| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from The Master of Ballantrae by Robert Louis Stevenson: from mirth, it sounded ominously on my ear.
"Henry," said he, "I have for once made a false step, and for once
you have had the wit to profit by it. The farce of the cobbler
ends to-day; and I confess to you (with my compliments) that you
have had the best of it. Blood will out; and you have certainly a
choice idea of how to make yourself unpleasant."
Never a word said my lord; it was just as though the Master had not
broken silence.
"Come," resumed the Master, "do not be sulky; it will spoil your
attitude. You can now afford (believe me) to be a little gracious;
for I have not merely a defeat to accept. I had meant to continue
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The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Paz by Honore de Balzac: afraid of it, he and I, though he was delighted at my marriage. You
will make him very happy if you tell him that you love him,--yes, as
an old friend."
"I'll go and dress, the day is so fine; and we will all three ride
together," said Clementine, ringing for her maid.
II
Paz was leading so subterranean a life that the fashionable world of
Paris asked who he was when the Comtesse Laginska was seen in the Bois
de Boulogne riding between her husband and a stranger. During the ride
Clementine insisted that Thaddeus should dine with them. This caprice
of the sovereign lady compelled Paz to make an evening toilet.
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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 Sons and Lovers by D. H. Lawrence: the fields. So he appeared at the pit-top, often with a stalk
from the hedge between his teeth, which he chewed all day to keep
his mouth moist, down the mine, feeling quite as happy as when he
was in the field.
Later, when the time for the baby grew nearer, he would
bustle round in his slovenly fashion, poking out the ashes,
rubbing the fireplace, sweeping the house before he went to work.
Then, feeling very self-righteous, he went upstairs.
"Now I'm cleaned up for thee: tha's no 'casions ter stir
a peg all day, but sit and read thy books."
Which made her laugh, in spite of her indignation.
Sons and Lovers |
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 Hiero by Xenophon: but still more on his guard than heretofore. That is the kind of war
with which the tyrant is beset from day to day continually, as I do
prove.[21]
[17] See Hold. (crit. app.); Hartman, op. cit. p. 260.
[18] Cf. "Mem." I. ii. 38.
[19] Cf. "Anab." II. vi. 11; "Hell." VI. iv. 16.
[20] "Not of malice prepense."
[21] Or, "Such then, as I describe it, is the type of war," etc.
III
Turn now and contemplate the sort of friendship whereof it is given to
tyrants to partake. And first, let us examine with ourselves and see
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