| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from The Man in Lower Ten by Mary Roberts Rinehart: But McKnight never sees any jokes but his own. He flung the horn
clattering into a corner, and collapsed sulkily into a chair.
"Now," I said, "if you're through manicuring that horn, I'll tell
you about my talk with the lady in black."
"What's wrong?" asked McKnight languidly. "Police watching her,
too?"
"Not exactly. The fact is, Rich, there's the mischief to pay."
Stogie came in, bringing a few additions to our comfort. When he
went out I told my story.
"You must remember," I said, "that I had seen this woman before the
morning of the wreck. She was buying her Pullman ticket when I did.
The Man in Lower Ten |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from The Symposium by Xenophon: [92] Lit. "as pander."
[93] So Critobulus in the conversation so often referred to. "Mem."
II. vi.
Never fear (he answered), if only people see your loyalty to virtue is
genuine,[94] not of mere repute. A false renown indeed is quickly seen
for what it is worth, being tested; but true courage[95] (save only
what some god hinder) perpetually amidst the storm and stress of
circumstance[96] pours forth a brighter glory.
[94] See "Mem." I. vii. 1, passim; II. vi. 39; "Econ." x. 9.
[95] Cf. Thuc. ii. 42, {andragathia}, "true courage in the public
service covers a multitude of private shortcomings."
The Symposium |
