| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from The Alkahest by Honore de Balzac: Though Madame Claes, with the tone and manner of a great lady,
silenced these absurd speeches, she was inwardly terrified in spite of
her apparent confidence, and she resolved to break through her present
system of silence and resignation. She brought about one of those
little scenes in which husband and wife are on an equal footing; less
timid at such a moment, she dared to ask Balthazar the reason for his
change, the motive of his constant seclusion. The Flemish husband
frowned, and replied:--
"My dear, you could not understand it."
Soon after, however, Josephine insisted on being told the secret,
gently complaining that she was not allowed to share all the thoughts
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The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Emma by Jane Austen: which was exactly the case; for though very much gratified by the kind
care of such a fair lady, and not liking to resist any advice of
her's, he had not really the least inclination to give up the visit;--
but Emma, too eager and busy in her own previous conceptions
and views to hear him impartially, or see him with clear vision,
was very well satisfied with his muttering acknowledgment of its
being "very cold, certainly very cold," and walked on, rejoicing in
having extricated him from Randalls, and secured him the power
of sending to inquire after Harriet every hour of the evening.
"You do quite right," said she;--"we will make your apologies
to Mr. and Mrs. Weston."
Emma |
| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from King Henry VI by William Shakespeare: [After the Beadle hath hit him once, he leaps over
the stool and runs away; and they follow and cry,
'A miracle!']
KING.
O God, seest Thou this, and bearest so long?
QUEEN.
It made me laugh to see the villain run.
GLOSTER.
Follow the knave, and take this drab away.
WIFE.
Alas, sir, we did it for pure need!
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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 The Virginian by Owen Wister: your having mine proves this one is yours." He rode up and
received the coil which the Virginian held out, unloosing the
disputed one on his saddle. If he had meant to devise a slippery,
evasive insult, no small trick in cow-land could be more
offensive than this taking another man's rope. And it is the
small tricks which lead to the big bullets. Trampas put a smooth
coating of plausibility over the whole transaction. "After the
rope corral we had to make this morning"--his tone was mock
explanatory--"the ropes was all strewed round camp, and in the
hustle I--"
"Pardon me," said a sonorous voice behind us, "do you happen to
The Virginian |
