he's getting polished as
bright as possible for Ozma's party."
"Well then," said Dorothy, "let's start on, and we can talk more as we go."
They proceeded on their journey in a friendly group, for Polychrome
had discovered that the copper man was harmless and was no longer
afraid of him. Button-Bright was also reassured, and took quite a
fancy to Tik-tok. He wanted the clockwork man to open himself, so that
he might see the wheels go round; but that was a thing Tik-tok could
not do. Button-Bright then wanted to wind up the copper man, and
Dorothy promised he should do so as soon as any part of the machinery
ran down. This pleased Button-Bright, who held fast to one of
The Road to Oz |
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 Barlaam and Ioasaph by St. John of Damascus: I hate and abhor it, but thy law do I love. Seven times a day do
I praise thee, because of thy righteous judgements. My soul hath
kept thy testimonies, and loved them exceedingly. Let my
complaint come before thee, O Lord: give me understanding
according to thy word.'
"While thou art calling thus, the Lord hear thee: while thou art
yet speaking, he shall say, `Behold I am here.' If then thou
attain to such prayer, blessed shalt thou be; for it is
impossible for a man praying and calling upon God with such
purpose not to advance daily in that which is good, and soar over
all the snares of the enemy. For, as saith one of the Saints,
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