| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Polity of Athenians and Lacedaemonians by Xenophon: rather than in an oligarchical state may be said to smooth his own
path towards iniquity. He knows that a bad man has a better chance of
slipping through the fingers of justice in a democratic than in an
oligarchical state.
[26] Or, "and which are good for nothing."
[27] Or,"its own friends and supporters."
[28] Reading {ontes} or (if {gnontes}), "who, recognising the nature
of the People, have no popular leaning." Gutschmidt conj. {enioi
egguoi ontes}, i.e. Pericles.
[29] On the principle that "the knee is nearer than the shin-bone,"
{gonu knemes}, or, as we say, "charity begins at home."
|
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from The Island of Doctor Moreau by H. G. Wells: It was a thick voice, with something in it--a kind of whistling overtone--
that struck me as peculiar; but the English accent was strangely good.
The Ape-man looked at me as though he expected something.
I perceived the pause was interrogative. "He comes to live with you,"
I said.
"It is a man. He must learn the Law."
I began to distinguish now a deeper blackness in the black,
a vague outline of a hunched-up figure. Then I noticed
the opening of the place was darkened by two more black heads.
My hand tightened on my stick.
The thing in the dark repeated in a louder tone, "Say the words."
The Island of Doctor Moreau |
