| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Droll Stories, V. 1 by Honore de Balzac: times, by the fortunes of their ancestors, to help to build the bridge
of St. Michael, where the devil cuts a very good figure under the
angel, in memory of this adventure now consigned to these veracious
histories.
THE MERRY JESTS OF KING LOUIS THE ELEVENTH
King Louis The Eleventh was a merry fellow, loving a good joke, and--
the interests of his position as king, and those of the church on one
side--he lived jovially, giving chase to soiled doves as often as to
hares, and other royal game. Therefore, the sorry scribblers who have
made him out a hypocrite, showed plainly that they knew him not, since
he was a good friend, good at repartee, and a jollier fellow than any
Droll Stories, V. 1 |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from The Rig Veda: Dawn while wasting, on the singer.
11 This young Maid from the east hath shone upon us; she harnesseth
her team of bright red oxen.
She will beam forth, the light will hasten hither, and Agni
will be
present in each dwelling.
12 As the birds fly forth from their resting places, so men
with store
of food rise at thy dawning.
Yea, to the liberal mortal who remaineth at home, O Goddess
Dawn, much
The Rig Veda |
| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from The $30,000 Bequest and Other Stories by Mark Twain: angry at fools and babblers, who pride themselves in their impudence
and ignorance? No. My equals! I know not where to find them.
My inferiors! I think it beneath me; and my superiors! I think
it presumption; therefore, if this youthful heart is protected
by any of the divine rights, I never will betray my trust."
He was aware that Ambulinia had a confidence that was, indeed,
as firm and as resolute as she was beautiful and interesting.
He hastened to the cottage of Louisa, who received him in her usual
mode of pleasantness, and informed him that Ambulinia had just that
moment left. "Is it possible?" said Elfonzo. "Oh, murdered hours!
Why did she not remain and be the guardian of my secrets?
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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 The Coxon Fund by Henry James: here and there or giving a twist to a plume. How the art of
portraiture would rejoice in this figure if the art of portraiture
had only the canvas! Nature, in truth, had largely rounded it, and
if memory, hovering about it, sometimes holds her breath, this is
because the voice that comes back was really golden.
Though the great man was an inmate and didn't dress, he kept dinner
on this occasion waiting, and the first words he uttered on coming
into the room were an elated announcement to Mulville that he had
found out something. Not catching the allusion and gaping
doubtless a little at his face, I privately asked Adelaide what he
had found out. I shall never forget the look she gave me as she
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