| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from When the World Shook by H. Rider Haggard: learned? I asked my Eastern friends, and they talked vaguely of
long ascetic preparation, of years upon years of learning, from
whom I could not quite discover. I was sure it could not be from
them, because clearly they did not know; they only passed on what
they had heard elsewhere, when or how they either could not or
would not explain. So at length I gave it up, having satisfied
myself that all this was but an effort of Oriental imagination
called into life by the sweet influences of the Eastern stars.
I gave it up and went away, thinking that I should forget. But
I did not forget. I was quick with a new hope, or at any rate
with a new aspiration, and that secret child of holy desire grew
When the World Shook |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from The Dunwich Horror by H. P. Lovecraft: shape. Haff on 'em's clean gone, an' nigh haff o' them that's
left is sucked most dry o' blood, with sores on 'em like they's
ben on Whateleys cattle ever senct Lavinny's black brat was born.
Seth hes gone aout naow to look at 'em, though I'll vaow he won't
keer ter git very nigh Wizard Whateley's! Cha'ncey didn't look
keerful ter see whar the big matted-daown swath led arter it leff
the pasturage, but he says he thinks it p'inted towards the glen
rud to the village.
'I tell ye, Mis' Corey, they's suthin' abroad
as hadn't orter be abroad, an' I for one think that black Wilbur
Whateley, as come to the bad end he deserved, is at the bottom
The Dunwich Horror |
| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from Dust by Mr. And Mrs. Haldeman-Julius: and Martin went on as before--working as hard as ever and making
money even faster, while peace settled over their household, a
peace so profound that, in her more intuitive moments, Bill's
mother felt in it an ominous quality.
The storm broke with the summer vacation and the boy's
point-blank refusal to return to farm work. His father laid down
an ultimatum: until he came home he should not have a cent even
from his mother, and home he should not come, at all, until he
was willing to carry his share of the farm work willingly, and
without further argument. "You see," he pointed out to his wife,
"that's the thanks I get for managing along without him this
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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 The Deputy of Arcis by Honore de Balzac: daughter of Pere Goriot.
As the colonel wished to retain a footing in the house he now entered
for the first time, he talked about his wife.
"She lived," he said, "in the old English fashion, in her /home/; but
he should be most glad to bring her out of her retreat in order to
present her to Madame de Rastignac if the latter would graciously
consent."
"Now," said the minister, dropping the arm of Emile Blondet, with whom
he had been conversing, "let us go into the garden,"--adding, as soon
as they were alone, "We want no ears about us in this matter."
"Maxime came to see me, as I told you," said the colonel, "on his
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