| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from King Henry VI by William Shakespeare: GLOSTER.
[Aside to Cardinal.] Faith, holy uncle, would 't
were come to that!
CARDINAL.
[Aside to Gloster.] Marry, when thou dar'st.
GLOSTER.
[Aside to Cardinal.] Make up no factious numbers
for the matter;
In thine own person answer thy abuse.
CARDINAL.
[Aside to Gloster.] Ay, where thou dar'st not peep;
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The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Almayer's Folly by Joseph Conrad: the trees were as invisible as their trunks, being lost in the
mass of clouds that hung low over the woods, the clearing, and
the river.
Every outline had disappeared in the intense blackness that
seemed to have destroyed everything but space. Only the fire
glimmered like a star forgotten in this annihilation of all
visible things, and nothing was heard after Dain ceased speaking
but the sobs of Nina, whom he held in his arms, kneeling beside
the fire. Almayer stood looking down at them in gloomy
thoughtfulness. As he was opening his lips to speak they were
startled by a cry of warning by the riverside, followed by the
Almayer's Folly |
| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from Laches by Plato: purpose, and will gladly assist you; and I believe that you, Laches, will
be equally glad.
LACHES: Certainly, Nicias; and I quite approve of the remark which
Lysimachus made about his own father and the father of Melesias, and which
is applicable, not only to them, but to us, and to every one who is
occupied with public affairs. As he says, such persons are too apt to be
negligent and careless of their own children and their private concerns.
There is much truth in that remark of yours, Lysimachus. But why, instead
of consulting us, do you not consult our friend Socrates about the
education of the youths? He is of the same deme with you, and is always
passing his time in places where the youth have any noble study or pursuit,
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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 Rewards and Fairies by Rudyard Kipling: 'No call to be sorry. You've been misled. I met Frankie at Rye
Port when my Uncle, that was the shipbuilder there, pushed me
off his wharf-edge on to Frankie's ship. Frankie had put in from
Chatham with his rudder splutted, and a man's arm - Moon's that
'ud be - broken at the tiller. "Take this boy aboard an' drown
him," says my Uncle, "and I'll mend your rudder-piece for love."
'What did your Uncle want you drowned for?'said Una.
'That was only his fashion of say-so, same as Mus' Robin. I'd a
foolishness in my head that ships could be builded out of iron. Yes
- iron ships! I'd made me a liddle toy one of iron plates beat out
thin - and she floated a wonder! But my Uncle, bein' a burgess of
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