| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from The Complete Angler by Izaak Walton: several colours when they were dying. But enough of this; for I doubt I
have staid too long from giving you some Observations of the Trout,
and how to fish for him, which shall take up the next of my spare time.
The third day - continued
On the Nature and Breeding of the Trout,
and how to fish for him
Chapter IV
Piscator, Venator, Milk-woman, Maudlin,
Hostess
Piscator. The Trout is a fish highly valued, both in this and foreign
nations. He may be justly said, as the old poet said of wine, and we
|
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from The Symposium by Xenophon: "Acharn." 723; Lys. 165, 34.
Then Callias: O Socrates, do please invite me when you begin your
dancing lessons. I will be your vis-a-vis,[43] and take lessons with
you.
[43] Cf. "Anab." V. iv. 12.
Come on (the jester shouted), give us a tune upon the pipe, and let me
show you how to dance.
So saying up he got, and mimicked the dances of the boy and girl in
burlesque fashion, and inasmuch as the spectators had been pleased to
think the natural beauty of the boy enhanced by every gesture of his
body in the dance, so the jester must give a counter-
The Symposium |
| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from The Breaking Point by Mary Roberts Rinehart: of Nina's house, and Mrs. Sayre, in brilliant pink and a purple hat,
got out. Leslie, lounging in a window, made the announcement.
"Here's the Queen of Sheba," he said. "I'll go upstairs and have a
headache, if you don't mind."
He kissed Nina and departed hastily. He was feeling extremely
gentle toward Nina those days and rather smugly virtuous. He
considered that his conscience had brought him back and not a very
bad fright, which was the fact, and he fairly exuded righteousness.
It was the great lady's first call, and Nina was considerably
uplifted. It was for such moments as this one trained servants
and put Irish lace on their aprons, and had decorators who stood
The Breaking Point |
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 Mayflower Compact: Generall Good of the Colonie; unto which we promise
all due Submission and Obedience.
In Witness whereof we have hereunto subscribed our names
at Cape Cod the eleventh of November, in the Raigne of our
Sovereigne Lord, King James of England, France, and Ireland,
the eighteenth, and of Scotland, the fiftie-fourth,
Anno. Domini, 1620.
Mr. John Carver Mr. Stephen Hopkins
Mr. William Bradford Digery Priest
Mr. Edward Winslow Thomas Williams
Mr. William Brewster Gilbert Winslow
|
