| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Menexenus by Plato: bore them and nourished them and received them, and in her bosom they now
repose. It is meet and right, therefore, that we should begin by praising
the land which is their mother, and that will be a way of praising their
noble birth.
The country is worthy to be praised, not only by us, but by all mankind;
first, and above all, as being dear to the Gods. This is proved by the
strife and contention of the Gods respecting her. And ought not the
country which the Gods praise to be praised by all mankind? The second
praise which may be fairly claimed by her, is that at the time when the
whole earth was sending forth and creating diverse animals, tame and wild,
she our mother was free and pure from savage monsters, and out of all
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The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Pericles by William Shakespeare: The curse of heaven and men succeed their evils!
Till when, -- the which I hope shall ne'er be seen, --
Your grace is welcome to our town and us.
PERICLES.
Which welcome we'll accept; feast here awhile,
Until our stars that frown lend us a smile.
[Exeunt.]
ACT II.
[Enter Gower.]
GOWER.
Mere have you seen a mighty king
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