| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from The Perfect Wagnerite: A Commentary on the Niblung's Ring by George Bernard Shaw: We now come upon a last relic of the tragedy of Wotan. Returning
to Brynhild's mountain, we find her visited by her sister
Valkyrie Valtrauta, who has witnessed Wotan's solemn preparations
with terror. She repeats to Brynhild the account already given by
the Noms. Clinging in anguish to Wotan's knees, she has heard him
mutter that were the ring returned to the daughters of the deep
Rhine, both Gods and world would be redeemed from that stage
curse off Alberic's in The Rhine Gold. On this she has rushed on
her warhorse through the air to beg Brynhild to give the Rhine
back its ring. But this is asking Woman to give up love for the
sake of Church and State. She declares that she will see them
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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 Lesser Bourgeoisie by Honore de Balzac: new."
"That is my intention," was all the rebel replied.
"At least you will give your reasons?"
"The marriage does not please me."
"Ha! and since when?"
"It is not necessary that monsieur should listen to our discussion,"
said Madame Thuillier; "it will not appear in the contract."
"No wonder you are ashamed of it," said Brigitte; "the appearance you
are making is not very flattering to you--Monsieur," she continued,
addressing the clerk, "it is easier, is it not, to mark out passages
in a contract than to add them?"
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