| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Ten Years Later by Alexandre Dumas: "I have always remembered that, M. Colbert, and I have
worked with that end in view. You know that I have amassed a
little wealth."
"I know you have, monseigneur."
"At how much do you estimate, as near as you can, the amount
of this wealth, M. Colbert?"
"At forty millions, five hundred and sixty thousand, two
hundred livres, nine cents, eight farthings," replied
Colbert.
The cardinal heaved a deep sigh, and looked at Colbert with
wonder, but he allowed a smile to steal across his lips.
Ten Years Later |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Heroes by Charles Kingsley: PART III - HOW PERSEUS SLEW THE GORGON
SO Perseus started on his journey, going dry-shod over land
and sea; and his heart was high and joyful, for the winged
sandals bore him each day a seven days' journey.
And he went by Cythnus, and by Ceos, and the pleasant
Cyclades to Attica; and past Athens and Thebes, and the
Copaic lake, and up the vale of Cephissus, and past the peaks
of OEta and Pindus, and over the rich Thessalian plains, till
the sunny hills of Greece were behind him, and before him
were the wilds of the north. Then he passed the Thracian
mountains, and many a barbarous tribe, Paeons and Dardans and
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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 Persuasion by Jane Austen: finding her better at night.
Anxious to omit no possible precaution, Anne struggled, and said--
"I am afraid, ma'am, that it is not perfectly understood.
Pray be so good as to mention to the other gentlemen that we hope
to see your whole party this evening. I am afraid there had been
some mistake; and I wish you particularly to assure Captain Harville
and Captain Wentworth, that we hope to see them both."
"Oh! my dear, it is quite understood, I give you my word.
Captain Harville has no thought but of going."
"Do you think so? But I am afraid; and I should be so very sorry.
Will you promise me to mention it, when you see them again?
Persuasion |
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 Secret Sharer by Joseph Conrad: for your letters, sir," explained the young man.
"He expects to take her up the river the day after tomorrow."
After thus overwhelming us with the extent of his information
he slipped out of the cabin. The mate observed regretfully
that he "could not account for that young fellow's whims."
What prevented him telling us all about it at once,
he wanted to know.
I detained him as he was making a move. For the last two days the crew had
had plenty of hard work, and the night before they had very little sleep.
I felt painfully that I--a stranger--was doing something unusual when I
directed him to let all hands turn in without setting an anchor watch.
The Secret Sharer |
