| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Kwaidan by Lafcadio Hearn: grass! [4]
Oki, oki yo!
Waga tomo ni sen,
Neru-kocho!
[Wake up! wake up! -- I will make thee my comrade, thou sleeping
butterfly. [5]]
Kago no tori
Cho wo urayamu
Metsuki kana!
[Ah, the sad expression in the eyes of that caged bird! -- envying the
butterfly!]
Kwaidan |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from The Taming of the Shrew by William Shakespeare: Persuade him that he hath been lunatic;
And, when he says he is--say that he dreams,
For he is nothing but a mighty lord.
This do, and do it kindly, gentle sirs;
It will be pastime passing excellent,
If it be husbanded with modesty.
FIRST HUNTSMAN.
My lord, I warrant you we will play our part,
As he shall think by our true diligence,
He is no less than what we say he is.
LORD.
The Taming of the Shrew |
| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from Westward Ho! by Charles Kingsley: her household gods, by the side of Frank's innumerable diplomas and
letters of recommendation, the Latin whereof she was always
spelling over (although she understood not a word of it), in hopes
of finding, here and there, that precious excellentissimus Noster
Franciscus Leighius Anglus, which was all in all to the mother's
heart.
But why did Amyas go to the South Seas? Amyas went to the South
Seas for two causes, each of which has, before now, sent many a lad
to far worse places: first, because of an old schoolmaster;
secondly, because of a young beauty. I will take them in order and
explain.
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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 Venus and Adonis by William Shakespeare: Being nurse and feeder of the other four;
Would they not wish the feast might ever last,
And bid Suspicion double-lock the door,
Lest Jealousy, that sour unwelcome guest,
Should, by his stealing in, disturb the feast?' 448
Once more the ruby-colour'd portal open'd,
Which to his speech did honey passage yield, 452
Like a red morn, that ever yet betoken'd
Wrack to the seaman, tempest to the field,
Sorrow to shepherds, woe unto the birds,
Gusts and foul flaws to herdmen and to herds. 456
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