| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from The Black Tulip by Alexandre Dumas: "Ah, yes, but here comes to you an aide-de-camp of his
Highness, even one of his most intimate companions Van
Deken. Zounds! they did not grant such an honour to poor
Mathias."
"Come, come!" said Cornelius, drawing a long breath. "Come,
I'll show to these people that an honest burgher, godson of
Cornelius de Witt, can without flinching receive as many
musket-balls as that Mathias."
Saying this, he passed proudly before the clerk, who, being
interrupted in his work, ventured to say to the officer, --
"But, Captain van Deken, the protocol is not yet finished."
 The Black Tulip |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from The Gift of the Magi by O. Henry: and receive gifts, such as they are wisest. Everywhere they
are wisest. They are the magi.
End of this Project Gutenberg Etext of THE GIFT OF THE MAGI.
 The Gift of the Magi |