| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Collected Articles by Frederick Douglass: in question was known in Baltimore as "Allender's Jake," but in New York
he wore the more respectable name of "William Dixon." Jake, in law,
was the property of Doctor Allender, and Tolly Allender, the son
of the doctor, had once made an effort to recapture MR. DIXON,
but had failed for want of evidence to support his claim.
Jake told me the circumstances of this attempt, and how narrowly
he escaped being sent back to slavery and torture. He told me that New York
was then full of Southerners returning from the Northern watering-places;
that the colored people of New York were not to be trusted; that there were
hired men of my own color who would betray me for a few dollars;
that there were hired men ever on the lookout for fugitives;
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The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from The Koran: to God who hath bestowed on me, notwithstanding my old age, Ishmael
and Isaac!- verily, my Lord surely hears prayer.
'O my Lord! make me steadfast in prayer, and of my seed likewise!
O our Lord! and accept my prayer! O our Lord! pardon me and my parents
and the believers on the reckoning day!'
So think not God careless of what the unjust do; He only respites
them until the day on which all eyes shall stare!
Hurrying on, raising up their heads, with their looks not turned
back to them, and their hearts void; and warn men of the day when
the torment shall come!
And those who have done wrong shall say, 'O our Lord! respite us
The Koran |
