| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from St. Ives by Robert Louis Stevenson: me? I say he's a French prisoner, and he answers that he can box!
What has that to do with it? I would not wonder but what he can
dance, too - they're all dancing masters over there. I say, and I
stick to it, that he's a Frenchy. He says he isn't. Well then,
let him out with his papers, if he has them! If he had, would he
not show them? If he had, would he not jump at the idea of going
to Squire Merton, a man you all know? Now, you are all plain,
straightforward Bedfordshire men, and I wouldn't ask a better lot
to appeal to. You're not the kind to be talked over with any
French gammon, and he's plenty of that. But let me tell him, he
can take his pigs to another market; they'll never do here; they'll
|
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Scenes from a Courtesan's Life by Honore de Balzac: "My boy, there is no such thing to be found in Paris. Such a
complexion is not made in France."
"I assure you, I am still quite amazed. Venus Callipyge has not such a
figure. A man would lose his soul for her. But where did she spring
from?"
"She was the handsomest girl in London. Drunk with gin, she killed her
lover in a fit of jealousy. The lover was a wretch of whom the London
police are well quit, and this woman was packed off to Paris for a
time to let the matter blow over. The hussy was well brought up--the
daughter of a clergyman. She speaks French as if it were her mother
tongue. She does not know, and never will know, why she is here. She
|
| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from The Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass: An American Slave by Frederick Douglass: to New Bedford. We were encouraged to do this by
two excellent gentlemen, residents of New Bedford,
whose names I afterward ascertained to be Joseph
Ricketson and William C. Taber. They seemed at
once to understand our circumstances, and gave us
such assurance of their friendliness as put us fully
at ease in their presence. It was good indeed to meet
with such friends, at such a time. Upon reaching
New Bedford, we were directed to the house of Mr.
Nathan Johnson, by whom we were kindly received,
and hospitably provided for. Both Mr. and Mrs.
The Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass: An American Slave |
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 Rig Veda:
HYMN XXV. Indra.
1. WITH thine assistance, O thou Mighty Indra, be it the least,
the
midmost, or the highest,-
Great with those aids and by these powers support us, Strong
God! in
battle that subdues our foemen.
2 With these discomfit hosts that fight against us, and check
The Rig Veda |
