| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from An Historical Mystery by Honore de Balzac: it in the rapid actions of the man, whose countenance shone, whose
forehead spoke, whose brilliant eyes glittered like stars; they saw it
in the sweat that covered his brow to the roots of his hair, while
more than once his voice vibrated with impatience and fury. Marthe
obeyed passively. Armed to the teeth and with his gun over his
shoulder Michu dashed into the avenue, followed by his wife. They soon
reached the cross-roads where Francois was in waiting hidden among the
bushes.
"The boy is intelligent," said Michu, when he caught sight of him.
These were his first words. His wife had rushed after him, unable to
speak.
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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 Sentimental Journey by Laurence Sterne: moment sooner! it bleeds to death! - his gentle heart bleeds with
it. -
Peace to thee, generous swain! - I see thou walkest off with
anguish, - but thy joys shall balance it; - for, happy is thy
cottage, - and happy is the sharer of it, - and happy are the lambs
which sport about you!
THE SUPPER.
A SHOE coming loose from the fore foot of the thill-horse, at the
beginning of the ascent of mount Taurira, the postilion dismounted,
twisted the shoe off, and put it in his pocket; as the ascent was
of five or six miles, and that horse our main dependence, I made a
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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 Poems by Bronte Sisters: To smile when trials seek to whelm
And stand mid testing fires unhurt!
Hurling hell's strongest bulwarks down,
Even when the last pang thrills my breast,
When death bestows the martyr's crown,
And calls me into Jesus' rest.
Then for my ultimate reward--
Then for the world-rejoicing word--
The voice from Father--Spirit--Son:
"Servant of God, well hast thou done!"
*
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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 Outlaw of Torn by Edgar Rice Burroughs: these wild companies that comported well with their
reputation.
Recruited from all ranks of society and from every
civilized country of Europe the great horde of Torn
numbered in its ten companies serf and noble; Britain,
Saxon, Norman, Dane, German, Italian and French, Scot,
Pict and Irish.
Here birth caused no distinctions; the escaped serf,
with the gall marks of his brass collar still visible about
his neck, rode shoulder to shoulder with the outlawed
scion of a noble house. The only requisites for admis-
The Outlaw of Torn |
