| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from A Legend of Montrose by Walter Scott: of the Protestant faith, had a way of winning battles, taking
towns, over-running countries, and levying contributions, whilk
made his service irresistibly delectable to all true-bred
cavaliers who follow the noble profession of arms. Simple as I
ride here, my lord, I have myself commanded the whole stift of
Dunklespiel on the Lower Rhine, occupying the Palsgrave's palace,
consuming his choice wines with my comrades, calling in
contributions, requisitions, and caduacs, and not failing to lick
my fingers, as became a good cook. But truly all this glory
hastened to decay, after our great master had been shot with
three bullets on the field of Lutzen; wherefore, finding that
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The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Poems by Oscar Wilde: Held thy wan dust, and thou hast come again
Back to this common world so dull and vain,
For thou wert weary of the sunless day,
The heavy fields of scentless asphodel,
The loveless lips with which men kiss in Hell.
Poem: Portia
(To Ellen Terry)
I marvel not Bassanio was so bold
To peril all he had upon the lead,
Or that proud Aragon bent low his head
Or that Morocco's fiery heart grew cold:
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| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from Malbone: An Oldport Romance by Thomas Wentworth Higginson: the many who gossiped or mourned concerning Emilia, none knew
the tragic complication which her death alone could have
solved. The breaking of Hope's engagement to Philip was
attributed to every cause but the true one. And when the storm
of the great Rebellion broke over the land, its vast calamity
absorbed all minor griefs.
XXIII.
REQUIESCAT.
THANK God! it is not within the power of one man's errors to
blight the promise of a life like that of Hope. It is but a
feeble destiny that is wrecked by passion, when it should be
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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 Mad King by Edgar Rice Burroughs: lieutenant who stood near-by. "You may remove the pris-
oner," he directed. "He will be destroyed with the others--
here is the order," and he handed the subaltern a printed
form upon which many names were filled in and at the bot-
tom of which the general had just signed his own. It had
evidently been waiting the outcome of the examination of
Stefan Drontoff.
Surrounded by soldiers, Barney Custer walked from the
presence of the military court. It was to him as though he
moved in a strange world of dreams. He saw the look of
satisfaction upon the face of Peter of Blentz as he passed
The Mad King |
