| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from The Ebb-Tide by Stevenson & Osbourne: will you give me your hand, and try a fresh deal, and go home (as
like as not) a millionaire? Say no, and God pity me! Say yes, and
I'll make the little ones pray for you every night on
their bended knees. "God bless Mr Herrick!" that's what they'll
say, one after the other, the old girl sitting there holding
stakes at the foot of the bed, and the damned little innocents. .
. He broke off. 'I don't often rip out about the kids,' he said;
'but when I do, there's something fetches loose.'
'Captain,' said Herrick faintly, 'is there nothing else?'
'I'll prophesy if you like,' said the captain with renewed
vigour. 'Refuse this, because you think yourself too honest, and
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The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Albert Savarus by Honore de Balzac: strength and power of my heart, and the nature of its aspirations for
happiness. This plant," he went on, pointing to the yellow jasmine
which covered the balustrade, "does not climb more eagerly to spread
itself in the sunbeams than I have clung to you for this month past. I
love you with unique passion. That love will be the secret fount of my
life--I may possibly die of it."
"Oh! Frenchman, Frenchman!" said she, emphasizing her exclamation with
a little incredulous grimace.
"Shall I not be forced to wait, to accept you at the hands of time?"
said he gravely. "But know this: if you are in earnest in what you
have allowed to escape you, I will wait for you faithfully, without
Albert Savarus |
| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from Lay Morals by Robert Louis Stevenson: ostler.
'Is that so?' cried Jonathan eagerly. 'Was you robbed too?'
'That was I,' replied Cumberland, 'with a warrant! I was a
well-to-do man when I was young.'
'Ay! See that!' says Jonathan. 'And you don't long for a
revenge?'
'Eh! Not me!' answered the beggar. 'It's too long ago. But
if you'll give me another mug of your good ale, my pretty
lady, I won't say no to that.'
'And shalt have! And shalt have!' cried Jonathan. 'Or
brandy even, if you like it better.'
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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 At the Earth's Core by Edgar Rice Burroughs: She is not of my tribe; but her mother is my sister.
She does not know it--her mother was stolen by Dian's
father who came with many others of the tribe of Amoz
to battle with us for our women--the most beautiful women
of Pellucidar. Then was her father king of Amoz, and her
mother was daughter of the king of Sari--to whose power I,
his son, have succeeded. Dian is the daughter of kings,
though her father is no longer king since the sadok tossed
him and Jubal the Ugly One wrested his kingship from him.
Because of her lineage the wrong you did her was greatly
magnified in the eyes of all who saw it. She will never
At the Earth's Core |
