| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Melmoth Reconciled by Honore de Balzac: tree; because his desires could effect all things, so that it was
enough that any spot in earth or heaven should be forbidden him, and
he forthwith thought of nothing else. If it were allowable to compare
such great things with social follies, Castanier's position was not
unlike that of a banker who, finding that his all-powerful millions
cannot obtain for him an entrance into the society of the noblesse,
must set his heart upon entering that circle, and all the social
privileges that he has already acquired are as nothing in his eyes
from the moment when he discovers that a single one is lacking.
Here is a man more powerful than all the kings on earth put together;
a man who, like Satan, could wrestle with God Himself; leaning against
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The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Bucolics by Virgil: What dearer could I deem? the boy himself
Was worthy to be sung, and many a time
Hath Stimichon to me your singing praised.
MENALCAS
"In dazzling sheen with unaccustomed eyes
Daphnis stands rapt before Olympus' gate,
And sees beneath his feet the clouds and stars.
Wherefore the woods and fields, Pan, shepherd-folk,
And Dryad-maidens, thrill with eager joy;
Nor wolf with treacherous wile assails the flock,
Nor nets the stag: kind Daphnis loveth peace.
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