| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from A Sentimental Journey by Laurence Sterne: not have suspended the effects of the DROITS D'AUBAINE; - my
shirts, and black pair of silk breeches, - portmanteau and all,
must have gone to the King of France; - even the little picture
which I have so long worn, and so often have told thee, Eliza, I
would carry with me into my grave, would have been torn from my
neck! - Ungenerous! to seize upon the wreck of an unwary passenger,
whom your subjects had beckoned to their coast! - By heaven! Sire,
it is not well done; and much does it grieve me, 'tis the monarch
of a people so civilized and courteous, and so renowned for
sentiment and fine feelings, that I have to reason with! -
But I have scarce set a foot in your dominions. -
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The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Silas Marner by George Eliot: human trivialities, but thankful to share in them, if possible, by
getting his nose scratched; and Eppie did not fail to gratify him
with her usual notice, though it was attended with the inconvenience
of his following them, painfully, up to the very door of their home.
But the sound of a sharp bark inside, as Eppie put the key in the
door, modified the donkey's views, and he limped away again without
bidding. The sharp bark was the sign of an excited welcome that was
awaiting them from a knowing brown terrier, who, after dancing at
their legs in a hysterical manner, rushed with a worrying noise at a
tortoise-shell kitten under the loom, and then rushed back with a
sharp bark again, as much as to say, "I have done my duty by this
Silas Marner |
| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from The Man against the Sky by Edwin Arlington Robinson: Courage, then your courage hides
A deal of cant.
Learn a little to forget
Life was once a feast;
You aren't fit for dying yet,
So don't be a beast.
Few men with a mind will say,
Thinking twice, that they can pay
Half their debts of yesterday,
Or be released.
There's a debt now on your mind
|
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 Shadow Line by Joseph Conrad: "God only knows, Captain Giles," was my sin-
cere answer.
"That's all right," he said calmly. "You will
learn soon how not to be faint-hearted. A man has
got to learn everything--and that's what so many
of them youngsters don't understand."
"Well, I am no longer a youngster."
"No," he conceded. "Are you leaving soon?"
"I am going on board directly," I said. "I shall
pick up one of my anchors and heave in to half-
cable on the other directly my new crew comes on
The Shadow Line |
