| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Rivers to the Sea by Sara Teasdale: Tired with summer.
Let me remember you, voices of little insects,
Weeds in the moonlight, fields that are tangled with asters,
Let me remember you, soon will the winter be on us,
Snow-hushed and heartless.
RIVERS TO THE SEA
Over my soul murmur your mute benediction
While I gaze, oh fields that rest after harvest,
As those who part look long in the eyes they lean to,
Lest they forget them.
THE SEA WIND
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The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Herodias by Gustave Flaubert: forced to cease their lamentations and to make music upon the zither,
and the bravest of thy sons shall learn to bend their backs, chafed
with heavy burdens."
The listeners remembered the days of exile, and all the misfortunes
and catastrophes of the past. These words were like the anathemas of
the ancient prophets. The captive thundered them forth like bolts from
heaven.
Presently his voice became almost as sweet and harmonious as if he
were uttering a chant. He spoke of the world's redemption from sin and
sorrow; of the glories of heaven; of gold in place of clay; of the
desert blossoming like the rose. "That which is now worth sixty pieces
Herodias |
