| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from The Scarlet Pimpernel by Baroness Emmuska Orczy: ground. Eagerly the young man picked it up, and his face looked much
relieved, as his fingers closed tightly over it.
"For shame, Sir Andrew," she said, shaking her head with a
playful sigh, "making havoc in the heart of some impressionable
duchess, whilst conquering the affections of my sweet little Suzanne.
Well, well! I do believe it was Cupid himself who stood by you, and
threatened the entire Foreign Office with destruction by fire, just on
purpose to make me drop love's message, before it had been polluted by
my indiscreet eyes. To think that, a moment longer, and I might have
known the secrets of an erring duchess."
"You will forgive me, Lady Blakeney," said Sir Andrew, now as
The Scarlet Pimpernel |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Frankenstein by Mary Shelley: he invented tales of wonderful fancy and passion. At other times
he repeated my favourite poems, or drew me out into arguments,
which he supported with great ingenuity. We returned to our college
on a Sunday afternoon: the peasants were dancing, and every one we met
appeared gay and happy. My own spirits were high, and I bounded along
with feelings of unbridled joy and hilarity.
Chapter 7
On my return, I found the following letter from my father: --
"My dear Victor,
"You have probably waited impatiently for a letter to fix the date
of your return to us; and I was at first tempted to write only a
Frankenstein |
| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from The Lesson of the Master by Henry James: works."
"But what's art but an intense life - if it be real?" she asked.
"I think it's the only one - everything else is so clumsy!" Her
companion laughed, and she brought out with her charming serenity
what next struck her. "It's so interesting to meet so many
celebrated people."
"So I should think - but surely it isn't new to you."
"Why I've never seen any one - any one: living always in Asia."
The way she talked of Asia somehow enchanted him. "But doesn't
that continent swarm with great figures? Haven't you administered
provinces in India and had captive rajahs and tributary princes
|
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 Dream-Quest of Unknown Kadath by H. P. Lovecraft: be shewn the returning path they have forgotten. Thereat can you
loose the waiting Shantak, sending him skyward with the homing
cry of his kind; hearing which the Great Ones will prance and
jump with antique mirth, and forthwith stride after the loathly
bird in the fashion of gods, through the deep gulfs of heaven
to Kadath's familiar towers and domes.
"Then will the marvellous
sunset city be yours to cherish and inhabit for ever, and once
more will earth's gods rule the dreams of men from their accustomed
seat. Go now - the casement is open and the stars await outside.
Already your Shantak wheezes and titters with impatience. Steer
The Dream-Quest of Unknown Kadath |
