| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from The Divine Comedy (translated by H.F. Cary) by Dante Alighieri: v. 30. The chosen vessel.] St.Paul, Acts, c. ix. v. 15. "But
the Lord said unto him, Go thy way; for he is a chosen vessel
unto me."
v. 46. Thy soul.] L'anima tua e da viltate offesa. So in Berni,
Orl Inn.lib. iii. c. i. st. 53.
Se l'alma avete offesa da viltate.
v. 64. Who rest suspended.] The spirits in Limbo, neither
admitted to a state of glory nor doomed to punishment.
v. 61. A friend not of my fortune, but myself.] Se non fortunae
sed hominibus solere esse amicum. Cornelii Nepotis Attici Vitae,
c. ix.
The Divine Comedy (translated by H.F. Cary) |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from The Son of Tarzan by Edgar Rice Burroughs: El Adrea was quite dead. No more will he slink silently
upon his unsuspecting prey. No more will his great head and
his maned shoulders strike terror to the hearts of the grass
eaters at the drinking ford by night. No more will his
thundering roar shake the ground. El Adrea is dead.
They beat his body terribly when it was brought into the village;
but El Adrea did not mind. He did not feel the blows, for he
was dead. When I am dead, Geeka, neither shall I feel the blows
of Mabunu, or the kicks of The Sheik, my father. Then shall I
be happy. Oh, Geeka, how I wish that I were dead!"
If Geeka contemplated a remonstrance it was cut short by sounds
The Son of Tarzan |
| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from Royalty Restored/London Under Charles II by J. Fitzgerald Molloy: wished to take the air; and that its surface might more quickly
dry after rain, it was raised by an easy ascent to the centre,
where stood a sundial fixed on a black marble pillar, at the base
of which were stone steps, "whereon the weary' might rest."
The west side of the square was flanked by the handsome portico
of St. Paul's Church, erected at the expense of Francis, Earl of
Bedford, from designs by Mr. Inigo Jones; the south side opened
to Bedford Gardens, "where there is a small grotto of trees, most
pleasant in the summer season. Here, on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and
Saturdays, a market was held, well stocked with roots, fruits,
herbs, and flowers. On the north and east sides stood large and
|
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 End of the Tether by Joseph Conrad: "Give it up to me! Give it up!"
"No," said Captain Whalley; "I could not give it up.
You had better go. Don't wait, man, if you want to
live. She's settling down by the head fast. No; I shall
keep it, but I shall stay on board."
Massy did not seem to understand; but the love of life,
awakened suddenly, drove him away from the bridge.
Captain Whalley laid the coat down, and stumbled
amongst the heaps of wreckage to the side.
"Is Mr. Massy in with you?" he called out into the
night.
End of the Tether |
