| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Twenty Years After by Alexandre Dumas: them:
"Come along," he said; and he went toward the door of the
second compartment.
"Stop!" said the Englishman, "I have the key of that door;"
and he opened the door, with a trembling hand, into the
second compartment, where Musqueton and Blaisois were
preparing supper.
Here there was evidently nothing to seek or to apprehend and
they passed rapidly to examine the third compartment.
This was the room appropriated to the sailors. Two or three
hammocks hung upon the ceiling, a table and two benches
Twenty Years After |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Plutarch's Lives by A. H. Clough: Themistocles, however, formed yet higher designs with a view to naval
supremacy. For, after the departure of Xerxes, when the Grecian fleet
was arrived at Pagasae, where they wintered, Themistocles, in a public
oration to the people of Athens, told them that he had a design to
perform something that would tend greatly to their interests and safety,
but was of such a nature, that it could not be made generally public.
The Athenians ordered him to impart it to Aristides only; and, if he
approved of it, to put it in practice. And when Themistocles had
discovered to him that his design was to burn the Grecian fleet in the
haven of Pagasae, Aristides, coming out to the people, gave this report
of the stratagem contrived by Themistocles, that no proposal could be
|
| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from Almayer's Folly by Joseph Conrad: me."
He led the way, following the bank as far as the forest. Ali
answered to his call, and, pushing their way through the dense
bush, they stepped into the canoe hidden under the overhanging
branches. Dain laid Nina in the bottom, and sat holding her head
on his knees. Almayer and Ali each took up a paddle. As they
were going to push out Ali hissed warningly. All listened.
In the great stillness before the bursting out of the
thunderstorm they could hear the sound of oars working regularly
in their row-locks. The sound approached steadily, and Dain,
looking through the branches, could see the faint shape of a big
Almayer's Folly |
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 A Heap O' Livin' by Edgar A. Guest: there
And homesick soldiers far away know spring
is in the air;
The tulips come to bloom again, the grass
once more is green,
And every man can see the spot where all his
joys have been.
He sees his children smile at him, he hears the
bugle call,
And only death can stop him now -- he's fight-
ing for them all.
A Heap O' Livin' |
