| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from The Mayflower Compact: for our better Ordering and Preservation, and Furtherance
of the Ends aforesaid; And by Virtue hereof do enact,
constitute, and frame, such just and equall Laws, Ordinances,
Acts, Constitutions, and Offices, from time to time,
as shall be thought most meete and convenient for the
Generall Good of the Colonie; unto which we promise
all due Submission and Obedience.
In Witness whereof we have hereunto subscribed our names
at Cape Cod the eleventh of November, in the Raigne of our
Sovereigne Lord, King James of England, France, and Ireland,
the eighteenth, and of Scotland, the fiftie-fourth,
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The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Rasselas, Prince of Abyssinia by Samuel Johnson: afflictions."
CHAPTER XLVII - THE PRINCE ENTERS, AND BRINGS A NEW TOPIC.
"ALL this," said the astronomer, "I have often thought; but my
reason has been so long subjugated by an uncontrollable and
overwhelming idea, that it durst not confide in its own decisions.
I now see how fatally I betrayed my quiet, by suffering chimeras to
prey upon me in secret; but melancholy shrinks from communication,
and I never found a man before to whom I could impart my troubles,
though I had been certain of relief. I rejoice to find my own
sentiments confirmed by yours, who are not easily deceived, and can
have no motive or purpose to deceive. I hope that time and variety
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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 Black Dwarf by Walter Scott: "MY DEAREST CHILD,
The malice of a persecuting government will compel me, for my own
safety, to retreat abroad, and to remain for some time in foreign
parts. I do not ask you to accompany, or follow me; you will
attend to my interest and your own more effectually by remaining
where you are. It is unnecessary to enter into a minute detail
concerning the causes of the strange events which yesterday took
place. I think I have reason to complain of the usage I have
received from Sir Edward Mauley, who is your nearest kinsman by
the mother's side; but as he has declared you his heir, and is to
put you in immediate possession of a large part of his fortune, I
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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 Beauty and The Beast by Bayard Taylor: are in the quiet skies;' but scarcely had she finished the first
verse before Abel interrupted her.
"`Candor's the order of the day, isn't it?' he asked.
"`Yes!' `Yes!' two or three answered.
"`Well then,' said he, `candidly, Pauline, you've got the darn'dest
squeaky voice'--
"Miss Ringtop gave a faint little scream of horror.
"`Oh, never mind!' he continued. `We act according to
impulse, don't we? And I've the impulse to swear; and it's right.
Let Nature have her way. Listen! Damn, damn, damn, damn! I never
knew it was so easy. Why, there's a pleasure in it! Try it,
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