| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Ion by Plato: want a general?
ION: Why, Socrates, the reason is, that my countrymen, the Ephesians, are
the servants and soldiers of Athens, and do not need a general; and you and
Sparta are not likely to have me, for you think that you have enough
generals of your own.
SOCRATES: My good Ion, did you never hear of Apollodorus of Cyzicus?
ION: Who may he be?
SOCRATES: One who, though a foreigner, has often been chosen their general
by the Athenians: and there is Phanosthenes of Andros, and Heraclides of
Clazomenae, whom they have also appointed to the command of their armies
and to other offices, although aliens, after they had shown their merit.
|
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from To-morrow by Joseph Conrad: she had heard this formula of hope so often that it
only awakened the vaguest pity in her heart for
that hopeful old man.
Everything was put off in that way, and every-
thing was being prepared likewise for to-morrow.
There was a boxful of packets of various flower-
seeds to choose from, for the front garden. "He
will doubtless let you have your say about that, my
dear," Captain Hagberd intimated to her across
the railing.
Miss Bessie's head remained bowed over her
To-morrow |
| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from Michael Strogoff by Jules Verne: ground at a rattling pace."
Alcide said all this with such perfect good-humor that
Michael could not help smiling. "Gentlemen," said he,
"here is a better plan. We have now reached the highest
ridge of the Ural chain, and thus have merely to descend
the slopes of the mountain. My carriage is close by, only
two hundred yards behind. I will lend you one of my
horses, harness it to the remains of the telga, and to-mor-
how, if no accident befalls us, we will arrive together at
Ekaterenburg."
"That, Mr. Korpanoff," said Alcide, "is indeed a gen-
|
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 Bucolics by Virgil: Ye winds, I pray you, for the gods to hear."
MENALCAS
"It profiteth me naught, Amyntas mine,
That in your very heart you spurn me not,
If, while you hunt the boar, I guard the nets."
DAMOETAS
"Prithee, Iollas, for my birthday guest
Send me your Phyllis; when for the young crops
I slay my heifer, you yourself shall come."
MENALCAS
"I am all hers; she wept to see me go,
|
