| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Gorgias by Plato: homeliness and simplicity. Plato can do with words just as he pleases; to
him they are indeed 'more plastic than wax' (Republic). We are in the
habit of opposing speech and writing, poetry and prose. But he has
discovered a use of language in which they are united; which gives a
fitting expression to the highest truths; and in which the trifles of
courtesy and the familiarities of daily life are not overlooked.
GORGIAS
by
Plato
Translated by Benjamin Jowett
PERSONS OF THE DIALOGUE: Callicles, Socrates, Chaerephon, Gorgias, Polus.
|
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Montezuma's Daughter by H. Rider Haggard: to say us nay.'
Then we talked on awhile, babbling broken words of love and hope
and sorrow, as young folks so placed are wont to do, till at length
Lily looked up with a sad sweet smile and said:
'It is time to go, sweetheart. My father beckons me from the
lattice. All is finished.'
'Let us go then,' I answered huskily, and drew her behind the trunk
of the old beech. And there I caught her in my arms and kissed her
again and yet again, nor was she ashamed to kiss me back.
After this I remember little of what happened, except that as we
rode away I saw her beloved face, wan and wistful, watching me
Montezuma's Daughter |
