| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Prufrock/Other Observations by T. S. Eliot: With all the old nocturnal smells
That cross and cross across her brain.
The reminiscence comes
Of sunless dry geraniums
And dust in crevices,
Smells of chestnuts in the streets,
And female smells in shuttered rooms,
And cigarettes in corridors
And cocktail smells in bars."
The lamp said,
"Four o’clock,
Prufrock/Other Observations |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Scaramouche by Rafael Sabatini: village of Moreau. It was while she was there that you were born."
Andre-Louis turned it over in his mind. He had dried his tears.
And sat now rigid and collected.
"When you say that none was ever allowed to know, you are telling
me, of course, that you, monsieur... "
"Oh, mon Dieu, no!" The denial came in a violent outburst. M. de
Kercadiou sprang to his feet propelled from Andre's side by the
violence of his emotions. It was as if the very suggestion filled
him with horror. "I was the only other one who knew. But it is
not as you think, Andre. You cannot imagine that I should lie to
you, that I should deny you if you were my son?"
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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 An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge by Ambrose Bierce: an even, calm intonation, presaging, and enforcing
tranquility in the men -- with what accurately measured
interval fell those cruel words:
"Company! . . . Attention! . . . Shoulder arms! . . . Ready!
. . . Aim! . . . Fire!"
Fahrquhar dived -- dived as deeply as he could. The water
roared in his ears like the voice of Niagara, yet he heard
the dull thunder of the volley and, rising again toward the
surface, met shining bits of metal, singularly flattened,
oscillating slowly downward. Some of them touched him on the
face and hands, then fell away, continuing their descent.
An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge |
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 Lord Arthur Savile's Crime, etc. by Oscar Wilde: as indeed often happens in the case of very finely-wrought natures,
for the senses, like fire, can purify as well as destroy.
After breakfast, he flung himself down on a divan, and lit a
cigarette. On the mantel-shelf, framed in dainty old brocade,
stood a large photograph of Sybil Merton, as he had seen her first
at Lady Noel's ball. The small, exquisitely-shaped head drooped
slightly to one side, as though the thin, reed-like throat could
hardly bear the burden of so much beauty; the lips were slightly
parted, and seemed made for sweet music; and all the tender purity
of girlhood looked out in wonder from the dreaming eyes. With her
soft, clinging dress of CREPE-DE-CHINE, and her large leaf-shaped
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