| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from The Marriage Contract by Honore de Balzac: mother were overcome with sleep, they said a few words to each other
as soon as they were alone.
"Tell me, mother dear, what was the matter with you?"
"My darling, I learned this evening to what lengths a mother's
tenderness can go. You know nothing of business, and you are ignorant
of the suspicions to which my integrity has been exposed. I have
trampled my pride under foot, for your happiness and my reputation
were at stake."
"Are you talking of the diamonds? Poor boy, he wept; he did not want
them; I have them."
"Sleep now, my child. We will talk business when we wake--for," she
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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 Merry Adventures of Robin Hood by Howard Pyle: Now there was present at court a certain knight, Sir William Dale,
as gallant a soldier as ever donned harness. Sir William Dale
was well acquainted with Sherwood Forest, for he was head keeper
over that part of it that lay nigh to good Mansfield Town; so to him
the King turned, and bade him take an army of men and go straightway
to seek Robin Hood. Likewise the King gave Sir William his signet ring
to show to the Sheriff, that he might raise all his armed men to aid
the others in their chase of Robin. So Sir William and the Sheriff
set forth to do the King's bidding and to search for Robin Hood;
and for seven days they hunted up and down, yet found him not.
Now, had Robin Hood been as peaceful as of old, everything might have ended
The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood |
