| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from Rezanov by Gertrude Atherton: morning had left her with but a remnant of endur-
ance for the domestic battleground.
"Go," she whispered, as he took her in his arms.
"Return for the dance to-night as if nothing had
happened-- I forgot, there is to be a bull-bear
fight in the square. So much the better, for it is in
your honor, and you could not well remain away.
There is much trouble to come, but in the end we
shall win."
XVII
The muscles in Dona Ignacia's cheeks fell an inch
 Rezanov |
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 The Contrast by Royall Tyler: JONATHAN
Swamp it--laugh by rule! Well, I should like that
tarnally.
JESSAMY
Why, you know, Mr. Jonathan, that to dance, a
lady to play with her fan, or a gentleman with his cane,
and all other natural motions, are regulated by art.
My master has composed an immensely pretty gamut,
by which any lady or gentleman, with a few years'
close application, may learn to laugh as gracefully as
if they were born and bred to it.
|