| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Heroes by Charles Kingsley: as you are to me, so will I be to you. Yet why did you drive
my father out?'
Pelias smiled, and sighed. 'Men have slandered me in that,
as in all things. Your father was growing old and weary, and
he gave the kingdom up to me of his own will. You shall see
him to-morrow, and ask him; and he will tell you the same.'
Jason's heart leapt in him when he heard that he was to see
his father; and he believed all that Pelias said, forgetting
that his father might not dare to tell the truth.
'One thing more there is,' said Pelias, 'on which I need your
advice; for, though you are young, I see in you a wisdom
|
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from The Mad King by Edgar Rice Burroughs: upon their ears, and the Princess Emma, turning in her seat,
could easily see the four who followed. At last the car be-
gan to draw away--the distance between it and the riders
grew gradually greater.
"I believe we are going to make it," whispered the girl,
her voice tense with excitement. "If you could only go a
little faster, Mr. Custer, I'm sure that we will."
"She's reached her limit in this sand," replied the man,
"and there's a grade just ahead--we may find better going
beyond, but they're bound to gain on us before we reach
the top."
The Mad King |
| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from Inaugural Address by John F. Kennedy: To those new states whom we welcome to the ranks of the free:
we pledge our word that one form of colonial control shall not
have passed away merely to be replaced by a far more iron tyranny.
We shall not always expect to find them supporting our view.
But we shall always hope to find them strongly supporting their
own freedom. . .and to remember that. . .in the past. . .those who
foolishly sought power by riding the back of the tiger ended up inside.
To those people in the huts and villages of half the globe
struggling to break the bonds of mass misery: we pledge our best
efforts to help them help themselves, for whatever period
is required. . .not because the Communists may be doing it,
|
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 Prufrock/Other Observations by T. S. Eliot: It is impossible to say just what I mean I
But as if a magic lantern threw the nerves in patterns on a screen:
Would it have been worth while
If one, settling a pillow or throwing off a shawl,
And turning toward the window, should say:
"That is not it at all,
That is not what I meant, at all."
* * * *
No I am not Prince Hamlet, nor was meant to be;
Am an attendant lord, one that will do
To swell a progress, start a scene or two,
Prufrock/Other Observations |
