| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from The Riverman by Stewart Edward White: days under the weak. They piled off the train at Sawyer's, stamped
their feet on the board platform of the station, shouldered their
"turkeys," and straggled off down the tote-road. It was an
eighteen-mile walk in. The ground had loosened its frost. The
footing was ankle-deep in mud and snow-water.
Next morning, bright and early, the breaking of the rollways began.
During the winter the logs had been hauled down ice roads to the
river, where they were "banked" in piles twenty, and even thirty,
feet in height. The bed of the stream itself was filled with them
for a mile, save in a narrow channel left down through the middle to
allow for some flow of water; the banks were piled with them, side
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The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Father Goriot by Honore de Balzac: are both in the wrong. Come, Dedel," he added, looking through
his tears at the Baroness, "she must have twelve thousand francs,
you see; let us see if we can find them for her. Oh, my girls, do
not look at each other like that!" and he sank on his knees
beside Delphine. "Ask her to forgive you--just to please me," he
said in her ear. "She is more miserable than you are. Come now,
Dedel."
"Poor Nasie!" said Delphine, alarmed at the wild extravagant
grief in her father's face, "I was in the wrong, kiss me----"
"Ah! that is like balm to my heart," cried Father Goriot. "But
how are we to find twelve thousand francs? I might offer myself
Father Goriot |
| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from Polity of Athenians and Lacedaemonians by Xenophon: choragi for the Dionysia, the Thargelia, the Panathenaea, year after
year. [[7] And again in behalf of the gymnasiarchs a similar
adjudication for the Panathenaea, the Prometheia, and the Hephaestia,
also year after year.] Also as between the trierarchs, four hundred of
whom are appointed each year, of these, too, any who choose must have
their cases adjudicated on, year after year. But that is not all.
There are various magistrates to examine and approve[8] and decide
between; there are orphans[9] whose status must be examined; and
guardians of prisoners to appoint. These, be it borne in mind, are all
matters of yearly occurrence; while at intervals there are exemptions
and abstentions from military service[10] which call for adjudication,
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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 Pericles by William Shakespeare: Shall for itself itself perform.
I nill relate, action may
Conveniently the rest convey;
Which might not what by me is told.
In your imagination hold
This stage the ship, upon whose deck
The sea-tost Pericles appears to speak.
[Exit.]
SCENE I.
[Enter Pericles, on shipboard.]
PERICLES.
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