| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Phaedrus by Plato: the infection of blindness from another; the lover is his mirror in whom he
is beholding himself, but he is not aware of this. When he is with the
lover, both cease from their pain, but when he is away then he longs as he
is longed for, and has love's image, love for love (Anteros) lodging in his
breast, which he calls and believes to be not love but friendship only, and
his desire is as the desire of the other, but weaker; he wants to see him,
touch him, kiss him, embrace him, and probably not long afterwards his
desire is accomplished. When they meet, the wanton steed of the lover has
a word to say to the charioteer; he would like to have a little pleasure in
return for many pains, but the wanton steed of the beloved says not a word,
for he is bursting with passion which he understands not;--he throws his
|
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from The Red Seal by Natalie Sumner Lincoln: for himself, as Kent found another. "Let's thrash this thing out;
are you working with me or against me?"
"Why do you ask?" Kent's surprise at the question was evident.
"Because every time I arrange to examine this apartment or inquire
into Rochester's whereabouts you show up." Ferguson's small eyes
were trying to out-stare Kent, but the latter's clear gaze did not
drop before his. "Are you aiding Philip Rochester in his efforts
to elude arrest?"
"I am not," declared Kent emphatically. "What prompts the question?"
"The fact that you are Rochester's partner," Ferguson pointed out;
his manner was still stiff. "It would be only natural for you to
The Red Seal |
| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from Weir of Hermiston by Robert Louis Stevenson: Speir, to ask.
Speldering, sprawling.
Splairge, to splash.
Spunk, spirit, fire.
Steik, to shut.
Stockfish, hard, savourless.
Suger-bool, suger-plum.
Syne, since, then.
Tawpie, a slow foolish slut, also used playfully = monkey.
Telling you, a good thing for you.
Thir, these.
|
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 Where There's A Will by Mary Roberts Rinehart: sarcastically, "I'll see Mrs. Moody dead with the shock on the
bank."
"Not at all," he replied calmly. "You'll see her skating, too."
And with that he went to bed.
CHAPTER XXIV
LIKE DUCKS TO WATER
They took to it like ducks take to water. Not, of course, that
they didn't kick about making their own beds and having military
discipline generally. They complained a lot, but when after
three days went by with the railroad running as much on schedule
as it ever does, they were all still there, and Mr. Jennings had
|
