The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Gulliver's Travels by Jonathan Swift: had done, desired I would set them down, that they might deliver
it to the emperor. This inventory I afterwards translated into
English, and is, word for word, as follows:
"IMPRIMIS, In the right coat-pocket of the great man-mountain"
(for so I interpret the words QUINBUS FLESTRIN,) "after the
strictest search, we found only one great piece of coarse-cloth,
large enough to be a foot-cloth for your majesty's chief room of
state. In the left pocket we saw a huge silver chest, with a
cover of the same metal, which we, the searchers, were not able
to lift. We desired it should be opened, and one of us stepping
into it, found himself up to the mid leg in a sort of dust, some
Gulliver's Travels |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas: boy," continued the tailor, looking askance at the handful
of gold and silver which Dantes had thrown on the table.
The young man remarked the greedy glance which shone in the
dark eyes of his neighbor. "Eh," he said, negligently. "this
money is not mine. I was expressing to my father my fears
that he had wanted many things in my absence, and to
convince me he emptied his purse on the table. Come, father"
added Dantes, "put this money back in your box -- unless
neighbor Caderousse wants anything, and in that case it is
at his service."
"No, my boy, no," said Caderousse. "I am not in any want,
The Count of Monte Cristo |
The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from Salome by Oscar Wilde: mort et la donne au soldat qui l'apporte immediatement au bourreau.
Le bourreau a l'air effare.] Qui a pris ma bague? Il y avait une
bague e ma main droite. Qui a bu mon vin! Il y avait du vin dans
ma coupe. Elle etait pleine de vin. Quelqu'un l'a bu? Oh! je suis
sur qu'il va arriver un malheur e quelqu'un. [Le bourreau descend
dans la citerne.] Ah! pourquoi ai-je donne ma parole? Les rois ne
doivent jamais donner leur parole. S'ils ne la gardent pas, c'est
terrible. S'ils la gardent, c'est terrible aussi . . .
HERODIAS. Je trouve que ma fille a bien fait.
HERODE. Je suis sur qu'il va arriver un malheur.
SALOME [Elle se penche sur la citerne et ecoute.] Il n'y a pas de
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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 Monster Men by Edgar Rice Burroughs: As Professor Maxon eyed the man before replying to his
abrupt request, von Horn noted a strange and sudden
light in the older man's eyes--a something which he
never before had seen there and which caused an
uncomfortable sensation to creep over him--a manner of
bristling that was akin either to fear or horror, von
Horn could not tell which.
Then the professor arose from his seat and came very
close to the younger man, until his face was only a few
inches from von Horn's.
"Doctor," he whispered in a strange, tense voice,
The Monster Men |