| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from The Cavalry General by Xenophon: it comes to fighting, no one of his own free will assigns himself his
proper post in face of an enemey.
[10] Lit. "where to ride," i.e. in what formation whether on the line
of march or in action.
The above are fundamental matters not to be performed without the
active help of every trooper who would wish to be a zealous and
unhesitating fellow-worker with his officer.[11]
[11] Cf. "Hiero," vii. 2; "Cyrop." II. iv. 10.
III
I come at length to certain duties which devolve upon the general of
cavalry himself in person: and first and foremost, it concerns him to
|
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from The Voice of the City by O. Henry: the discriminating guests of the Lotus. Perhaps
they were drawn one to another by the fact of their
common good fortune in discovering the acme of sum-
mer resorts in a Broadway hotel. Words delicate in
courtesy and tentative in departure from formality
passed between the two. And, as if in the expedient
atmosphere of a real summer resort, an acquaintance
grew, flowered and fructified on the spot as does the
mystic plant of the conjuror. For a few moments
they stood on a balcony upon which the corridor
ended, and tossed the feathery ball of conversation.
The Voice of the City |
