| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Rasselas, Prince of Abyssinia by Samuel Johnson: knowledge nothing but as it is communicated. They must therefore
be imparted to others, and to whom could I now delight to impart
them? Goodness affords the only comfort which can be enjoyed
without a partner, and goodness may be practised in retirement."
"How far solitude may admit goodness or advance it, I shall not,"
replied Imlac, "dispute at present. Remember the confession of the
pious hermit. You will wish to return into the world when the
image of your companion has left your thoughts."
"That time," said Nekayah, "will never come. The generous
frankness, the modest obsequiousness, and the faithful secrecy of
my dear Pekuah will always be more missed as I shall live longer to
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The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Malbone: An Oldport Romance by Thomas Wentworth Higginson: half-superstitious wonder, and listened half mechanically to a
rough sailor's voice at his ear:--
"God! old Joe was right. There's one wreck that is bound to
make many. The light-ship has parted."
"Drifting ashore," said Harry, his accustomed clearness of head
coming back at a flash. "Where will she strike?"
"Price's Neck," said the sailor.
Harry turned to Philip and spoke to him, shouting in his ear
the explanation. Malbone's lips moved mechanically, but he said
nothing. Passively, he let Harry take him by the arm, and lead
him on.
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| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from The Golden Threshold by Sarojini Naidu: Nay, no longer ye may linger
With your laughter-lighted faces,
Now I am a thought-worn singer
In life's high and lonely places.
Fairy fancies, fly away,
To bright wind-inwoven spaces,
Fly away!
POEMS
ODE TO H.H. THE NIZAM OF HYDERABAD
(Presented at the Ramzan Durbar)
Deign, Prince, my tribute to receive,
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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 Malbone: An Oldport Romance by Thomas Wentworth Higginson: went into the empty drawing-room for a light. Philip, after a
moment's hesitation, followed her, and paused in the doorway.
She stood, a white-robed figure, holding the lighted candle;
behind her rose the arched alcove, whose quaint cherubs looked
down on her; she seemed to have stepped forth, the awakened
image of a saint. Looking up, she saw his eager glance; then
she colored, trembled, and put the candle down. He came to her,
took her hand and kissed it, then put his hand upon her brow
and gazed into her face, then kissed her lips. She quietly
yielded, but her color came and went, and her lips moved as if
to speak. For a moment he saw her only, thought only of her.
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