| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Venus and Adonis by William Shakespeare: Now she adds honours to his hateful name;
She clepes him king of graves, and grave for kings,
Imperious supreme of all mortal things. 996
'No, no,' quoth she, 'sweet Death, I did but jest;
Yet pardon me, I felt a kind of fear
Whenas I met the boar, that bloody beast,
Which knows no pity, but is still severe; 1000
Then, gentle shadow,--truth I must confess--
I rail'd on thee, fearing my love's decease.
'Tis not my fault: the boar provok'd my tongue;
Be wreak'd on him, invisible commander; 1004
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The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Wyoming by William MacLeod Raine: disqualified for riding on his spurs," said Texas reminiscently.
At which hit Denver retired, for not three hours before he had
been detected digging his spurs into the cinch to help him stick
to the saddle.
"Jim McWilliams will ride Dead Easy," came the announcement
through the megaphone, and a burst of cheering passed along the
grand stand, for the sunny smile of the foreman of the Lazy D
made him a general favorite. Helen leaned forward and whispered
something gaily to Nora, who sat in the seat in front of her. The
Irish girl laughed and blushed, but when her mistress looked up
it was her turn to feel the mounting color creep into her cheeks.
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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 Light of Western Stars by Zane Grey: poor Luki's feet dragging across me. He screamed, 'Save me,
master!' And instinctively I grasped at him and caught his foot.
The lion walked out of the tent dragging me as I held to Luki's
foot. The night was bright moonlight. I could see the lion
distinctly. He was a huge, black-maned brute, and he held Luki
by the shoulder. The poor lad kept screaming frightfully. The
man-eater must have dragged me forty yards before he became aware
of a double incumbrance to his progress. Then he halted and
turned. By Jove! he made a devilish fierce object with his
shaggy, massive head, his green-fire eyes, and his huge jaws
holding Luki. I let go of Luki's foot and bethought myself of
The Light of Western Stars |
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 Aeroplanes and Dirigibles of War by Frederick A. Talbot: and French navies are concerned, the former process is
preferred. Again, when the waterplane returns from a flight
it is admitted that it is simpler, quicker, and safer for it
to settle upon the water near the parent ship and to be lifted
on board.
As a sea-scout the waterplane is overwhelmingly superior to
the dirigible as events have conclusively proved. Its
greater mobility and speed stand it in excellent stead
because it is able to cover a larger area within a shorter
space of time than its huge and unwieldy contemporary.
Furthermore, it is a difficult target to hit and accordingly
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