| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Maid Marian by Thomas Love Peacock: and without giving him time to deliberate on the courtesy of fighting
with the lady of his love, she raised her sword in the air, and lowered
it on his head with an impetus that would have gone nigh to fathom
even that extraordinary depth of brain which always by divine grace
furnishes the interior of a head-royal, if he had not very dexterously
parried the blow. Prince John wished to disarm and take captive,
not in any way to wound or injure, least of all to kill, his fair opponent.
Matilda was only intent to get rid of her antagonist at any rate:
the edge of her weapon painted his complexion with streaks of very
unloverlike crimson, and she would probably have marred John's hand
for ever signing Magna Charta, but that he was backed by the advantage
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The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Hellenica by Xenophon: myself; with me you will be better able to discover the true value of
what has taken place." And he was as good as his word. Next day he
sacrificed, and led his army up to the gates of Corinth. The trophy he
respected, but not one tree did he leave standing--chopping and
burning, as proof positive that no one dared to face him in the field.
And having so done, he encamped about Lechaeum; and as to the Theban
ambassadors, in lieu of letting them pass into the city, he sent them
off by sea across to Creusis.
But in proportion to the unwontedness of such a calamity befalling
Lacedaemonians, a widespread mourning fell upon the whole Laconian
army, those alone excepted whose sons or fathers or brothers had died
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