| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Barlaam and Ioasaph by St. John of Damascus: and stronger than the natural.
So he stood before the door of the cave, and knocked, saying
"Benedic, father, benedic!" When Barlaam heard his voice, he
came forth from the cave, and by the spirit knew him, who by
outward appearance could not easily be known, because of the
marvellous change and alteration that had changed and altered his
face from its former bloom of youth; for Ioasaph was black with
the sun's heat, and overgrown with hair, and his cheeks were
fallen in, and his eyes deep sunken, and his eyelids seared with
floods of tears, and much distress of hunger. And Ioasaph
recognised his spiritual father, for his features were, for the
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The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from The Black Tulip by Alexandre Dumas: "I beg your pardon, and thank you, sir; the first for what I
have thought, and the second for what you are doing."
Cornelius blushed, and said, "I am but doing my duty as a
Christian in helping my neighbour."
"Yes, and affording him your help this evening, you have
forgotten the abuse which he heaped on you this morning. Oh,
sir! this is more than humanity, -- this is indeed Christian
charity."
Cornelius cast his eyes on the beautiful girl, quite
astonished to hear from the mouth of one so humble such a
noble and feeling speech.
The Black Tulip |
| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from Othello by William Shakespeare: To hang clogges on them. I haue done my Lord
Duke. Let me speake like your selfe:
And lay a Sentence,
Which as a grise, or step may helpe these Louers.
When remedies are past, the griefes are ended
By seeing the worst, which late on hopes depended.
To mourne a Mischeefe that is past and gon,
Is the next way to draw new mischiefe on.
What cannot be preseru'd, when Fortune takes:
Patience, her Iniury a mock'ry makes.
The rob'd that smiles, steales something from the Thiefe,
Othello |
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 Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare: with her siluer sound.
Why siluer sound? why Musicke with her siluer sound?
what say you Simon Catling?
Mu. Mary sir, because siluer hath a sweet sound
Pet. Pratest, what say you Hugh Rebicke?
2.M. I say siluer sound, because Musitions sound for siluer
Pet. Pratest to, what say you Iames Sound-Post?
3.Mu. Faith I know not what to say
Pet. O I cry you mercy, you are the Singer.
I will say for you; it is Musicke with her siluer sound,
Because Musitions haue no gold for sounding:
Romeo and Juliet |
