| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Hellenica by Xenophon: there encamping. The effect of this manouvre on the enemy in general
was to relax the prepared bent of their souls for battle, and to
weaken their tactical arrangements. Presently, however, wheeling his
regiments (which were marching in column) to the front, with the
effect of strengthening the beak-like[13] attack which he proposed to
lead himself, at the same instant he gave the order, "Shoulder arms,
forward," and led the way, the troops following.
[12] Grote ("H. G." x. 463) has another interpretation.
[13] Or, "the wedge-like attack of his own division"; see Grote, "H.
G." x. 469 foll. I do not, however, think that the attacking
column was actually wedge-shaped like the "acies cuneata" of the
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The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Cromwell by William Shakespeare: made of: they all swore I told them as right as if I had
been acquainted with the Carpenter that made it. At last
we grew near land, and I grew villainous hungry, went
to my bag: the devil a bit there was. The Sailors had
tickled me; yet I cannot blame them: it was a part of
kindness, for I in kindness told them what Wood the ship
was made of, and they in kindness eat up my victuals, as
indeed one good turn asketh another. Well, would I could
find my master Thomas in this Dutch Town; he might put
some English Beer into my belly.
CROMWELL.
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