| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from An Unsocial Socialist by George Bernard Shaw: the act of taking her hand delicately, and saying, "Gertrude, I
love you. May I tell you so again?" But this scheme did not now
seem practicable.
"Miss Lindsay."
Gertrude, bending over the table, looked up in alarm.
"The present is as good an opportunity as I will--as I shall--as
I will."
"Shall," said Gertrude.
"I beg your pardon?"
"SHALL," repeated Gertrude. "Did you ever study the doctrine of
necessity?"
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The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from The Life of the Spider by J. Henri Fabre: difference would it make to my neighbour if the world fell in! The
village could be blown up with dynamite, without her losing her
head for such a trifle. She would calmly go on with her web.
Let us return to the Spider manufacturing her net under the usual
tranquil conditions. The great spiral has been finished, abruptly,
on the confines of the resting-floor. The central cushion, a mat
of ends of saved thread, is next pulled up and eaten. But, before
indulging in this mouthful, which closes the proceedings, two
Spiders, the only two of the order, the Banded and the Silky
Epeira, have still to sign their work. A broad, white ribbon is
laid, in a thick zigzag, from the centre to the lower edge of the
The Life of the Spider |
| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from Under the Red Robe by Stanley Weyman: sight.
'MON DIEU!' the Lieutenant cried; the answer was a dull splash
in the depths below. He flung up his arms. 'Water!' he said.
'Quick, men, get down. We may save him yet.'
But there was no path, and night was come, and the men's nerves
were shaken. The lanthorns had to be lit, and the way to be
retraced; by the time we reached the dark pool which lay below,
the last bubbles were gone from the surface, the last ripples had
beaten themselves out against the banks. The pool still rocked
sullenly, and the yellow light showed a man's hat floating, and
near it a glove three parts submerged. But that was all. The
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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 Prufrock/Other Observations by T. S. Eliot: It is impossible to say just what I mean I
But as if a magic lantern threw the nerves in patterns on a screen:
Would it have been worth while
If one, settling a pillow or throwing off a shawl,
And turning toward the window, should say:
"That is not it at all,
That is not what I meant, at all."
* * * *
No I am not Prince Hamlet, nor was meant to be;
Am an attendant lord, one that will do
To swell a progress, start a scene or two,
Prufrock/Other Observations |
