| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from The Koran: And whoso responds not to God's crier shall not frustrate Him in the
earth, and shall not have any patrons beside Him:-these are in obvious
error!
Did they not see that God who created the heavens and the earth, and
was not wearied with creating them, is able to quicken the dead?- nay,
verily, He is mighty over all!
And the day when those who misbelieve shall be exposed to the
fire,-'Is not this the truth?' they shall say, 'Yea, by our Lord!'
He shall say, 'Then taste the torment for that ye did misbelieve!'
Then do thou be patient, as the apostles endowed with a purpose were
patient, and hasten not on (their punishment). It shall be to them, on
The Koran |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Charmides and Other Poems by Oscar Wilde: Crept to the fane unnoticed by the crowd
Of busy priests, and from some dark retreat
Watched the young swains his frolic playmates bring
The firstling of their little flock, and the shy shepherd fling
The crackling salt upon the flame, or hang
His studded crook against the temple wall
To Her who keeps away the ravenous fang
Of the base wolf from homestead and from stall;
And then the clear-voiced maidens 'gan to sing,
And to the altar each man brought some goodly offering,
A beechen cup brimming with milky foam,
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