| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Danny's Own Story by Don Marquis: it was that in him that licked 'em. It was the best
part of their own selves, and the best part of their
own country, speaking out of him to them, that done
it. Mebby so. Anyhow, after a minute more of
that strain, a feller by the door picks up his gun out
of the corner with a scrape, and hists it to his
shoulder and walks out. And then Colonel Tom
says to Will, with his eyebrow going up, and that
one-sided grin coming onto his face agin:
"Will, perhaps a motion to adjourn would be in
order?"
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The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from The Devil's Dictionary by Ambrose Bierce: believed to be identical with the _crux ansata_ of the ancient phallic
worship, but it has been traced even beyond all that we know of that,
to the rites of primitive peoples. We have to-day the White Cross as
a symbol of chastity, and the Red Cross as a badge of benevolent
neutrality in war. Having in mind the former, the reverend Father
Gassalasca Jape smites the lyre to the effect following:
"Be good, be good!" the sisterhood
Cry out in holy chorus,
And, to dissuade from sin, parade
Their various charms before us.
But why, O why, has ne'er an eye
The Devil's Dictionary |
| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from When the World Shook by H. Rider Haggard: street to the temple enclosure. Through the pillared courts I
went, my footsteps, although I walked as softly as I could,
echoing loudly in that intense silence, through the great doors
into the utter solitude of the vast and perfect fane.
Words can not tell the loneliness of that place. It flowed over
me like a sea and seemed to swallow up my being, so that even the
wildest and most dangerous beast would have been welcome as a
companion. I was as terrified as a child that wakes to find
itself deserted in the dark. Also an uncanny sense of terrors to
come oppressed me, till I could have cried aloud if only to hear
the sound of a mortal voice. Yonder was the grim statue of Fate,
When the World Shook |
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 Pocket Diary Found in the Snow by Grace Isabel Colbron and Augusta Groner: it in his pocket.
"You will come again? soon? And remember, I will give ten thousand
guldens to the man who saves Asta, or avenges her. Tell the police
to spare no expense - I will go to headquarters myself to-morrow."
Fellner was a little surprised that Muller, although he had already
taken up his hat, did not go. The sick man had seen the light flash
up in the eyes of the other as he named the sum. He thought he
understood this excitement, but it touched him unpleasantly and he
sank back, almost frightened, in his cushions as the detective bent
over him with the words "Good. Do not forget your promise, for I
will save Miss Langen or avenge her. But I do not want the money
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