| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from Men of Iron by Howard Pyle: his restive raw- boned steed, which began again to caper and
prance. Myles was not sorry for the interruption; he felt awkward
and abashed at the parting, and at the old man's reminiscences,
knowing that Gascoyne's eyes were resting amusedly upon the
scene, and that the men-at-arms were looking on. Certainly old
Diccon did look droll as he struggled vainly with his vicious
high-necked nag. "Nay, a murrain on thee! an' thou wilt go, go!"
cried he at last, with a savage dig of his heels into the
animal's ribs, and away they clattered, the led-horse kicking up
its heels as a final parting, setting Gascoyne fairly alaughing.
At the bend of the road the old man turned and nodded his head;
 Men of Iron |
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 The Road to Oz by L. Frank Baum: Chamberlain knelt to announce his name.
"The most Mighty and Loyal Friend of Children, His Supreme
Highness--Santa Claus!" said the Chamberlain, in an awed voice.
"Well, well, well! Glad to see you--glad to meet you all!" cried
Santa Claus, briskly, as he trotted up the long room.
He was round as an apple, with a fresh rosy face, laughing eyes, and
a bushy beard as white as snow. A red cloak trimmed with beautiful
ermine hung from his shoulders and upon his back was a basket filled
with pretty presents for the Princess Ozma.
"Hello, Dorothy; still having adventures?" he asked in his jolly way,
as he took the girl's hand in both his own.
 The Road to Oz |