| 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: conceived only in fear of the end? My poem sets this forth."--
Wagner to Roeckel, 25th Jan. 1854.
The scene then changes to the hall of the Gibichungs by the
Rhine. It is night; and Gutrune, unable to sleep, and haunted by
all sorts of vague terrors, is waiting for the return of her
husband, and wondering whether a ghostly figure she has seen
gliding down to the river bank is Brynhild, whose room is empty.
Then comes the cry of Hagen, returning with the hunting party to
announce the death of Siegfried by the tusk of a wild boar. But
Gutrune divines the truth; and Hagen does not deny it.
Siegfried's body is brought in; Gunther claims the ring; Hagen
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The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from A Second Home by Honore de Balzac: by grief and toil. And he dreaded any connection or intimacy with
women of the world, having no hope of finding any consolation.
The improving history of this melancholy household gave rise to no
events worthy of record during the fifteen years between 1806 and
1825. Madame de Granville was exactly the same after losing her
husband's affection as she had been during the time when she called
herself happy. She paid for Masses, beseeching God and the Saints to
enlighten her as to what the faults were which displeased her husband,
and to show her the way to restore the erring sheep; but the more
fervent her prayers, the less was Granville to be seen at home.
For about five years now, having achieved a high position as a judge,
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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 Egmont by Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe: been no disturbance?
Gomez. Why, as for that, it was tolerably quiet when we arrived.
Silva. The provinces have become much more tranquil; if there is any
movement now, it is only among those who wish to escape; and to them,
methinks, the duke will speedily close every outlet.
Gomez. This service cannot fail to win for him the favour of the king.
Silva. And nothing is more expedient for us than to retain his. Should the
king come hither, the duke doubtless and all whom he recommends will
not go without their reward.
Gomez. Do you really believe then that the king will come?
Silva. So many preparations are being made, that the report appears highly
Egmont |
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 The Cruise of the Jasper B. by Don Marquis: "It was not I who suggested the delay," said Cleggett, haughtily.
"Then give us the pistols," cried Loge, with a sudden, grim
ferocity in his voice, "and let's make an end of it!"
"We fight with swords," said Cleggett. "I am the challenged
party."
"Ho! Swords!" cried Loge, with a harsh, jarring laugh. "A bout
with the rapiers, man to man, eh? Come, this is better and
better! I may go to the chair, but first I will spit you like a
squab on a skewer, my little nut!" And then he said again, with
a shout of gusty mirth, and a clanking of his manacles: "Swords,
eh? By God! The little man says SWORDS!"
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