| 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: disorderly, wandering march, besides the drinking part of it, was
accompanied with all the sportiveness and insolence of bacchanals,
as much as if the god himself had been there to countenance and
lead the procession. As soon as he came to the royal palace of
Gedrosia, he again refreshed and feasted his army; and one day
after he had drunk pretty hard, it is said, he went to see a prize
of dancing contended for, in which his favorite Bagoas, having
gained the victory, crossed the theater in his dancing habit, and
sat down close by him, which so pleased the Macedonians, that they
made loud acclamations for him to kiss Bagoas, and never stopped
clapping their hands and shouting till Alexander put his arms
|
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson: in, he was shocked at the change which had taken place in the
doctor's appearance. He had his death-warrant written legibly
upon his face. The rosy man had grown pale; his flesh had fallen
away; he was visibly balder and older; and yet it was not so much
these tokens of a swift physical decay that arrested the lawyer's
notice, as a look in the eye and quality of manner that seemed to
testify to some deep-seated terror of the mind. It was unlikely
that the doctor should fear death; and yet that was what Utterson
was tempted to suspect. "Yes," he thought; he is a doctor, he
must know his own state and that his days are counted; and the
knowledge is more than he can bear." And yet when Utterson
The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde |
| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from Westward Ho! by Charles Kingsley: Matthew, and then glides on to re-load; but not to return. For not
a pistol shot to leeward, worried by three or four small craft,
lies an immense galleon; and on her poop--can he believe his eyes
for joy?--the maiden and the wheel which he has sought so long!
"There he is!" shouts Amyas, springing to the starboard side of the
ship. The men, too, have already caught sight of that hated sign;
a cheer of fury bursts from every throat.
"Steady, men!" says Amyas, in a suppressed voice. "Not a shot!
Re-load, and be ready; I must speak with him first;" and silent as
the grave, amid the infernal din, the Vengeance glides up to the
Spaniard's quarter.
|
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 Sentimental Journey by Laurence Sterne: me change my lodgings.
A man who values a good night's rest will not lie down with enmity
in his heart, if he can help it. - So I bid La Fleur tell the
master of the hotel, that I was sorry on my side for the occasion I
had given him; - and you may tell him, if you will, La Fleur, added
I, that if the young woman should call again, I shall not see her.
This was a sacrifice not to him, but myself, having resolved, after
so narrow an escape, to run no more risks, but to leave Paris, if
it was possible, with all the virtue I enter'd it.
C'EST DEROGER E NOBLESSE, MONSIEUR, said La Fleur, making me a bow
down to the ground as he said it. - ET ENCORE, MONSIEUR, said he,
|
