| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from The Rape of Lucrece by William Shakespeare: And with good thoughts makes dispensation,
Urging the worser sense for vantage still;
Which in a moment doth confound and kill
All pure effects, and doth so far proceed,
That what is vile shows like a virtuous deed.
Quoth he, 'She took me kindly by the hand,
And gaz'd for tidings in my eager eyes,
Fearing some hard news from the warlike band,
Where her beloved Collatinus lies.
O how her fear did make her colour rise!
First red as roses that on lawn we lay,
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The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Ballads by Robert Louis Stevenson: Of yore in his youth, as an aito, Rahero wandered the land,
Delighting maids with his tongue, smiting men with his hand.
Famous he was in his youth; but before the midst of his life
Paused, and fashioned a song of farewell to glory and strife.
HOUSE OF MINE (IT WENT), HOUSE UPON THE SEA,
BELOV'D OF ALL MY FATHERS, MORE BELOV'D BY ME!
VALE OF THE STRONG HONOURA, DEEP RAVINE OF PAI,
AGAIN IN YOUR WOODY SUMMITS I HEAR THE TRADE-WIND CRY.
HOUSE OF MINE, IN YOUR WALLS, STRONG SOUNDS THE SEA,
OF ALL SOUNDS ON EARTH, DEAREST SOUND TO ME.
I HAVE HEARD THE APPLAUSE OF MEN, I HAVE HEARD IT ARISE AND DIE:
Ballads |
| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from Tarzan of the Apes by Edgar Rice Burroughs: worshipping his divinity as mortal man ever comes to worship.
While he waited he passed the time printing a message to
her; whether he intended giving it to her he himself could not
have told, but he took infinite pleasure in seeing his thoughts
expressed in print--in which he was not so uncivilized after
all. He wrote:
I am Tarzan of the Apes. I want you. I am yours. You are
mine. We live here together always in my house. I will bring
you the best of fruits, the tenderest deer, the finest meats that
roam the jungle. I will hunt for you. I am the greatest of the
jungle fighters. I will fight for you. I am the mightiest of the
Tarzan of the Apes |
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 Lay Morals by Robert Louis Stevenson: he had not a stiver, but he was drunk enough. He said you
might live on in the castle, and Mr. Archer would pay you;
but you was to look for no more wages, since he would be glad
of them himself.'
Jonathan's face contracted; the flush of a black, bilious
anger mounted to the roots of his hair; he gave an
inarticulate cry, leapt upon his feet, and began rapidly
pacing the stone floor. At first he kept his hands behind
his back in a tight knot; then he began to gesticulate as he
turned.
'This man - this lord,' he shouted, 'who is he? He was born
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