| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Montezuma's Daughter by H. Rider Haggard: come back to me from the dead, or is this but a vision?' and slowly
and doubtingly the dream wraith stretched out her arms as though to
clasp me.
Then I awoke. I awoke and lo! before me stood a fair woman clothed
in white, on whom the moonlight shone as in my dream, and her arms
were stretched towards me lovingly.
'It is I, beloved, and no vision,' I cried, springing from my bed
and clasping her to my breast to kiss her. But before my lips
touched hers I saw my error, for she whom I embraced was not Lily
Bozard, my betrothed, but Otomie, princess of the Otomie, who was
called my wife. Then I knew that this was the saddest and the most
Montezuma's Daughter |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from The Hidden Masterpiece by Honore de Balzac: "Oh! oh!" exclaimed the old man, "what is your name?"
The youth signed the drawing: Nicolas Poussin.
"Not bad for a beginner," said the strange being who had discoursed so
wildly. "I see that it is worth while to talk art before you. I don't
blame you for admiring Porbus's saint. It is a masterpiece for the
world at large; only those who are behind the veil of the holy of
holies can perceive its errors. But you are worthy of a lesson, and
capable of understanding it. I will show you how little is needed to
turn that picture into a true masterpiece. Give all your eyes and all
your attention; such a chance of instruction may never fall in your
way again. Your palette, Porbus."
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