| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from Salammbo by Gustave Flaubert: Then he was fastened on the elephants with his four limbs forming a
cross; and all those who were not wounded escorted him, and rushed
with great tumult towards Carthage.
The news of the victory had arrived in some inexplicable way at the
third hour of the night; the clepsydra of Khamon had just completed
the fifth as they reached Malqua; then Matho opened his eyes. There
were so many lights in the houses that the town appeared to be all in
flames.
An immense clamour reached him dimly; and lying on his back he looked
at the stars.
Then a door closed and he was wrapped in darkness.
Salammbo |
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 Flower Fables by Louisa May Alcott: sweet, tender thoughts of love and gentleness to the young, strength
to the weak, and patient cheerfulness to the poor and lonely.
Then the child wondered no longer, but deeper grew her love
for the tender-hearted Elves, who left their own happy home to cheer
and comfort those who never knew what hands had clothed and fed them,
what hearts had given of their own joy, and brought such happiness
to theirs.
Long they stayed, and many a lesson little Eva learned: but when
she begged them to go back, they still led her on, saying, "Our work
is not yet done; shall we leave so many sad hearts when we may
cheer them, so many dark homes that we may brighten? We must stay
Flower Fables |
