| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Lysis by Plato: That is true.
And everything in which we appear to him to be wiser than himself or his
son he will commit to us?
That is very true, Socrates, he replied.
Then now, my dear Lysis, I said, you perceive that in things which we know
every one will trust us,--Hellenes and barbarians, men and women,--and we
may do as we please about them, and no one will like to interfere with us;
we shall be free, and masters of others; and these things will be really
ours, for we shall be benefited by them. But in things of which we have no
understanding, no one will trust us to do as seems good to us--they will
hinder us as far as they can; and not only strangers, but father and
Lysis |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Historical Lecturers and Essays by Charles Kingsley: But there were other causes, more honourable to the dogged energy of
the Norse. They were in those very years conquering and settling
nearer home as no other people--unless, perhaps, the old Ionian
Greeks--conquered and settled.
Greenland, we have seen, they held--the western side at least--and
held it long and well enough to afford, it is said, 2,600 pounds of
walrus' teeth as yearly tithe to the Pope, besides Peter's pence,
and to build many a convent, and church, and cathedral, with farms
and homesteads round; for one saga speaks of Greenland as producing
wheat of the finest quality. All is ruined now, perhaps by gradual
change of climate.
|
| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from The Heritage of the Desert by Zane Grey: They've great dignity, and if you entered their hogans they'd sit for
some moments before appearing to see you. Scarbreast is a war-chief.
Eschtah is the wise old chief of all the Navajos on the Painted Desert.
It may interest you to know he is Mescal's grandfather. Some day I'll
tell you the story."
Hare tried very hard to appear unconscious when two tall Indians stalked
into the circle of Mormons; he set his eyes on the white heart of the
camp-fire and waited. For several minutes no one spoke or even moved.
The Indians remained standing for a time; then seated themselves.
Presently August Naab greeted them in the Navajo language. This was a
signal for Hare to use his eyes and ears. Another interval of silence
The Heritage of the Desert |
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 Egmont by Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe: general, one who never listens to reason, will be able to deal promptly
with all parties;--people and nobles, citizens and peasants; he therefore
sends, with a powerful army, the Duke of Alva.
Machiavel. Alva?
Regent. You are surprised.
Machiavel. You say, he sends, he asks doubtless whether he should send.
Regent. The king asks not, he sends.
Machiavel. You will then have an experienced warrior in your service.
Regent. In my service? Speak out, Machiavel.
Machiavel. I would not anticipate you.
Regent. And I would I could dissimulate. It wounds me --wounds me to
Egmont |
