| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from The Memorabilia by Xenophon: apprehension of a storm, or an enemy in sight, the scene changes; not
only is each word of command obeyed, but there is a hush of silent
expectation; the mariners wait to catch the next signal like an
orchestra with eyes upon the leader.
Per. But indeed, given that now is the opportunity to take obedience
at the flood, it is high time also to explain by what means we are to
rekindle in the hearts of our countrymen[8] the old fires--the
passionate longing for antique valour, for the glory and the wellbeing
of the days of old.
[8] Reading {anerasthenai}, Schneider's emendation of the vulg.
{aneristhenai}.
The Memorabilia |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Anthem by Ayn Rand: for we bring you a gift such as had never
been brought to men. Listen to us, for we
hold the future of mankind in our hands."
Then they listened.
We placed our glass box upon the table
before them. We spoke of it, and of our
long quest, and of our tunnel, and of our
escape from the Palace of Corrective Detention.
Not a hand moved in that hall, as we spoke,
nor an eye. Then we put the wires to the box,
and they all bent forward and sat still, watching.
Anthem |
| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from Whirligigs by O. Henry: Octavia rippled out a laugh, and then became properly
grave.
"De mortuis nil, auntie -- not even the rest of it. The
dear old colonel -- what a gold brick he was, after all!
I paid for my bargain fairly -- I'm all here, am I not?
-- items: eyes, fingers, toes, youth, old family, unques-
tionable position in society as called for in the contract
no wild-cat stock here." Octavia picked up the
morning paper from the floor. "But I'm not going to
'squeal' -- isn't that what they call it when you rail at
Fortune because you've, lost the game?" She turned
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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 Intentions by Oscar Wilde: There are other cases I might quote, but this one is quite
sufficient for my purpose; and it is evident from it at any rate
that, in mounting a play in the accurate costume of the time,
according to the best authorities, we are carrying out
Shakespeare's own wishes and method.
Even if it were not so, there is no more reason that we should
continue any imperfections which may be supposed to have
characterised Shakespeare's stage mounting than that we should have
Juliet played by a young man, or give up the advantage of
changeable scenery. A great work of dramatic art should not merely
be made expressive of modern passion by means of the actor, but
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