| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Oscar Wilde Miscellaneous by Oscar Wilde: MYRRHINA. Why did the three lepers call to him?
FIRST MAN. That he might heal them.
MYRRHINA. Did he heal them?
SECOND MAN. No. They had committed some sin: it was for that
reason they were lepers. Their hands and faces were like salt. One
of them wore a mask of linen. He was a king's son.
MYRRHINA. What is the voice that speaks to him at night time in his
cave?
FIRST MAN. We do not know whose voice it is. We think it is the
voice of his God. For we have seen no man enter his cavern nor any
come forth from it.
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The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Polity of Athenians and Lacedaemonians by Xenophon: preliminary practice all their lives.
[50] See "Mem." II. viii. 1.
[51] See "Hell." VII. i. 4.
II
As to the heavy infantry, an arm the deficiency of which at Athens is
well recognised, this is how the matter stands. They recognise the
fact that, in reference to the hostile power, they are themselves
inferior, and must be, even if their heavy infantry were more
numerous.[1] But relatively to the allies, who bring in the tribute,
their strength even on land is enormous. And they are persuaded that
their heavy infantry is sufficient for all purposes, provided they
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