| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Bucky O'Connor by William MacLeod Raine: sinister smile.
O'Connor shrugged, answering in Spanish: "I am Romany. Who shall
say, whether American, or Spanish, or Bohemian? All nations call
to me, but none claim me, senor."
The lieutenant continued to smile his meaning grin. "Yet you are
American," he persisted.
"Oh, as you please. I am what you will, lieutenant."
"You speak the English like a native."
"You are complimentary."
Chaves lifted his eyebrows. "For believing that you are in
costume, that you are wearing a disguise, Mr. American?"
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The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Phaedrus by Plato: is bliss; and this having once enjoyed they continue to enjoy, yet rarely
because they have not the approval of the whole soul. They too are dear,
but not so dear to one another as the others, either at the time of their
love or afterwards. They consider that they have given and taken from each
other the most sacred pledges, and they may not break them and fall into
enmity. At last they pass out of the body, unwinged, but eager to soar,
and thus obtain no mean reward of love and madness. For those who have
once begun the heavenward pilgrimage may not go down again to darkness and
the journey beneath the earth, but they live in light always; happy
companions in their pilgrimage, and when the time comes at which they
receive their wings they have the same plumage because of their love.
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