| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Kidnapped by Robert Louis Stevenson: I told him I would do as he wished, though indeed I had scarce
breath to speak with; and upon that he gave me the key of the
spirit locker, and I began to go slowly back to the round-house.
What was I to do? They were dogs and thieves; they had stolen me
from my own country; they had killed poor Ransome; and was I to
hold the candle to another murder? But then, upon the other hand,
there was the fear of death very plain before me; for what could
a boy and a man, if they were as brave as lions, against a whole
ship's company?
I was still arguing it back and forth, and getting no great
clearness, when I came into the round-house and saw the Jacobite
Kidnapped |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from A Princess of Parms by Edgar Rice Burroughs: emotion; only he did not laugh as Tal Hajus gleefully
described her death struggles. From that moment on he was
the cruelest of the cruel, and I am awaiting the day when
he shall win the goal of his ambition, and feel the carcass of
Tal Hajus beneath his foot, for I am as sure that he but
waits the opportunity to wreak a terrible vengeance, and that
his great love is as strong in his breast as when it first
transfigured him nearly forty years ago, as I am that we sit
here upon the edge of a world-old ocean while sensible people
sleep, John Carter."
"And your father, Sola, is he with us now?" I asked.
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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 A Prince of Bohemia by Honore de Balzac: "On the stairs she spoke to her persecutor.
" 'Monsieur, I am about to call upon one of my husband's relatives, an
elderly lady, Mme. de Bonfalot--'
" 'Ah! Mme. de Bonfalot, charmed, I am sure. I am going there.'
"The pair accordingly went. Charles Edward came in with the lady,
every one believed that she had brought him with her. He took part in
the conversation, was lavish of his polished and brilliant wit. The
visit lengthened out. That was not what he wanted.
" 'Madame,' he said, addressing the fair stranger, 'do not forget that
your husband is waiting for us, and only allowed us a quarter of an
hour.'
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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 Les Miserables by Victor Hugo: "Finish both of us at one blow," said he.
And turning gently to Enjolras, he said to him:
"Do you permit it?"
Enjolras pressed his hand with a smile.
This smile was not ended when the report resounded.
Enjolras, pierced by eight bullets, remained leaning against the wall,
as though the balls had nailed him there. Only, his head was bowed.
Grantaire fell at his feet, as though struck by a thunderbolt.
A few moments later, the soldiers dislodged the last remaining insurgents,
who had taken refuge at the top of the house. They fired into the
attic through a wooden lattice. They fought under the very roof.
Les Miserables |
