| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Moll Flanders by Daniel Defoe: naming another name that was also an acquaintance of the
gentlewoman of the house.
Away I went, and, coming to the house, I found them all in
confusion, you may be sure. I ran in, and finding one of the
maids, 'Lord! sweetheart,' says I, 'how came this dismal
accident? Where is your mistress? Any how does she do?
Is she safe? And where are the children? I come from
Madam ---- to help you.' Away runs the maid. 'Madam,
madam,' says she, screaming as loud as she could yell, 'here
is a gentlewoman come from Madam ---- to help us.' The
poor woman, half out of her wits, with a bundle under her arm,
Moll Flanders |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Ballads by Robert Louis Stevenson: elsewhere; nor is there any cause of suicide more common in
the islands.
Note 1, "PIT OF POPOI." Where the breadfruit was stored for
preservation.
Note 2, "RUBY-RED." The priest's eyes were probably red from
the abuse of kava. His beard (IB.) is said to be worth an
estate; for the beards of old men are the favourite head
adornment of the Marquesans, as the hair of women formed
their most costly girdle. The former, among this generally
beardless and short-lived people, fetch to-day considerable
sums.
Ballads |
| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from The Dream-Quest of Unknown Kadath by H. P. Lovecraft: shrine where the river enters through hidden channels and the
god sings softly in the night. Many times the moon hears strange
music as it shines on those courts and terraces and pinnacles,
but whether that music be the song of the god or the chant of
the cryptical priests, none but the King of Ilek-Vad may say;
for only he had entered the temple or seen the priests. Now, in
the drowsiness of day, that carven and delicate fane was silent,
and Carter heard only the murmur of the great stream and the hum
of the birds and bees as he walked onward under the enchanted
sun.
All that afternoon the pilgrim wandered on through perfumed
The Dream-Quest of Unknown Kadath |
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 The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde: Jenkins the carter, a most hard-working man.
JACK. Oh! I don't see much fun in being christened along with
other babies. It would be childish. Would half-past five do?
CHASUBLE. Admirably! Admirably! [Takes out watch.] And now,
dear Mr. Worthing, I will not intrude any longer into a house of
sorrow. I would merely beg you not to be too much bowed down by
grief. What seem to us bitter trials are often blessings in
disguise.
MISS PRISM. This seems to me a blessing of an extremely obvious
kind.
[Enter CECILY from the house.]
|
