| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from The Mad King by Edgar Rice Burroughs: Custer that that young gentleman could recall having ven-
tured upon for some time.
No one paid the slightest attention to him. He had left
his gun in the shed for he noticed that only the men on
guard carried them. Without an instant's hesitation he ran
briskly up the short flight of steps and entered the head-
quarters building. Inside was another sentry who barred his
way questioningly. Evidently one must state one's business
to this person before going farther. Barney, without any
loss of time or composure, stepped up to the guard.
"Has General Kampf passed in this morning?" he asked
The Mad King |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from At the Earth's Core by Edgar Rice Burroughs: As we drew nearer the barrier cliffs and no sign of rescuing
Sarians appeared Ghak became both angry and alarmed,
and presently as the sound of rapidly approaching pursuit
fell upon our ears, he called to me over his shoulder
that we were lost.
A backward glance gave me a glimpse of the first of
the Sagoths at the far end of a considerable stretch
of canyon through which we had just passed, and then
a sudden turning shut the ugly creature from my view;
but the loud howl of triumphant rage which rose behind
us was evidence that the gorilla-man had sighted us.
At the Earth's Core |
| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from Christ in Flanders by Honore de Balzac: by a wave, to be cast back into the dark depths; the shallop quivered
like a fragile leaf, the plaything of the north wind in the autumn;
the hull creaked, it seemed ready to go to pieces. Fearful shrieks
went up, followed by an awful silence.
There was a strange difference between the behavior of the folk in the
bows and that of the rich or great people at the other end of the
boat. The young mother clasped her infant tightly to her breast every
time that a great wave threatened to engulf the fragile vessel; but
she clung to the hope that the stranger's words had set in her heart.
Each time that the eyes turned to his face she drew fresh faith at the
sight, the strong faith of a helpless woman, a mother's faith. She
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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 Barlaam and Ioasaph by St. John of Damascus: will it, I shall see the king's face no more." Then was the
prince exceeding glad, and joyfully heard his saying. And he
embraced and kissed him affectionately; and, when he had prayed
earnestly to God, he sent him forth from the palace.
So Nachor stepped forth with a contrite heart, and went bounding
into the depths of the desert, like as doth an hart, and came to
a den belonging to a monk that had attained to the dignity of the
priesthood, and was hiding there for fear of the pressing danger.
With a right warm heart knelt Nachor down before him, and washed
his feet with his tears, like the harlot of old, and craved holy
Baptism. The priest, full of heavenly grace, was passing glad,
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