| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Within the Tides by Joseph Conrad: conversation.
"And so you were dining yesterday at old Dunster's."
He used the word old not in the endearing sense in which it is
sometimes applied to intimates, but as a matter of sober fact. The
Dunster in question was old. He had been an eminent colonial
statesman, but had now retired from active politics after a tour in
Europe and a lengthy stay in England, during which he had had a
very good press indeed. The colony was proud of him.
"Yes. I dined there," said Renouard. "Young Dunster asked me just
as I was going out of his office. It seemed to be like a sudden
thought. And yet I can't help suspecting some purpose behind it.
Within the Tides |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Hiero by Xenophon: goers.
[17] Or, "curb the over-proud in sap and blood."
Further than that, the man who is a tyrant must have mercenaries, and
of all the burdens which the citizens are called upon to bear there is
none more onerous than this, since nothing will induce them to believe
these people are supported by the tyrant to add to his and their
prestige,[18] but rather for the sake of his own selfishness and
greed.
[18] Reading with Breit. {eis timas}, or if the vulg. {isotimous},
transl. "as equal merely to themselves in privilege"; or if with
Schenkl (and Holden, ed. 3) {isotimias}, transl. "their firm
|
