| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Hellenica by Xenophon: enemy that for the rest of that day he was forced to retire under the
mountain ridges, and to hold aloof as if afraid to trample down the
corn-crops of a friendly people on the flat below.
[10] B.C. 368 (or 367).
[11] The Asopus.
Again another time[12] the Theban commander in Sicyon marched out
against Phlius, taking with him the garrison under his personal
command, with the Sicyonians and Pellenians (for at the date of the
incident these states followed in the wake of Thebes). Euphron was
there also with his mercenaries, about two thousand in number, to
share the fortunes of the field. The mass of the troops began their
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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 Princess by Alfred Tennyson: 'And Lady Psyche.' 'Which was prettiest,
Best-natured?' 'Lady Psyche.' 'Hers are we,'
One voice, we cried; and I sat down and wrote,
In such a hand as when a field of corn
Bows all its ears before the roaring East;
'Three ladies of the Northern empire pray
Your Highness would enroll them with your own,
As Lady Psyche's pupils.'
This I sealed:
The seal was Cupid bent above a scroll,
And o'er his head Uranian Venus hung,
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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 The Boys' Life of Abraham Lincoln by Helen Nicolay: can go with me, and remain with you, and be everywhere for good,
let us confidently hope that all will yet be well. To His care
commending you, as I hope in your prayers you will commend me, I
bid you an affectionate farewell."
The conductor gave the signal, the train rolled slowly out of the
station, and the journey to Washington was begun. It was a
remarkable progress. At almost every station, even the smallest,
crowds had gathered to catch a glimpse of the face of the
President-elect, or at least to see the flying train. At the
larger stopping-places these crowds swelled to thousands, and in
the great cities to almost unmanageable throngs. Everywhere there
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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 Damnation of Theron Ware by Harold Frederic: for years. He isn't a practising physician at all, you know.
He is a scientist; he makes experiments with lizards--
and things."
"Theron," the wife said, pausing lamp in hand on her way
to the bedroom, "do you be careful, now! For all you know
this doctor may be a loose man, or pretty near an infidel.
You've got to be mighty particular in such matters, you know,
or you'll have the trustees down on you like a 'thousand
of bricks.'"
"I will thank the trustees to mind their own business,"
said Theron, stiffly, and the subject dropped.
The Damnation of Theron Ware |
