| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Herbert West: Reanimator by H. P. Lovecraft: he looked half-covetously at any very healthy living physique.
It was in July, 1910, that the bad luck regarding specimens
began to turn. I had been on a long visit to my parents in Illinois,
and upon my return found West in a state of singular elation.
He had, he told me excitedly, in all likelihood solved the problem
of freshness through an approach from an entirely new angle --
that of artificial preservation. I had known that he was working
on a new and highly unusual embalming compound, and was not surprised
that it had turned out well; but until he explained the details
I was rather puzzled as to how such a compound could help in our
work, since the objectionable staleness of the specimens was largely
Herbert West: Reanimator |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Venus and Adonis by William Shakespeare: An oven that is stopp'd, or river stay'd,
Burneth more hotly, swelleth with more rage: 332
So of concealed sorrow may be said;
Free vent of words love's fire doth assuage;
But when the heart's attorney once is mute
The client breaks, as desperate in his suit. 336
He sees her coming, and begins to glow,--
Even as a dying coal revives with wind,--
And with his bonnet hides his angry brow;
Looks on the dull earth with disturbed mind, 340
Taking no notice that she is so nigh,
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