| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Paradise Lost by John Milton: And found no end, in wandering mazes lost.
Of good and evil much they argued then,
Of happiness and final misery,
Passion and apathy, and glory and shame:
Vain wisdom all, and false philosophy!--
Yet, with a pleasing sorcery, could charm
Pain for a while or anguish, and excite
Fallacious hope, or arm th' obdured breast
With stubborn patience as with triple steel.
Another part, in squadrons and gross bands,
On bold adventure to discover wide
Paradise Lost |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from The Silverado Squatters by Robert Louis Stevenson: lady, had to work pretty hard all morning, she subsided when
it was over into much the same dazed beatitude as all the
rest.
Her special corner was the parlour - a very genteel room,
with Bible prints, a crayon portrait of Mrs. Corwin in the
height of fashion, a few years ago, another of her son (Mr.
Corwin was not represented), a mirror, and a selection of
dried grasses. A large book was laid religiously on the
table - "From Palace to Hovel," I believe, its name - full of
the raciest experiences in England. The author had mingled
freely with all classes, the nobility particularly meeting
|
| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea by Jules Verne: crew disabled, preferred sinking with its 356 sailors to surrendering;
and, nailing its colours to the poop, disappeared under the waves to
the cry of `Long live the Republic!'"
"The Avenger!" I exclaimed.
"Yes, sir, the Avenger! A good name!" muttered Captain Nemo,
crossing his arms.
CHAPTER XXI
A HECATOMB
The way of describing this unlooked-for scene, the history
of the patriot ship, told at first so coldly, and the emotion
with which this strange man pronounced the last words,
20,000 Leagues Under the Sea |
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 Gobseck by Honore de Balzac: though you were one of his victims.'
" 'One of his victims?' he repeated, with a look of astonishment.
" 'Yes. Did you not refuse to accept composition at the meeting of
creditors until he undertook privately to pay you your debt in full;
and did he not give you bills accepted by the insolvent firm; and
then, when he set up in business again, did he not pay you the
dividend upon those bills of yours, signed as they were by the
bankrupt firm?'
" 'He was a sharp one, but I had it out of him.'
" 'Then have you some bills to protest? To-day is the 30th, I
believe.'
Gobseck |
