| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from A Pair of Blue Eyes by Thomas Hardy: 'It was, Elfride.'
They stepped into the drawing-room from the verandah. At that
moment Mrs. Swancourt came downstairs, and entered the same room
by the door.
'Here, Charlotte, is my little Elfride,' said Mr. Swancourt, with
the increased affection of tone often adopted towards relations
when newly produced.
Poor Elfride, not knowing what to do, did nothing at all; but
stood receptive of all that came to her by sight, hearing, and
touch.
Mrs. Swancourt moved forward, took her step-daughter's hand, then
A Pair of Blue Eyes |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from The Light of Western Stars by Zane Grey: the stars began to pale and there was no sound whatever, she fell
asleep.
She was called out of her slumber. Day had broken bright and
cool. The sun was still below the eastern crags. Ambrose, with
several other cowboys, had brought up buckets of spring-water,
and hot coffee and cakes. Madeline's party appeared to be none
the worse for the night's experience. Indeed, the meager
breakfast might have been as merrily partaken of as it was
hungrily had not Ambrose enjoined silence.
"They're expectin' company down below," he said.
This information and the summary manner in which the cowboys soon
The Light of Western Stars |
| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from The Exiles by Honore de Balzac: our desires, flowed together; our heads were always bent over one book
when we read, our feet walked in equal step. Life was one long kiss,
our home was a nest.
" 'One day, for the first time, Teresa turned pale and said, "I am in
pain!"--And I was not in pain!
" 'She never rose again. I saw her sweet face change, her golden hair
fade--and I did not die! She smiled to hide her sufferings, but I
could read them in her blue eyes, of which I could interpret the
slightest trembling. "Honorino, I love you!" said she, at the very
moment when her lips turned white, and she was clasping my hand still
in hers when death chilled them. So I killed myself that she might not
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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 Poems by Bronte Sisters: What sayst thou? "We muse once again,
Ere long, be severed by the main!"
I knew not this--I deemed no more
Thy step would err from Britain's shore.
"Duty commands!" 'Tis true--'tis just;
Thy slightest word I wholly trust,
Nor by request, nor faintest sigh,
Would I to turn thy purpose try;
But, William, hear my solemn vow--
Hear and confirm!--with thee I go.
"Distance and suffering," didst thou say?
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