| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Plutarch's Lives by A. H. Clough: mention those unhallowed frightful excesses among impure and
prostituted women, to which, at the very close of life, his lewd
nature clung, and in them gasped out, as it were, its last;
these, in the opinion of all reasonable men, being themselves
the extremest punishment, and equal to many deaths. But it was
felt like a grievance by people in general that he continued yet
to see the light of day, who had been the occasion of the loss
of it to so many persons, and such persons, as had died by his
means. Wherefore Otho ordered him to be sent for, just as he
was contriving his escape by means of some vessels that lay
ready for him on the coast near where he lived, in the
|
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery: in the fashion she did, did not help her much, as she
reflected pessimistically. Yet she was undeniably glad that
they were in the same class; the old rivalry could still be
carried on, and Anne would hardly have known what to do
if it had been lacking.
"I wouldn't feel comfortable without it," she thought.
"Gilbert looks awfully determined. I suppose he's making
up his mind, here and now, to win the medal. What a
splendid chin he has! I never noticed it before. I do wish
Jane and Ruby had gone in for First Class, too. I suppose I
won't feel so much like a cat in a strange garret when I get
Anne of Green Gables |
| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from A Pair of Blue Eyes by Thomas Hardy: and disappeared as she had done before.
The rope was trailing by Knight's shoulders. In a few moments it
twitched three times.
He waited yet a second or two, then laid hold.
The incline of this upper portion of the precipice, to the length
only of a few feet, useless to a climber empty-handed, was
invaluable now. Not more than half his weight depended entirely
on the linen rope. Half a dozen extensions of the arms,
alternating with half a dozen seizures of the rope with his feet,
brought him up to the level of the soil.
He was saved, and by Elfride.
A Pair of Blue Eyes |
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 Arrow of Gold by Joseph Conrad: were humouring a lunatic.
"I think I had better tell you he is a Spaniard - that he seems to
know you from early days. . . ." I glanced at her face, it was
extremely tense, apprehensive. For myself I had no longer any
doubt as to the man and I hoped she would reach the correct
conclusion herself. But I believe she was too distracted and
worried to think consecutively. She only seemed to feel some
terror in the air. In very pity I bent down and whispered
carefully near her ear, "His name is Ortega."
I expected some effect from that name but I never expected what
happened. With the sudden, free, spontaneous agility of a young
The Arrow of Gold |
