| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Tattine by Ruth Ogden [Mrs. Charles W. Ide]: who have never been trained to hunt, go wild over the rabbits. They have
inherited the taste."
"Trained to hunt," said Tattine thoughtfully. "Do you mean that men just went
to work to teach them to be so cruel?"
"Well, I suppose in a way setters are natural hunters, Tattine, but then their
training has doubtless a great deal to do with it, but I want to tell you
something that I think will give you just a grain of comfort. I read the other
day that Sir John Franklin, the great Arctic explorer, who almost lost his
life in being attacked by some huge animal--it must have been a bear, I
think--says that the animal when he first gets you in his teeth gives you such
a shake that it paralyzes your nerves--this is, it benumbs all your feelings,
|
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from The Koran: does not wish to make any hindrance for you; but He wishes. to
purify you and to fulfil his favour upon you; haply ye may give
thanks.
Remember the favour of God to you and His covenant which He
covenanted with you, when ye said, 'We hear and we obey;' and fear
God, verily, God knows the nature of men's breasts.
O ye who believe! stand steadfast to God as witnesses with
justice; and let not ill-will towards people make you sin by not
acting with equity. Act with equity, that is nearer to piety, and fear
God; for God is aware of what ye do.
God has promised to those who believe and work righteousness, that
The Koran |
| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from Daisy Miller by Henry James: Mrs. Walker's eyes. "Get in here, sir," she said to Winterbourne,
indicating the place beside her. The young man answered that he felt
bound to accompany Miss Miller, whereupon Mrs. Walker declared that
if he refused her this favor she would never speak to him again.
She was evidently in earnest. Winterbourne overtook Daisy and
her companion, and, offering the young girl his hand, told her
that Mrs. Walker had made an imperious claim upon his society.
He expected that in answer she would say something rather free,
something to commit herself still further to that "recklessness"
from which Mrs. Walker had so charitably endeavored to dissuade her.
But she only shook his hand, hardly looking at him, while Mr. Giovanelli
|
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 Black Arrow by Robert Louis Stevenson: then, shutting his eyes tight and opening his mouth like a
precentor, he began to thunder, in a formidable voice:
"If ye should drink the clary wine" -
"Peace, sot!" cried Dick, and thrust him hard against the wall.
"In two words - if so be that such a man can understand me who hath
more wine than wit in him - in two words, and, a-Mary's name,
begone out of this house, where, if ye continue to abide, ye will
not only hang yourself, but me also! Faith, then, up foot! be
yare, or, by the mass, I may forget that I am in some sort your
captain and in some your debtor! Go!"
The sham monk was now, in some degree, recovering the use of his
|
