| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from De Profundis by Oscar Wilde: is aware that I was even conscious of his action. It is not a
thing for which one can render formal thanks in formal words. I
store it in the treasure-house of my heart. I keep it there as a
secret debt that I am glad to think I can never possibly repay. It
is embalmed and kept sweet by the myrrh and cassia of many tears.
When wisdom has been profitless to me, philosophy barren, and the
proverbs and phrases of those who have sought to give me
consolation as dust and ashes in my mouth, the memory of that
little, lovely, silent act of love has unsealed for me all the
wells of pity: made the desert blossom like a rose, and brought me
out of the bitterness of lonely exile into harmony with the
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The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Marie by H. Rider Haggard: reach of them. My poor boy, I think you will have a bad time of it
between the stinkcat and the mule, although you have done so much for
both of them. Well, there is one thing--Marie has a true heart. She
will never marry any man except yourself, Allan--even if you are not
here to marry," she added by an afterthought.
The old lady paused a little, staring at the ground. Then she looked up
and said:
"Allan, my dear" (for she was really fond of me, and called me thus at
times), "you didn't take the advice I gave you, namely, to look for
Pereira and not to find him. Well, I will give you some more, which you
_will_ take if you are wise."
Marie |
