| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Dreams & Dust by Don Marquis: . . . . . .
Ah, steady now--and one good blow--one straight
stab through the gloom--
Ah, good!--the thrust went home!--she founders--
flounders to her doom!--
Full speed ahead!--those damned quick-firing guns
--but let them bark--
What's that--the dynamos?--they've got us, men!
--Christ! in the dark!
NICHOLAS OF MONTENEGRO
(1912)
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The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from My Aunt Margaret's Mirror by Walter Scott: comprehend why you should occasionally prefer the twilight of
illusion to the steady light of reason."
"Where there is no task," she rejoined, "to be performed, we may
sit in the dark if we like it; if we go to work, we must ring for
candles."
"And amidst such shadowy and doubtful light," continued I,
"imagination frames her enchanted and enchanting visions, and
sometimes passes them upon the senses for reality."
"Yes," said Aunt Margaret, who is a well-read woman, "to those
who resemble the translator of Tasso,--
'Prevailing poet, whose undoubting mind
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