| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from The Hidden Masterpiece by Honore de Balzac: and arid places, where for such there is neither pleasure nor
instruction; while to the artistic soul itself,--that white-winged
angel of sportive fancy,--epics, works of art, and visions rise along
the way. It is a nature, an essence, mocking yet kind, fruitful though
destitute. Thus, for the enthusiastic Poussin, the old man became by
sudden transfiguration Art itself,--art with all its secrets, its
transports, and its dreams.
"Yes, my dear Porbus," said Frenhofer, speaking half in reverie, "I
have never yet beheld a perfect woman; a body whose outlines were
faultless and whose flesh-tints--Ah! where lives she?" he cried,
interrupting his own words; "where lives the lost Venus of the
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The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from The Damnation of Theron Ware by Harold Frederic: view is to the Protestant."
"The difference does seem extremely curious to me,"
said Theron. "Now, those people in the hall--"
"Go on," put in the doctor, as the other faltered hesitatingly.
"I know what you were going to say. It struck you
as odd that he should let them wait on the bench there,
while he came up here to smoke."
Theron smiled faintly. "I WAS thinking that my--
my parishioners wouldn't have taken it so quietly.
But of course--it is all so different!"
"As chalk from cheese!" said Dr. Ledsmar, lighting a
The Damnation of Theron Ware |
| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from A Sentimental Journey by Laurence Sterne: ground for it.
- Here! said I to an old soldier with one hand, who had been
campaigned and worn out to death in the service - here's a couple
of sous for thee. - VIVE LE ROI! said the old soldier.
I had then but three sous left: so I gave one, simply, POUR L'AMOUR
DE DIEU, which was the footing on which it was begg'd. - The poor
woman had a dislocated hip; so it could not be well upon any other
motive.
MON CHER ET TRES-CHARITABLE MONSIEUR. - There's no opposing this,
said I.
MILORD ANGLOIS - the very sound was worth the money; - so I gave MY
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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 Kenilworth by Walter Scott: might have been the very emblem of the Wife of Bath; "and my
gossip Laneham thinks as little of these matters as any one. By
the ninth day, an the revels last so long, we shall have her with
us at Kenilworth, even if she should travel with her bantling on
her back."
There was something in this speech which took away all desire on
the Countess of Leicester's part to continue the conversation.
But having broken the charm by speaking to her fellow-traveller
first, the good dame, who was to play Rare Gillian of Croydon in
one of the interludes, took care that silence did not again
settle on the journey, but entertained her mute companion with a
Kenilworth |
