| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Salammbo by Gustave Flaubert: beasts. Spendius had spit upon the images of Jupiter Olympius;
nevertheless he dreaded to speak aloud in the dark, nor did he fail
every day to put on his right boot first.
He reared a long quadrangular terrace in front of Utica, but in
proportion as it ascended the rampart was also heightened, and what
was thrown down by the one side was almost immediately raised again by
the other. Spendius took care of his men; he dreamed of plans and
strove to recall the stratagems which he had heard described in his
travels. But why did Narr' Havas not return? There was nothing but
anxiety.
Hanno had at last concluded his preparations. One night when there was
Salammbo |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from The Works of Samuel Johnson by Samuel Johnson: outrageously impatient of his delays, which I
now perceived to be only artifices of lewdness. He
told me at last, with an appearance of sorrow, that
all hopes of restoration to my former state were for
ever precluded; that chance had discovered my
secret, and malice divulged it; and that nothing
now remained, but to seek a retreat more private,
where curiosity or hatred could never find us.
The rage, anguish, and resentment, which I felt
at this account are not to be expressed. I was in so
much dread of reproach and infamy, which he represented
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