| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Georgics by Virgil: Close-pent in byres, nor any grass is seen
Upon the plain, nor leaves upon the tree:
But with snow-ridges and deep frost afar
Heaped seven ells high the earth lies featureless:
Still winter? still the north wind's icy breath!
Nay, never sun disparts the shadows pale,
Or as he rides the steep of heaven, or dips
In ocean's fiery bath his plunging car.
Quick ice-crusts curdle on the running stream,
And iron-hooped wheels the water's back now bears,
To broad wains opened, as erewhile to ships;
Georgics |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Dracula by Bram Stoker: Poor girl, she has so much to forget that it is no wonder that sleep,
if it brings oblivion to her, does her good.
Later.--Our opinion was justified, for when after a refreshing sleep
of some hours she woke up, she seemed brighter and better than she
had been for days. At sunset she made the usual hypnotic report.
Wherever he may be in the Black Sea, the Count is hurrying to
his destination. To his doom, I trust!
26 October.--Another day and no tidings of the Czarina Catherine.
She ought to be here by now. That she is still journeying somewhere
is apparent, for Mrs. Harker's hypnotic report at sunrise was still the same.
It is possible that the vessel may be lying by, at times, for fog.
Dracula |
