| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Bab:A Sub-Deb, Mary Roberts Rinehart by Mary Roberts Rinehart: fragments, but from malted milk tablets, so to speak, and now it
was pursuing me to an early grave. For I felt that I simply could
not continue to live.
"Now--where does he live?"
"I--don't know, mother."
"You sent him a Letter."
"I don't know where he lives, anyhow."
"Leila," mother said, "will you ask Hannah to bring my smelling salts?"
"Aren't you going to give me the book?" I asked. "It--it
sounds interesting."
"You are shameless," mother said, and threw the thing into the
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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 Symposium by Xenophon: Syracusan entered, with a speech:
With your good pleasure, sirs, Ariadne is about to enter the bridal
chamber set apart for her and Dionysus. Anon Dionysus will appear,
fresh from the table of the gods, wine-flushed, and enter to his
bride. In the last scene the two will play[2] with one another.
[2] {paixountai}. The Syracusan naturally uses the Doric form. See
Cobet, "Pros. Xen." p. 16, note 23. Rutherford, "N. Phrynicus," p.
91.
He had scarce concluded, when Ariadne entered, attired like a bride.
She crossed the stage and sate herself upon the throne. Meanwhile,
before the god himself appeared a sound of flutes was heard; the
The Symposium |
| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from The Gift of the Magi by O. Henry: and receive gifts, such as they are wisest. Everywhere they
are wisest. They are the magi.
End of this Project Gutenberg Etext of THE GIFT OF THE MAGI.
The Gift of the Magi |
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 Euthydemus by Plato: Good, I said, fairest and wisest Cleinias. And is this true?
Certainly, he said; just as a general when he takes a city or a camp hands
over his new acquisition to the statesman, for he does not know how to use
them himself; or as the quail-taker transfers the quails to the keeper of
them. If we are looking for the art which is to make us blessed, and which
is able to use that which it makes or takes, the art of the general is not
the one, and some other must be found.
CRITO: And do you mean, Socrates, that the youngster said all this?
SOCRATES: Are you incredulous, Crito?
CRITO: Indeed, I am; for if he did say so, then in my opinion he needs
neither Euthydemus nor any one else to be his instructor.
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