| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from The Mucker by Edgar Rice Burroughs: "That'll be about all of that, Mr. Theriere," snapped the
first officer, coldly. "I did not embark upon this theatrical
enterprise for amusement--I see nothing funny in it, and I
wish you to remember that I am still your superior officer."
Theriere shrugged. Ward did not chance to catch the ugly
look in his companion's eye. Together they gathered up their
belongings, descended to the office, paid their bill, and a few
moments later were changing back to their sea clothes in the
little hotel where they first had engaged accommodations. Half
an hour later they stepped to the deck of the Halfmoon.
Billy Byrne saw them from where he worked in the vicinity
The Mucker |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Prince Otto by Robert Louis Stevenson: shall be hammering on the gates of Brandenau; and in all Gerolstein
there are not fifteen hundred men who can manoeuvre. It is as
simple as a sum. There can be no resistance.'
'It is no great exploit,' she said. 'Is that what you call glory?
It is like beating a child.'
'The courage, madam, is diplomatic,' he replied. 'We take a grave
step; we fix the eyes of Europe, for the first time, on Grunewald;
and in the negotiations of the next three months, mark me, we stand
or fall. It is there, madam, that I shall have to depend upon your
counsels,' he added, almost gloomily. 'If I had not seen you at
work, if I did not know the fertility of your mind, I own I should
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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 House of Dust by Conrad Aiken: We descend again. We grope through darkened cells.
You say: this darkness, here, will slowly kill me.
It creeps and weighs upon me . . . Is full of bells.
This is the thing remembered I would forget--
No matter where I go, how soft I tread,
This windy gesture menaces me with death.
Fatigue! it says, and points its finger at me;
Touches my throat and stops my breath.
My fans--my jewels--the portrait of my husband--
The torn certificate for my daughter's grave--
These are but mortal seconds in immortal time.
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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 Hamlet by William Shakespeare: fitted
Ophe. There's Fennell for you, and Columbines: ther's
Rew for you, and heere's some for me. Wee may call it
Herbe-Grace a Sundaies: Oh you must weare your Rew
with a difference. There's a Daysie, I would giue you
some Violets, but they wither'd all when my Father dyed:
They say, he made a good end;
For bonny sweet Robin is all my ioy
Laer. Thought, and Affliction, Passion, Hell it selfe:
She turnes to Fauour, and to prettinesse
Ophe. And will he not come againe,
Hamlet |
