| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from The Sportsman by Xenophon: coats. The spirited, plucky hound will prove his mettle by refusing to
leave the chase, however stifling the weather; a good nose is shown by
his capacity for scenting the hare on barren and dry ground exposed to
the sun, and that when the orb is at the zenith;[21] soundness of foot
in the fact that the dog may course over mountains during the same
season, and yet his feet will not be torn to pieces; and a good coat
means the possession of light, thick, soft, and silky hair.[22]
[21] i.e. "at mid-day"; or, "in the height of summer"; al. "during the
dog-days"; "at the rising of the dog-star."
[22] See Pollux, ib. 59; Arrian, vi. 1.
As to the colour proper for a hound,[23] it should not be simply
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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 Koran: grieve.
Kind speech and pardon are better than almsgiving followed by
annoyance, and God is rich and clement.
O ye who believe! make not your almsgiving vain by taunts and
annoyance, like him who expends what he has for the sake of
appearances before men, and believes not in God and the last day;
for his likeness is as the likeness of a flint with soil upon it,
and a heavy shower falls on it and leaves it bare rock; they can do
nought with what they earn, for God guides not the misbelieving folk.
But the likeness of those who expend their wealth craving the
goodwill of God, and as an insurance for their souls, is as the
The Koran |
