| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from The Apology by Xenophon: 476 D, {exomen ti paramutheisthai auton}; and "Hunting," i. 11.
The story of Palamedes is told by Ovid, "Met." xiii. 5.
[49] Cf. Plat. "Apol." 25 D, {poteron eme eisageis deuro os
diaphtheironta tous neous kai poneroterous poiounta ekonta e
akonta}.
Having so said he turned and went in a manner quite in conformity[50]
with the words which he had spoken--so bright an air was discernible
alike in the glance of his eye, his gesture, and his step.
[50] {omologoumenos}. For the use of the word L. Dind. cf. Diog.
Laert. vii. 87, {dioper protos o Zenon en to peri anthropou
phuseos telos eipe to omologoumenos te phusei zen} (Cicero's
The Apology |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from The United States Bill of Rights: to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor,
and to have the assistance of counsel for his defense.
VII
In suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed
twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved,
and no fact tried by a jury shall be otherwise re-examined in any court
of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law.
VIII
Excessive bail shall not be required nor excessive fines imposed,
nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.
IX
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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 The Passionate Pilgrim by William Shakespeare: Dreading my love, the loss thereof still fearing!
Yet in the midst of all her pure protestings,
Her faith, her oaths, her tears, and all were jestings.
She burn'd with love, as straw with fire flameth;
She burn'd out love, as soon as straw outburneth;
She framed the love, and yet she foil'd the framing;
She bade love last, and yet she fell a-turning.
Was this a lover, or a lecher whether?
Bad in the best, though excellent in neither.
VIII.
If music and sweet poetry agree,
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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 Gobseck by Honore de Balzac: fairly even if the counter-deed were lost, I resolved to go to see the
Count. I pleaded a business engagement, and we separated.
"I went straight to the Rue du Helder, and was shown into a room where
the Countess sat playing with her children. When she heard my name,
she sprang up and came to meet me, then she sat down and pointed
without a word to a chair by the fire. Her face wore the inscrutable
mask beneath which women of the world conceal their most vehement
emotions. Trouble had withered that face already. Nothing of its
beauty now remained, save the marvelous outlines in which its
principal charm had lain.
" 'It is essential, madame, that I should speak to M. le Comte----"
Gobseck |
