| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Pellucidar by Edgar Rice Burroughs: "Come, come, old man!" I cried. "It's not as bad as it
looks. Give me a hand with this rope, and we'll drag her
up as far as we can; and then when the tide goes out
we'll try another scheme. I think we can make a go of
her yet."
Well, we managed to get her up into shallow water.
When the tide receded she lay there on her side in the
mud, quite a pitiable object for the premier battle-ship
of a world--"the terror of the seas" was the way Perry
had occasionally described her.
We had to work fast; but before the tide came in
Pellucidar |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from The Golden Threshold by Sarojini Naidu: Behind her carven lattices,
Like jewels in a turbaned crest,
Like secrets in a lover's breast.
But though no hand unsanctioned dares
Unveil the mysteries of her grace,
Time lifts the curtain unawares,
And Sorrow looks into her face . . .
Who shall prevent the subtle years,
Or shield a woman's eyes from tears?
TO YOUTH
O Youth, sweet comrade Youth, wouldst thou be gone?
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