| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from The Emerald City of Oz by L. Frank Baum: success in gaining such powerful allies.
But there were other people, too, just as important as the Whimsies,
whom the clever old Nome had determined to win to his side.
7. How Aunt Em Conquered the Lion
"These are your rooms," said Dorothy, opening a door.
Aunt Em drew back at the sight of the splendid furniture and draperies.
"Ain't there any place to wipe my feet?" she asked.
"You will soon change your slippers for new shoes," replied Dorothy.
"Don't be afraid, Aunt Em. Here is where you are to live, so walk
right in and make yourself at home."
Aunt Em advanced hesitatingly.
The Emerald City of Oz |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Love Songs by Sara Teasdale: When you unloosed my hair and kissed
The head that lay against your knees
In the leaf shadow's amethyst.
And still another shining place
We would remember -- how the dun
Wild mountain held us on its crest
One diamond morning white with sun.
But I will turn my eyes from you
As women turn to put away
The jewels they have worn at night
And cannot wear in sober day.
|
| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from Moran of the Lady Letty by Frank Norris: in a low voice. "I've been to sea for--" Then suddenly she cried
aloud: "Steady all, she's lifting again!"
The schooner heaved slowly under them, this time by the stern. Up
she went, up and up, while Wilbur gripped at a stay to keep his
place, and tried to choke down his heart, that seemed to beat
against his palate.
"God!" ejaculated Moran, her eyes blazing. "This thing is--" The
"Bertha" came suddenly down to an easy keel, rocking in that
glassy sea as if in a tide rip. The deck was awash with oil. Far
out in the bay the ripples widening from the schooner blurred the
reflections of the stars. The Chinamen swarmed up the hatch-way,
|
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 Trooper Peter Halket of Mashonaland by Olive Schreiner: in which he first saw light.
The stranger watched the fire; then he said musingly, "I have seen a land
far from here. In that land are men of two kinds who live side by side.
Well nigh a thousand years ago one conquered the other; they have lived
together since. Today the one people seeks to drive forth the other who
conquered them. Are these men rebels, too?"
"Well," said Peter, pleased at being deferred to, "that all depends who
they are, you know!"
"They call the one nation Turks, and the other Armenians," said the
stranger.
"Oh, the Armenians aren't rebels," said Peter; "they are on our side! The
|
