| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Uncle Tom's Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe: effort--"Mr. Wilson, you have shown yourself a Christian in
your treatment of me,--I want to ask one last deed of Christian
kindness of you."
"Well, George."
"Well, sir,--what you said was true. I _am_ running a
dreadful risk. There isn't, on earth, a living soul to care if I
die," he added, drawing his breath hard, and speaking with a great
effort,--"I shall be kicked out and buried like a dog, and nobody'll
think of it a day after,--_only my poor wife!_ Poor soul! she'll
mourn and grieve; and if you'd only contrive, Mr. Wilson, to send
this little pin to her. She gave it to me for a Christmas present,
Uncle Tom's Cabin |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Taras Bulba and Other Tales by Nikolai Vasilievich Gogol: involuntarily grew pensive as they remembered their old mother. What
did this blessing prophecy? Was it a blessing for their victory over
the enemy, and then a joyous return to their home with booty and
glory, to be everlastingly commemorated in the songs of
guitar-players? or was it . . . ? But the future is unknown, and
stands before a man like autumnal fogs rising from the swamps; birds
fly foolishly up and down in it with flapping wings, never recognising
each other, the dove seeing not the vulture, nor the vulture the dove,
and no one knowing how far he may be flying from destruction.
Ostap had long since attended to his duties and gone to the kuren.
Andrii, without knowing why, felt a kind of oppression at his heart.
Taras Bulba and Other Tales |
| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from Maid Marian by Thomas Love Peacock: and I will produce sixty commentators to establish my exposition."
And so saying, he produced a horn from beneath his cloak, and blew
three blasts, and threescore bowmen in green came leaping from the bushes
and trees; and young Allen was the first among them to give Robin
his sword, while Friar Tuck and Little John marched up to the altar.
Robin stripped the bishop and clerk of their robes, and put them on the friar
and Little John; and Allen advanced to take the hand of the bride.
Her cheeks grew red and her eyes grew bright, as she locked her hand
in her lover's, and tripped lightly with him into the church.
"This marriage will not stand," said the bishop, "for they have not been
thrice asked in church."
|
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 Koran: if thou shouldst bring them a sign then those who misbelieve will
surely say, 'Ye are but followers of vanity; thus does God set a stamp
upon the hearts of those who do not know.'
Be thou patient then; verily, God's promise is true! and let them
not flurry thee who are not sure.
THE CHAPTER OF LOQMAN
(XXXI. Mecca.)
IN the name of the merciful and compassionate God.
ALIF LAM MIM. These are the signs of the wise Book, a guidance and a
mercy to those who do well, who are steadfast in prayer and give
alms and who of the hereafter are sure; these are in guidance from
The Koran |
