| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from The Dream-Quest of Unknown Kadath by H. P. Lovecraft: cold waste north of Inquanok, for Leng's northward reaches are
full of unseen pitfalls that even the night-gaunts dislike; abysmal
influences centering in certain white hemispherical buildings
on curious knolls, which common folklore associates unpleasantly
with the Other Gods and their crawling chaos Nyarlathotep.
Of
Kadath the flutterers of the peaks knew almost nothing, save that
there must be some mighty marvel toward the north, over which
the Shantaks and the carven mountains stand guard. They hinted
at rumoured abnormalities of proportion in those trackless leagues
beyond, and recalled vague whispers of a realm where night broods
The Dream-Quest of Unknown Kadath |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Lost Continent by Edgar Rice Burroughs: snatched from my hands and my revolver from my belt.
I struggled for an instant, but finding my efforts of no
avail, I ceased them, and turned my head to have a look at
my assailants. At the same time several others of them
walked around in front of me, and, to my astonishment, I
found myself looking upon uniformed soldiery, armed with
rifles, revolvers, and sabers, but with faces as black as
coal.
8
Delcorte and Taylor were now in mis-stream, coming toward
us, and I called to them to keep aloof until I knew whether
Lost Continent |
| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from Give Me Liberty Or Give Me Death by Patrick Henry: we have no election. If we were base enough to desire it, it is now too late
to retire from the contest. There is no retreat but in submission and slavery!
Our chains are forged! Their clanking may be heard on the plains of Boston!
The war is inevitable--and let it come! I repeat it, sir, let it come.
It is in vain, sir, to extenuate the matter. Gentlemen may cry, Peace, Peace--
but there is no peace. The war is actually begun! The next gale that sweeps
from the north will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms!
Our brethren are already in the field! Why stand we here idle?
What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have? Is life so dear,
or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery?
Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take;
|
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 Silas Marner by George Eliot: would dig it for us," she went on with roguish triumph--"I knew
that very well."
"You're a deep little puss, you are," said Silas, with the mild
passive happiness of love-crowned age in his face; "but you'll make
yourself fine and beholden to Aaron."
"Oh, no, I shan't," said Eppie, laughing and frisking; "he likes
it."
"Come, come, let me carry your prayer-book, else you'll be dropping
it, jumping i' that way."
Eppie was now aware that her behaviour was under observation, but it
was only the observation of a friendly donkey, browsing with a log
Silas Marner |
