| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Moran of the Lady Letty by Frank Norris: scare-heads of the daily papers the next morning, chronicling the
disappearance of "One of Society's Most Popular Members."
"That's well, y'r throat halyards. Here, Lilee of the Vallee,
give a couple of pulls on y'r peak halyard purchase."
Wilbur stared at the Captain helplessly.
"No can tell, hey?" inquired Charlie from the galley. "Pullum
disa lope, sabe?"
Wilbur tugged at the rope the cook indicated.
"That's well, y'r peak halyard purchase," chanted Captain
Kitchell.
Wilbur made the rope fast. The mainsail was set, and hung
|
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Montezuma's Daughter by H. Rider Haggard: troth, and with nothing less would she be satisfied. As yet,
though I was deeply moved and the temptation was great, I had not
come to this.
'Be seated, Otomie,' I said, 'and listen to me. You see this
golden token,' and I drew Lily's posy ring from my hand, 'and you
see the writing within it.'
She bent her head but did not speak, and I saw that there was fear
in her eyes.
'I will read you the words, Otomie,' and I translated into the
Aztec tongue the quaint couplet:
Heart to heart,
Montezuma's Daughter |
| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from The Taming of the Shrew by William Shakespeare: HORTENSIO.
[Aside] I see she's like to have neither cap nor gown.
TAILOR.
You bid me make it orderly and well,
According to the fashion and the time.
PETRUCHIO.
Marry, and did; but if you be remember'd,
I did not bid you mar it to the time.
Go, hop me over every kennel home,
For you shall hop without my custom, sir.
I'll none of it: hence! make your best of it.
The Taming of the Shrew |
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 Aesop's Fables by Aesop: a bird henceforth, but all shall dwell together in brotherly
friendship."
"Why, that is good news," said the Cock; "and there I see some
one coming, with whom we can share the good tidings." And so
saying he craned his neck forward and looked afar off.
"What is it you see?" said the Fox.
"It is only my master's Dog that is coming towards us. What,
going so soon?" he continued, as the Fox began to turn away as
soon as he had heard the news. "Will you not stop and
congratulate the Dog on the reign of universal peace?"
"I would gladly do so," said the Fox, "but I fear he may not
Aesop's Fables |
