| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from An Open Letter on Translating by Dr. Martin Luther: translations. Thus, they are stealing my language from me - a
language they had little knowledge of before this. However, they
do not thank me for this but instead use it against me. Yet I
readily grant them this as it tickles me to know that I have
taught my ungrateful students, even my enemies, to speak.
Secondly, you might say that I have conscientiously translated the
New Testament into German to the best of my ability, and that I
have not forced anyone to read it. Rather I have left it open,
only doing the translation as a service to those who could not do
it as well. No one is forbidden to do it better. If someone does
not wish to read it, he can let it lie, for I do not ask anyone to
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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 Dream-Quest of Unknown Kadath by H. P. Lovecraft: the harbour against the setting sun.
"There is Providence quaint
and lordly on its seven hills over the blue harbour, with terraces
of green leading up to steeples and citadels of living antiquity,
and Newport climbing wraithlike from its dreaming breakwater.
Arkham is there, with its moss-grown gambrel roofs and the rocky
rolling meadows behind it; and antediluvian Kingsport hoary with
stacked chimneys and deserted quays and overhanging gables, and
the marvel of high cliffs and the milky-misted ocean with tolling
buoys beyond.
"Cool vales in Concord, cobbled lands in Portsmouth,
The Dream-Quest of Unknown Kadath |
