| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Royalty Restored/London Under Charles II by J. Fitzgerald Molloy: succeeded in winning the affections of such notable women as the
poor Princess of Orange and my Lady Castlemaine, and had besides
conducted a series of minor intrigues with various ladies
connected with the court, was somewhat piqued that Lady
Shrewsbury had accepted my Lord Arran's attentions without
encouraging his. For Henry Jermyn, by virtue of the fascinations
he exercised and the consequent reputation he enjoyed, expected
to be wooed by such women as desired his love.
But when, later on, Lord Arran's devotion to the lady was
succeeded by that of Thomas Howard, brother to the Earl of
Carlisle, and captain of the guards, Jermyn was thoroughly
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The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Symposium by Plato: this is the reason why, in the first place, a hasty attachment is held to
be dishonourable, because time is the true test of this as of most other
things; and secondly there is a dishonour in being overcome by the love of
money, or of wealth, or of political power, whether a man is frightened
into surrender by the loss of them, or, having experienced the benefits of
money and political corruption, is unable to rise above the seductions of
them. For none of these things are of a permanent or lasting nature; not
to mention that no generous friendship ever sprang from them. There
remains, then, only one way of honourable attachment which custom allows in
the beloved, and this is the way of virtue; for as we admitted that any
service which the lover does to him is not to be accounted flattery or a
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| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from A Footnote to History by Robert Louis Stevenson: Laulii, it raised a convulsion in the camp of Tamasese. On the
13th Brandeis addressed to Knappe his famous and fatal letter. I
may not describe it as a letter of burning words, but it is plainly
dictated by a burning heart. Tamasese and his chiefs, he
announces, are now sick of the business, and ready to make peace
with Mataafa. They began the war relying upon German help; they
now see and say that "E FAAALO SIAMANI I PERITANIA MA AMERICA, that
Germany is subservient to England and the States." It is grimly
given to be understood that the despatch is an ultimatum, and a
last chance is being offered for the recreant ally to fulfil her
pledge. To make it more plain, the document goes on with a kind of
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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 Salammbo by Gustave Flaubert: She leaped down quickly from her horse. She opened her ample cloak and
spreading out her arms displayed the zaimph.
The leathern tent, which was raised at the corners, left visible the
entire circuit of the mountain with its thronging soldiers, and as it
was in the centre Salammbo could be seen on all sides. An immense
shouting burst forth, a long cry of triumph and hope. Those who were
marching stopped; the dying leaned on their elbows and turned round to
bless her. All the Barbarians knew now that she had recovered the
zaimph; they saw her or believed that they saw her from a distance;
and other cries, but those of rage and vengeance, resounded in spite
of the plaudits of the Carthaginians. Thus did the five armies in
Salammbo |
