| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from The Cavalry General by Xenophon: by the file-leaders who know that this is their appointed post; or in
case of danger suddenly appearing in rear, then by the rear-rank men,
whose main idea is that to desert one's post is base. A want of
orderly arrangement, on the contrary, leads to confusion worse
confounded at every narrow road, at every passage of a river; and when
it comes to fighting, no one of his own free will assigns himself his
proper post in face of an enemey.
[10] Lit. "where to ride," i.e. in what formation whether on the line
of march or in action.
The above are fundamental matters not to be performed without the
active help of every trooper who would wish to be a zealous and
|
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Jude the Obscure by Thomas Hardy: But the rest you are welcome to whenever you like to send
for it."
"That I shall never do."
"You go by the six-thirty train, don't you? It is now a quarter to six."
"You ... You don't seem very sorry I am going, Richard!"
"Oh no--perhaps not."
"I like you much for how you have behaved. It is a curious thing
that directly I have begun to regard you as not my husband,
but as my old teacher, I like you. I won't be so affected as to
say I love you, because you know I don't, except as a friend.
But you do seem that to me!"
Jude the Obscure |
| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from The Sportsman by Xenophon: be taken, because in the act of running it will beat and batter its
own face and body; if by the hind-leg, the clog comes trailing along
and must needs impede the action of every limb. Sometimes, too, as it
is whirled along it will come in contact with the forked branches of
some tree, and then unless the animal can snap the rope in twain, she
is fairly caught; there ends the chase. But even so, if caught in this
way or overdone with fatigue, it were well not to come too close the
quarry, should it chance to be a stag, or he will lunge out with his
antlers and his feet; better therefore let fly your javelins from a
distance.
These animals may also be captured without aid of gin or caltrop, by
|
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 An Old Maid by Honore de Balzac: was settled that the expected de Troisville must be between forty and
forty-two years of age, a bachelor, and neither rich nor poor.
Mademoiselle Cormon beheld herself speedily Vicomtesse de Troisville.
"And to think that my uncle told me nothing! thinks of nothing!
inquires nothing! That's my uncle all over. He'd forget his own nose
if it wasn't fastened to his face."
Have you never remarked that, under circumstances such as these, old
maids become, like Richard III., keen-witted, fierce, bold,
promissory,--if one may so use the word,--and, like inebriate clerks,
no longer in awe of anything?
Immediately the town of Alencon, speedily informed from the farther
|
