| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Mrs. Warren's Profession by George Bernard Shaw: mother simply wouldnt put up with her. So--hallo! [This
exclamation is provoked by the reappearance of the clergyman, who
comes out of the house in haste and dismay].
REV. S. Frank: Mrs Warren and her daughter are coming across the
heath with Crofts: I saw them from the study windows. What a m I
to say about your mother?
FRANK. Stick on your hat and go out and say how delighted you
are to see them; and that Frank's in the garden; and that mother
and Bessie have been called to the bedside of a sick relative,
and were ever so sorry they couldnt stop; and that you hope Mrs
Warren slept well; and--and--say any blessed thing except the
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The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from King Henry VI by William Shakespeare: Or else you famish,--that's a threefold death.
This speak I, lords, to let you understand,
If case some one of you would fly from us,
That there's no hop'd-for mercy with the brothers
More than with ruthless waves, with sands, and rocks.
Why, courage then! what cannot be avoided
'T were childish weakness to lament or fear.
PRINCE.
Methinks, a woman of this valiant spirit
Should, if a coward heard her speak these words,
Infuse his breast with magnanimity,
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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 Maria, or the Wrongs of Woman by Mary Wollstonecraft: few kind words from Johnny would have found the woman in her, and
her dear benefactress, as she termed me in an agony of tears, would
have been sacrificed, to recompense her tyrant for condescending
to treat her like an equal. He could be kind-hearted, as she
expressed it, when he pleased. And this thawed sternness, contrasted
with his habitual brutality, was the more acceptable, and could
not be purchased at too dear a rate.
"The sight of the advertisement made me desirous of taking
refuge with my uncle, let what would be the consequence; and I
repaired in a hackney coach (afraid of meeting some person who
might chance to know me, had I walked) to the chambers of my uncle's
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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 Black Dwarf by Walter Scott: more angry and irritable feelings of poor Hobbie. Ere he had
again addressed the Solitary, the bony hand and long fingers of
the latter, holding a large leathern bag, was thrust forth at the
small window, and as it unclutched the burden, and let it drop
with a clang upon the ground, his harsh voice again addressed
Elliot.
"There--there lies a salve for every human ill; so, at least,
each human wretch readily thinks.--Begone; return twice as
wealthy as thou wert before yesterday, and torment me no more
with questions, complaints, or thanks; they are alike odious to
me."
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