| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Shadow out of Time by H. P. Lovecraft: torch from my mouth and shut it off to save the battery. Then,
in the dark, I collected my courage finally lifting the cover
without turning on the light. Last of all, I did indeed flash
the torch upon the exposed page - steeling myself in advance to
suppress any sound no matter what I should find.
I looked for
an instant, then collapsed. Clenching my teeth, however, I kept
silent. I sank wholly to the floor and put a hand to my forehead
amidst the engulfing blackness. What I dreaded and expected was
there. Either I was dreaming, or time and space had become a mockery.
I must be dreaming - but I would test the horror by carrying
Shadow out of Time |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Persuasion by Jane Austen: who were fortunately already engaged to come; and she could not
have received a more gratifying attention. Miss Elliot was to have
the honour of calling on Mrs Musgrove in the course of the morning;
and Anne walked off with Charles and Mary, to go and see her
and Henrietta directly.
Her plan of sitting with Lady Russell must give way for the present.
They all three called in Rivers Street for a couple of minutes;
but Anne convinced herself that a day's delay of the intended communication
could be of no consequence, and hastened forward to the White Hart,
to see again the friends and companions of the last autumn,
with an eagerness of good-will which many associations contributed to form.
Persuasion |
