| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Hellenica by Xenophon: redouble his efforts, until the wind is fair. Else, how in the name of
wonderment are those mariners to reach the haven where they would be,
if at the first contrary wind or tide they turn about and sail in the
opposite direction? Death and destruction are concomitants of
constitutional changes and revolution, no doubt; but you are such an
impersonation of change, that, as you twist and turn and double, you
deal destruction on all sides. At one swoop you are the ruin of a
thousand oligarchs at the hands of the people, and at another of a
thousand democrats at the hands of the better classes. Why, sirs, this
is the man to whom the orders were given by the generals, in the sea-
fight off Lesbos, to pick up the crews of the disabled vessels; and
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The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from The Cavalry General by Xenophon: himself equally intelligent with creatures which themselves fall
victims to the craft of man.
[19] e.g. defiles, bridges, outposts, stores, etc.
[20] e.g. a line of outposts, troops in billets or bivouac, etc.
[21] "It is a maxim, the quarry should be weaker than the pursuer."
[22] Zeune cf. Ael. "N. A." viii. 14, on the skill of wolves in
hunting.
[23] For {aposphaxas} Courier suggests {apospasas}, "dragging off what
he can."
V
Here is another matter which every horseman ought to know, and that is
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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 Moll Flanders by Daniel Defoe: ordering his man to go to the other place to make his excuse--
that was to say, he made an excuse to send his man away--he
prepares to go into the coach. As he was going, he stopped a
while, and speaks mighty earnestly to me about his business,
and finds an opportunity to say very softly to me, 'Come away,
my dear, as soon as ever you can.' I said nothing, but made a
curtsy, as if I had done so to what he said in public. In about
a quarter of an hour I went out too; I had no dress other than
before, except that I had a hood, a mask, a fan, and a pair of
gloves in my pocket; so that there was not the least suspicion
in the house. He waited for me in the coach in a back-lane,
Moll Flanders |
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 Hamlet by William Shakespeare: She should in ground vnsanctified haue lodg'd,
Till the last Trumpet. For charitable praier,
Shardes, Flints, and Peebles, should be throwne on her:
Yet heere she is allowed her Virgin Rites,
Her Maiden strewments, and the bringing home
Of Bell and Buriall
Laer. Must there no more be done ?
Priest. No more be done:
We should prophane the seruice of the dead,
To sing sage Requiem, and such rest to her
As to peace-parted Soules
Hamlet |
