| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Domestic Peace by Honore de Balzac: of so many vivid passions, of all these lovers' quarrels, these
pleasing revenges, these cruel favors, these flaming glances, of all
this ardent life diffused around them, only made them feel their
impotence more keenly.
At last the Baron had found a seat by Madame de Soulanges. His eyes
stole a long look at her neck, as fresh as dew and as fragrant as
field flowers. He admired close at hand the beauty which had amazed
him from afar. He could see a small, well-shod foot, and measure with
his eye a slender and graceful shape. At that time women wore their
sash tied close under the bosom, in imitation of Greek statues, a
pitiless fashion for those whose bust was faulty. As he cast furtive
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The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Lucile by Owen Meredith: She stretch'd forth her hand where, already outspread
On the darken'd horizon, remotely they saw
The French camp-fires kindling.
"See yonder vast host, with its manifold heart
Made as one man's by one hope! The hope 'tis your part
To aid towards achievement, to save from reverse
Mine, through suffering to soothe, and through sickness to nurse.
I go to my work: you to yours."
XXXVIII.
Whilst she spoke,
On the wide wasting evening there distantly broke
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| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from Barlaam and Ioasaph by St. John of Damascus: now, thou man, whose soul is enlightened, will Christ accept me,
if I forsake my evil deeds and turn to him?" "Yea," said that
preacher of truth; "Yea, he receiveth thee and all that turn to
him. And he not only receiveth thee, but he goeth out to meet
thee returning out of the way of iniquity, as though it were a
son returning from a far country. And he falleth on his neck and
kisseth him, and he strippeth him of the shameful robe of sin,
and putteth on him a cloak of brightest glory, making mystic
gladness for the powers on high, keeping feast for the return of
the lost sheep. The Lord himself saith, `There is exceeding
great joy in heaven over one sinner that repenteth': and again,
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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 When the World Shook by H. Rider Haggard: to soothe their companions and even giving them absolution in
hurried whispers.
At length the separation was effected, whereon at a hoarse word
of command, a company of soldiers began to fire at the men and
continued doing so until all had fallen. Then petty officers went
among the slaughtered and with pistols blew out the brains of any
who still moved.
"These butchers, you say, are Germans?" asked Oro of me.
"Yes," I answered, sick with horror, for though I was in the
mind and not in the body, I could feel as the mind does. Had I
been in the body also, I should have fainted.
When the World Shook |
