| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Child of Storm by H. Rider Haggard: said: 'You see these dead beasts which I and my people must slay for the
king, or fall under his displeasure? Well, bring me five times their
number, and we will talk of your marriage with my daughter, who is a
maid in some request.'
"I answered that I understood and would try my best, whereon he became
more gentle, for Umbezi has a kindly heart.
"'My son,' he said, 'I like you well, and since I saw you save
Macumazahn, my friend, from that mad wild beast of a buffalo I like you
better than before. Yet you know my case. I have an old name and am
called the chief of a tribe, and many live on me. But I am poor, and
this daughter of mine is worth much. Such a woman few men have bred.
Child of Storm |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from The Mayor of Casterbridge by Thomas Hardy: said, 'Do you hear, sir? Go back!' But I zeed that he was
low, and I followed on still. Then 'a said, 'Whittle, what
do ye follow me for when I've told ye to go back all these
times?' And I said, 'Because, sir, I see things be bad with
'ee, and ye wer kind-like to mother if ye wer rough to
me, and I would fain be kind-like to you.' Then he walked
on, and I followed; and he never complained at me no more.
We walked on like that all night; and in the blue o' the
morning, when 'twas hardly day, I looked ahead o' me, and I
zeed that he wambled, and could hardly drag along. By the
time we had got past here, but I had seen that this house
The Mayor of Casterbridge |
| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from All's Well That Ends Well by William Shakespeare: Whate'er falls more.--We must to horse again;--
Go, go, provide.
[Exeunt.]
SCENE 2. Rousillon. The inner court of the COUNTESS'S palace.
[Enter CLOWN and PAROLLES.]
PAROLLES.
Good Monsieur Lavache, give my Lord Lafeu this letter: I have
ere now, sir, been better known to you, when I have held
familiarity with fresher clothes; but I am now, sir, muddied in
fortune's mood, and smell somewhat strong of her strong
displeasure.
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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 Mistress Wilding by Rafael Sabatini: did she receive the least helpful suggestion. Lady Horton made great
prattle to little purpose; Lord Gervase followed her example, whilst
Diana, whose alert if trivial mind was the one that might have offered
assistance, sat silent. Ruth pondered. She bethought her of
Trenchard's sudden arrival at Saint Mary's, his dust-stained person
and excited manner, and of how he had drawn Mr. Wilding aside with
news that seemed of moment. And now her brother spoke of saving her;
it was a little late for that, she thought. Outside the coach his
voice still urged her, and it grew peevish and angry, as was usual
when he was crossed. In the end she consented to do his will. If
she were to fathom this mystery that was thickening about her there
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