| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from De Profundis by Oscar Wilde: and Tartuffe, and should rank with them. They are what modern life
has contributed to the antique ideal of friendship. He who writes
a new DE AMICITIA must find a niche for them, and praise them in
Tusculan prose. They are types fixed for all time. To censure
them would show 'a lack of appreciation.' They are merely out of
their sphere: that is all. In sublimity of soul there is no
contagion. High thoughts and high emotions are by their very
existence isolated.
I am to be released, if all goes well with me, towards the end of
May, and hope to go at once to some little sea-side village abroad
with R- and M-.
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The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from The Riverman by Stewart Edward White: dramatically.
Orde nodded briefly to the stranger, and came at once to business.
"I want to talk this matter over with you," he began. "We aren't
making much progress. We can't afford to hang up the drive, and the
water is going down every day. We've got to have more water. I'll
tell you what we'll do: If you'll let us cut down the new sill,
we'll replace it in good shape when we get all our logs through."
"No, sir!" promptly vetoed the old man.
"Well, we'll give you something for the privilege. What do you
think is fair?"
"I tell ye I'll give you your legal rights, and not a cent more,"
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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 King James Bible: good.
JER 24:6 For I will set mine eyes upon them for good, and I will bring
them again to this land: and I will build them, and not pull them down;
and I will plant them, and not pluck them up.
JER 24:7 And I will give them an heart to know me, that I am the LORD:
and they shall be my people, and I will be their God: for they shall
return unto me with their whole heart.
JER 24:8 And as the evil figs, which cannot be eaten, they are so evil;
surely thus saith the LORD, So will I give Zedekiah the king of Judah,
and his princes, and the residue of Jerusalem, that remain in this land,
and them that dwell in the land of Egypt:
King James Bible |
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 New Arabian Nights by Robert Louis Stevenson: friends has preceded me, where I knew I must shortly follow. But
this is of no interest to you. Wait me here for only a few
moments; I shall return as soon as I have arranged the
preliminaries of your introduction."
And with that the young man, waving his hand to his companions,
turned into the court, entered a doorway and disappeared.
"Of all our follies," said Colonel Geraldine in a low voice, "this
is the wildest and most dangerous."
"I perfectly believe so," returned the Prince.
"We have still," pursued the Colonel, "a moment to ourselves. Let
me beseech your Highness to profit by the opportunity and retire.
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