| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Louis Lambert by Honore de Balzac: to the science of humanity. I would stand on Lambert's chest,
remaining there for several minutes without giving him the slightest
pain; but notwithstanding these crazy attempts, we did not achieve an
attack of catalepsy.
This digression seemed necessary to account for my first doubts, which
were, however, completely dispelled by Monsieur Lefebvre.
"When this attack had passed off," said he, "my nephew sank into a
state of extreme terror, a dejection that nothing could overcome. He
thought himself unfit for marriage. I watched him with the care of a
mother for her child, and found him preparing to perform on himself
the operation to which Origen believed he owed his talents. I at once
Louis Lambert |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from The Jungle Tales of Tarzan by Edgar Rice Burroughs: which awaited him.
All afternoon he had been working, working, working with the
bonds that held his wrists. Very slowly they were giving.
He might free his hands before they came to lead him out
to be butchered, and if he did--Tarzan licked his lips
in anticipation, and smiled a cold, grim smile. He could
imagine the feel of soft flesh beneath his fingers and the
sinking of his white teeth into the throats of his foemen.
He would let them taste his wrath before they overpowered him!
At last they came--painted, befeathered warriors--even
more hideous than nature had intended them. They came
The Jungle Tales of Tarzan |
| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from Child of Storm by H. Rider Haggard: twentieth, Macumazahn; for I fought with this same Amawombe in all the
Black One's big battles, and for Panda against Dingaan also."
"Perhaps it will be your last," I suggested.
"I dare say, Macumazahn; but what does that matter if only I and the
royal regiment can make an end that shall be spoken of? Oh, cheer up,
cheer up, Macumazahn; your Spirit, too, looks towards you, as I promise
that we all will do when the shields meet; for know, Macumazahn, that we
poor black soldiers expect that you will show us how to fight this day,
and, if need be, how to fall hidden in a heap of the foe."
"Oh!" I replied, "so this is what you Zulus mean by the 'giving of
counsel,' is it?--you infernal, bloodthirsty old scoundrel," I added in
Child of Storm |
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 Marvelous Land of Oz by L. Frank Baum: hungry, too!"
"Here is a new danger!" remarked Jack, gloomily. "I hope you are not fond of
eating pumpkins."
"Not unless they're stewed and made into pies," answered the boy, laughing.
"So have no fears of me, friend Jack."
"What a coward that Pumpkinhead is!" said the Saw-Horse, scornfully.
"You might be a coward yourself, if you knew you were liable to spoil!"
retorted Jack, angrily.
"There! -- there!" interrupted the Scarecrow; "don't let us quarrel. We all
have our weaknesses, dear friends; so we must strive to be considerate of
one another. And since this poor boy is hungry and has nothing whatever to
The Marvelous Land of Oz |
