| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Concerning Christian Liberty by Martin Luther: sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. But
thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord
Jesus Christ" (1 Cor. xv. 55-57). For death is swallowed up in
victory, not only the victory of Christ, but ours also, since by
faith it becomes ours, and in it we too conquer.
Let it suffice to say this concerning the inner man and its
liberty, and concerning that righteousness of faith which needs
neither laws nor good works; nay, they are even hurtful to it, if
any one pretends to be justified by them.
And now let us turn to the other part: to the outward man. Here
we shall give an answer to all those who, taking offence at 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 Atheist's Mass by Honore de Balzac: alone is enough to make a physician an unbeliever."
Some time elapsed before Doctor Bianchon, though so much his
friend, found an opportunity of speaking to Desplein of this
incident of his life. Though they met in consultation, or in
society, it was difficult to find an hour of confidential
solitude when, sitting with their feet on the fire-dogs and their
head resting on the back of an armchair, two men tell each other
their secrets. At last, seven years later, after the Revolution
of 1830, when the mob invaded the Archbishop's residence, when
Republican agitators spurred them on to destroy the gilt crosses
which flashed like streaks of lightning in the immensity of the
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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 The Perfect Wagnerite: A Commentary on the Niblung's Ring by George Bernard Shaw: echo of the lament of the Rhine maidens for the ravished gold;
and then, finally, a new strain, which does not surge like the
mighty flood of the river, but has an unmistakable tramp of hardy
men and a strong land flavor about it. And on this the opera
curtain at last goes up--for please remember that all that has
gone before is only the overture.
The First Act
We now understand the new tramping strain. We are in the
Rhineside hall of the Gibichungs, in the resence of King Gunther,
his sister Gutrune, and unther's grim half brother Hagen, the
villain of the piece. Gunther is a fool, and has for Hagen's
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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 Flower Fables by Louisa May Alcott: or an unkind, cruel deed is to be done, then will you hear the soft,
low chime of the flower-bell; listen to its warning, let the word
remain unspoken, the deed undone, and in the quiet joy of your own
heart, and the magic perfume of your bosom flower, you will find
a sweet reward."
"O kind and generous Fairy, how can I ever thank you for this lovely
gift!" cried Annie. "I will be true, and listen to my little bell
whenever it may ring. But shall I never see YOU more? Ah! if you
would only stay with me, I should indeed be good."
"I cannot stay now, little Annie," said the Elf, "but when
another Spring comes round, I shall be here again, to see how well
Flower Fables |
