| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Ivanhoe by Walter Scott: tremulous with passion, which Front-de-Buf imputed
to fear.
``I see,'' said he, ``thou dreamest already that
our men-at-arms are in thy refectory and thy ale-vaults.
But do me one cast of thy holy office, and,
come what list of others, thou shalt sleep as safe in
thy cell as a snail within his shell of proof.''
``Speak your commands,'' said Cedric, with suppressed
emotion.
``Follow me through this passage, then, that I
may dismiss thee by the postern.''
Ivanhoe |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Marie by H. Rider Haggard: Well, look out that he does not crack your bones as well as hers, and
perhaps some others also. Why does God give some men a worm in their
brains, as He does to the wildebeeste, a worm that always makes them run
the wrong way? I don't know, I am sure; but you who are very religious,
Henri Marais, might think the matter over and tell me the answer when
next we meet. Well, this girl of yours will soon be of age, and then,
as I am commandant down yonder where she is going, I'll see she marries
the man she wants, whatever you say, Henri Marais. Heaven above us! I
only wish it were my daughter he was in love with. A fellow who can
shoot to such good purpose might have the lot of them"; and uttering one
of his great, hearty laughs, he walked off to his horse.
Marie |
| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from In a German Pension by Katherine Mansfield: of black bread out of the table drawer. Don't guzzle it yourself or I'll
know."
The Frau staggered across the room, flung herself on to her bed, drawing
the pink bolster round her shoulders.
It was almost dark in the kitchen. She laid the baby on the wooden settle,
covering him with a shawl, then poured the coffee from the earthenware jug
into the saucepan, and set it on the spirit lamp to boil.
"I'm sleepy," nodded the Child-Who-Was-Tired, kneeling on the floor and
splitting the damp pine logs into little chips. "That's why I'm not
awake."
The oven took a long time to light. Perhaps it was cold, like herself, and
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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 Finished by H. Rider Haggard: At this bold speech some of the Councillors started up with
threatening gestures. Cetewayo waved them back and answered
quietly, "Perhaps it was the Queen of Heaven who stood on yonder
rock who made me mad. Or perhaps she made me wise, as being the
Spirit of our people she should surely do. That is a question
which the future will decide, and if ever we should meet after it
is decided, we will talk it over. Now, hamba gachle! (go in
peace)."
"I hear the king and I will go, but first I would speak with
Zikali."
"Then, White Man, you must wait till this war is finished or till
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