| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from The Dynamiter by Robert Louis Stevenson and Fanny Van De Grift Stevenson: Mr. Jones moved forward to the table, took a seat, and still
without once changing the direction of his eyes, addressed
the young man.
'You are right,' he said. 'It is for me the blood money is
offered. And now what will you do?'
It was a question to which Somerset was far from being able
to reply. Taken as he was at unawares, masquerading in the
man's own coat, and surrounded by a whole arsenal of
diabolical explosives, the keeper of the lodging-house was
silenced.
'Yes,' resumed the other, 'I am he. I am that man, whom with
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The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from The Case of the Golden Bullet by Grace Isabel Colbron and Augusta Groner: "Did you speak with him then?
"No, I looked through the keyhole."
"Oh, indeed; is that a habit of yours?"
Dummel blushed deeply, but his eyes flashed, and he looked angry.
"No, it is not, sir," he growled. "I only did it this time because
I was anxious about the master. He's been so worked up and nervous
the last few days. Last night I went to the theatre, as I always
do Saturday evenings. When I returned, about half-past ten it was,
I knocked at the door of his bedroom. He didn't answer, and I
walked away softly, so as not to disturb him in case he'd gone to
sleep already. The hall was dark, and as I went through it I saw
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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 The Arrow of Gold by Joseph Conrad: he, to begin with, sniffed at his. Dona Rita continued leaning on
her elbow, her lips closed in a reposeful expression of peculiar
sweetness. There was nothing drooping in her attitude. Her face
with the delicate carnation of a rose and downcast eyes was as if
veiled in firm immobility and was so appealing that I had an insane
impulse to walk round and kiss the forearm on which it was leaning;
that strong, well-shaped forearm, gleaming not like marble but with
a living and warm splendour. So familiar had I become already with
her in my thoughts! Of course I didn't do anything of the sort.
It was nothing uncontrollable, it was but a tender longing of a
most respectful and purely sentimental kind. I performed the act
The Arrow of Gold |
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 Passionate Pilgrim by William Shakespeare: She told him stories to delight his ear;
She show'd him favours to allure his eye;
To win his heart, she touch'd him here and there, --
Touches so soft still conquer chastity.
But whether unripe years did want conceit,
Or he refused to take her figured proffer,
The tender nibbler would not touch the bait,
But smile and jest at every gentle offer:
Then fell she on her back, fair queen, and toward:
He rose and ran away; ah, fool too froward!
V.
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