| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Hiero by Xenophon: fellowship, what converse, what society would be agreeable without
confidence? What intercourse between man and wife be sweet apart from
trustfulness? How should the "faithful esquire" whose faith is
mistrusted still be lief and dear?[2]
[1] "How can he, whose faith's discredited, the moral bankrupt . . ."
[2] Or, "the trusty knight and serving-man." Cf. "Morte d'Arthur,"
xxi. 5, King Arthur and Sir Bedivere.
Well, then, of this frank confidence in others the tyrant has the
scantiest share.[3] Seeing his life is such, he cannot even trust his
meats and drinks, but he must bid his serving-men before the feast
begins, or ever the libation to the gods is poured,[4] to taste the
|
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Bureaucracy by Honore de Balzac: the pains and privations she had borne in her own childhood; she
believed that in this affection she had her full share in the world of
feeling. Solely for her daughter's sake she had persuaded her father
to take the important step of going into partnership with Falleix.
Falleix had been brought to the Saillard's house by old Bidault, who
lent him money on his merchandise. Falleix thought his old countryman
extortionate, and complained to the Saillards that Gigonnet demanded
eighteen per cent from an Auvergnat. Madame Saillard ventured to
remonstrate with her uncle.
"It is just because he is an Auvergnat that I take only eighteen per
cent," said Gigonnet, when she spoke of him.
|