| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Phaedrus by Plato: god they attribute to the beloved, wherefore they love him all the more,
and if, like the Bacchic Nymphs, they draw inspiration from Zeus, they pour
out their own fountain upon him, wanting to make him as like as possible to
their own god. But those who are the followers of Here seek a royal love,
and when they have found him they do just the same with him; and in like
manner the followers of Apollo, and of every other god walking in the ways
of their god, seek a love who is to be made like him whom they serve, and
when they have found him, they themselves imitate their god, and persuade
their love to do the same, and educate him into the manner and nature of
the god as far as they each can; for no feelings of envy or jealousy are
entertained by them towards their beloved, but they do their utmost to
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The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Frances Waldeaux by Rebecca Davis: even in old age? It is certain that this woman, after
her long harmless life, recognized the fury in her soul
and freed it.
"Frances," whispered Clara, "when this act is over, go
and speak to them. I will go with you. It is your
chance to put an end to this horrible separation. They
are your children."
"No. That woman is my enemy, Clara," said Mrs. Waldeaux
quietly. "I will make no terms with her."
Miss Vance sighed and turned to the stage, but Frances
still watched the opposite box. It seemed as if the
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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 Secret Adversary by Agatha Christie: little after half-past five. It was rapidly growing light. At
the next corner he passed a policeman. The policeman cast a
suspicious eye on him. Tommy felt slightly offended. Then,
passing his hand over his face, he laughed. He had not shaved or
washed for three days! What a guy he must look.
He betook himself without more ado to a Turkish Bath
establishment which he knew to be open all night. He emerged into
the busy daylight feeling himself once more, and able to make
plans.
First of all, he must have a square meal. He had eaten nothing
since midday yesterday. He turned into an A.B.C. shop and
Secret Adversary |
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 The Bride of Lammermoor by Walter Scott: powers of grasping it becoming every moment more feeble, and the
deep darkness of the night only checkered by the flashes of
lightning, hissing as they show the white tops of the billows, in
which he is soon to be engulfed.
Week crept away after week, and day after day. St. Jude's day
arrived, the last and protracted term to which Lucy had limited
herself, and there was neither letter nor news of
Ravenswood.
CHAPTER XXXII.
How fair these names, how much unlike they look
To all the blurr'd subscriptions in my book!
The Bride of Lammermoor |
