| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Under the Red Robe by Stanley Weyman: probably be well; but if I failed in this, or if the case came
before him in strange guise, or if he were in a hard mood
himself, then it might go ill with me. The edict said, death!
And the lieutenant at the Chatelet did not put himself to much
trouble to hearten me. 'What! again M. de Berault?' he said,
raising his eyebrows as he received me at the gate, and
recognised me by the light of the brazier which his men were just
kindling outside. 'You are a very bold man, or a very foolhardy
one, to come here again. The old business, I suppose?'
'Yes, but he is not dead,' I answered coolly. 'He has a trifle
--a mere scratch. It was behind the church of St Jacques.'
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The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Caesar's Commentaries in Latin by Julius Caesar: cratibusque consternebantur; ac nihilo setius sublicae et ad inferiorem
partem fluminis oblique agebantur, quae pro ariete subiectae et cum omni
opere coniunctae vim fluminis exciperent, et aliae item supra pontem
mediocri spatio, ut, si arborum trunci sive naves deiciendi operis causa
essent a barbaris missae, his defensoribus earum rerum vis minueretur neu
ponti nocerent.
Diebus X, quibus materia coepta erat comportari, omni opere effecto
exercitus traducitur. Caesar ad utramque partem pontis firmo praesidio
relicto in fines Sugambrorum contendit. Interim a compluribus civitatibus
ad eum legati veniunt; quibus pacem atque amicitiam petentibus liberaliter
respondet obsidesque ad se adduci iubet. At Sugambri, ex eo tempore quo
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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 Summer by Edith Wharton: of the night and day had left no room in her mind for
new sensations and she followed Mr. Royall as passively
as a tired child. As in a confused dream she presently
found herself sitting with him in a pleasant room, at a
table with a red and white table-cloth on which
hot food and tea were placed. He filled her cup and
plate and whenever she lifted her eyes from them she
found his resting on her with the same steady tranquil
gaze that had reassured and strengthened her when they
had faced each other in old Mrs. Hobart's kitchen. As
everything else in her consciousness grew more and more
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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 Oedipus Trilogy by Sophocles: 'Tis strange, this endless tarrying, passing strange.
But when he comes, then I were base indeed,
If I perform not all the god declares.
PRIEST
Thy words are well timed; even as thou speakest
That shouting tells me Creon is at hand.
OEDIPUS
O King Apollo! may his joyous looks
Be presage of the joyous news he brings!
PRIEST
As I surmise, 'tis welcome; else his head
Oedipus Trilogy |
