The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Philosophy 4 by Owen Wister: Greek philosophers with their dates and doctrines were shouted gayly in
the meadow. The foreheads of the boys were damp to-day, as they had
been last night, and their shirts were opened to the air; but it was the
sun that made them hot now, and no lamp or gas; and already they looked
twice as alive as they had looked at breakfast. There they sat, while
their memories gripped the summarized list of facts essential, facts to
be known accurately; the simple, solid, raw facts, which, should they
happen to come on the examination paper, no skill could evade nor any
imagination supply. But this study was no longer dry and dreadful to
them: they had turned it to a sporting event. "What about Heracleitos?"
Billy as catechist would put at Bertie. "Eternal flux," Bertie would
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The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Lay Morals by Robert Louis Stevenson: poor Tom saying nothing. You would 'a' thought they had all
lost the King's crown to hear them. Down gets this Dicksee.
"Postmaster," he says, taking him by the arm, "this is a most
abominable thing," he says. Down gets a Major Clayton, and
gets the old man by the other arm. "We've been robbed," he
cries, "robbed!" Down gets the others, and all around the
old man telling their story, and what they had lost, and how
they was all as good as ruined; till at last Old Engleton
says, says he, "How about Oglethorpe?" says he. "Ay," says
the others, "how about the guard?" Well, with that we
bousted him down, as white as a rag and all blooded like a
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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 Marie by H. Rider Haggard: the turn; it is easy to miss a bird that is turning, baas."
"Very easy. Come on."
Just as we were starting Vrouw Prinsloo appeared from behind the other
wagon, and with her Marie, who, I noticed, was very pale and whose
beautiful eyes were red, as though with weeping.
The vrouw asked me where we were going. I told her. After considering
a little, she said that was a good thought of mine, as it was always
well to study the ground before a battle.
I nodded, and led Marie aside behind some thorn trees that grew near.
"Oh! Allan, what will be the end of this?" she asked piteously. High as
was her courage it seemed to fail her now.
 Marie |
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 Three Taverns by Edwin Arlington Robinson: (That's what you mean, whatever the turn you give it),
Sure of a kindred sympathy, and thereby
Effect a mutual calm? You know that wisdom,
Given in vain to make a food for those
Who are without it, will be seen at last,
And even at last only by those who gave it,
As one or more of the forgotten crumbs
That others leave? You know that men's applause
And women's envy savor so much of dust
That I go hungry, having at home no fare
But the same changeless bread that I may swallow
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