The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe: wind; during which time the ship broke in pieces, the wind blowing
a little harder than before, and was no more to be seen, except the
wreck of her, and that only at low water. I spent this day in
covering and securing the goods which I had saved, that the rain
might not spoil them.
OCT. 26. - I walked about the shore almost all day, to find out a
place to fix my habitation, greatly concerned to secure myself from
any attack in the night, either from wild beasts or men. Towards
night, I fixed upon a proper place, under a rock, and marked out a
semicircle for my encampment; which I resolved to strengthen with a
work, wall, or fortification, made of double piles, lined within
Robinson Crusoe |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from The Soul of Man by Oscar Wilde: realise his own perfection as an artist, under certain conditions,
and in certain forms of Art. At first he appealed to the few: now
he has educated the many. He has created in the public both taste
and temperament. The public appreciate his artistic success
immensely. I often wonder, however, whether the public understand
that that success is entirely due to the fact that he did not
accept their standard, but realised his own. With their standard
the Lyceum would have been a sort of second-rate booth, as some of
the popular theatres in London are at present. Whether they
understand it or not the fact however remains, that taste and
temperament have, to a certain extent been created in the public,
|
The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from Salome by Oscar Wilde: vous qui etes sterile, ce n'est pas moi.
HERODE. Taisez-vous. Je vous dis que vous etes sterile. Vous ne
m'avez pas donne d'enfant, et le prophete dit que notre mariage
n'est pas un vrai mariage. Il dit que c'est un mariage incestueux,
un mariage qui apportera des malheurs . . . J'ai peur qu'il n'ait
raison. Je suis sur qu'il a raison. Mais ce n'est pas le moment de
parler de ces choses. En ce moment-ci je veux etre heureux. Au
fait je le suis. Je suis tres heureux. Il n'y a rien qui me
manque.
HERODIAS. Je suis bien contente que vous soyez de si belle humeur,
ce soir. Ce n'est pas dans vos habitudes. Mais il est tard.
|
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 A Horse's Tale by Mark Twain: praising you! out on a scout and can't live up to the honor any
better than that? Antonio, how long have you been out here in the
Plains and the Rockies?"
"More than thirteen years."
"It's a long time. Don't you ever get homesick?"
"Not till now."
"Why NOW? - after such a long cure."
"These preparations of the retiring commandant's have started it
up."
"Of course. It's natural."
"It keeps me thinking about Spain. I know the region where the
|