| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Glasses by Henry James: when at the end of three months I asked him what was the use of
talking with such a fellow his nearest approach to a justification
was to say that what made him want to help her was just the
deficiencies I dwelt on. I could only reply without gross
developments: "Oh if you're as sorry for her as that!" I too was
nearly as sorry for her as that, but it only led me to be sorrier
still for other victims of this compassion. With Dawling as with
me the compassion was at first in excess of any visible motive; so
that when eventually the motive was supplied each could to a
certain extent compliment the other on the fineness of his
foresight.
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The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Dark Lady of the Sonnets by George Bernard Shaw: that might have happened to any milkmaid, the caprice of Nature that
made you the most wondrous piece of beauty the age hath seen.
_[Elizabeth's raised fists, on the point of striking him, fall to her
side]._ That is what hath brought all men to your feet, and founded
your throne on the impregnable rock of your proud heart, a stony
island in a sea of desire. There, madam, is some wholesome blunt
honest speaking for you. Now do your worst.
ELIZABETH. _[with dignity]_ Master Shakespear: it is well for you
that I am a merciful prince. I make allowance for your rustic
ignorance. But remember that there are things which be true, and are
yet not seemly to be said (I will not say to a queen; for you will
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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 The Island of Doctor Moreau by H. G. Wells: of the house.
"Drink!" cried Montgomery, "drink, you brutes! Drink and be men!
Damme, I'm the cleverest. Moreau forgot this; this is the last touch.
Drink, I tell you!" And waving the bottle in his hand he started
off at a kind of quick trot to the westward, M'ling ranging himself
between him and the three dim creatures who followed.
I went to the doorway. They were already indistinct in the mist
of the moonlight before Montgomery halted. I saw him administer
a dose of the raw brandy to M'ling, and saw the five figures melt
into one vague patch.
"Sing!" I heard Montgomery shout,--"sing all together, `Confound
The Island of Doctor Moreau |
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 Child of Storm by H. Rider Haggard: silent; I do not need your help. No, not of a son; of a daughter,
then." He turned and, looked about him till his eye fell upon a group of
women, amongst whom sat Nandie, dressed like a common person." Of a
daughter, a daughter--" He walked to the group of women. "Why, none of
these are royal; they are the children of low people. And yet--and yet
I seem to smell the blood of Senzangakona."
He sniffed at the air as a dog does, and as he sniffed drew ever nearer
to Nandie, till at last he laughed and pointed to her.
"_Your_ child, Princess, whose name I do not know. Your firstborn
child, whom you loved more than your own heart."
She rose.
Child of Storm |
