The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Thuvia, Maid of Mars by Edgar Rice Burroughs: upon his sleeping silks and furs.
The Heliumite paused above him, one of the short-swords
in readiness should the warrior awaken. For what
seemed an eternity to the young prince the green man
continued to move uneasily upon his couch, then, as
though actuated by springs, he leaped to his feet and
faced the red man.
Instantly Carthoris struck, but not before a savage
grunt escaped the other's lips. In an instant the room
was in turmoil. Warriors leaped to their feet, grasping
their weapons as they rose, and shouting to one another
 Thuvia, Maid of Mars |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Tono Bungay by H. G. Wells: and particularly of the struggle to put on my trousers without
being able to see my legs. I was staggering about, and once I
had fallen over a chair and I had upset the jar of Michaelmas
daisies.
I must have been a detestable spectacle. "I'll go back to bed,"
said I, "if I may have a word with Miss Beatrice. I've got
something to say to her. That's why I'm dressing."
My point was conceded, but there were long delays. Whether the
household had my ultimatum or whether she told Beatrice directly
I do not know, and what Lady Osprey can have made of it in the
former case I don't imagine.
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