| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Egmont by Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe: alike to courage and to stratagem. I feel that I too, like thyself, like all the
rest, am fettered. Think'st thou that I should give way to lamentation if any
means of safety remained untried? I have thrown myself at his feet,
remonstrated, implored. He has sent me hither, in order to blast in this
fatal moment, every remnant of joy and happiness that yet survived within
my heart.
Egmont. And is there no deliverance?
Ferdinand. None!
Egmont (stamping his foot). No deliverance!-Sweet life! Sweet, pleasant
habitude of existence and of activity! from thee must I part! So calmly
part! Not in the tumult
Egmont |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from The Two Noble Kinsmen by William Shakespeare: Of one yong Palamon?
IAILOR.
Yes, wench, we know him.
DAUGHTER.
Is't not a fine yong Gentleman?
IAILOR.
Tis Love.
BROTHER.
By no meane crosse her; she is then distemperd
Far worse then now she showes.
1. FRIEND.
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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 Mother by Owen Wister: I said, 'I should have remained unaware of her existence.'"
"'She is at the bottom of it all the same,' said Ethel. 'Everything you
have bought has been because she bought it.'"
"'That is not quite the right way to put it,' I replied. 'I was willing
to buy these securities because Mr. Beverly thought so highly of them
that he felt justified in--'"
"'There is no use,' interrupted Ethel, 'in our going round this circle as
if we were a pair of squirrels. I do not ask you to hate that woman for
my sake, but I cannot change my own feeling. Do you remember, Richard,
about the City of Philippi Sewer Bonds? You did not want to buy them at
first. You told me yourself that you thought new towns in Texas were apt
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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 Breaking Point by Mary Roberts Rinehart: But there isn't anything to hold out. Jud Clark's dead. That's all."
"Sure he's dead," Bassett agreed, amiably. "You found his horse,
didn't you?"
"Yes. Dead. And when you find a man's horse dead in the mountains
in a blizzard, you don't need any more evidence. It was five months
before you could see a trail up the Goat that winter."
Bassett nodded, rose and poured out another drink.
"I suppose," he observed casually, "that even if Clark turned up
now, it would be hard to convict him, wouldn't it?"
The 8herlff considered that, holding up his glass.
"Well, yes and no," he said. "It was circumstantial evidence,
The Breaking Point |
