| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from The Virginian by Owen Wister: I'll give you thirty dollars for the horse."
Shorty did a little professional laughing, and began to walk
toward his saddle.
"Give you thirty dollars," repeated Balaam, picking a stone up
and slinging it into the river.
"How far do yu' call it to Drybone?" Shorty remarked, stooping to
investigate the bucking-strap on his saddle--a superfluous
performance, for Pedro never bucked.
"You won't have to walk," said Balaam. "Stay all night, and I'll
send you over comfortably in the morning, when the wagon goes for
the mail."
The Virginian |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from A Modest Proposal by Jonathan Swift: certain age, who are born of parents in effect as little able to
support them, as those who demand our charity in the streets.
As to my own part, having turned my thoughts for many years, upon
this important subject, and maturely weighed the several schemes
of our projectors, I have always found them grossly mistaken in
their computation. It is true, a child just dropt from its dam,
may be supported by her milk, for a solar year, with little other
nourishment: at most not above the value of two shillings, which
the mother may certainly get, or the value in scraps, by her
lawful occupation of begging; and it is exactly at one year old
that I propose to provide for them in such a manner, as, instead
A Modest Proposal |
| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from Hellenica by Xenophon: we intend to take the lion's share, but to get rid of those who are
best able to hinder us. If you imagine, because we are thirty instead
of one, our government requires one whit the less careful guarding
than an actual tyranny, you must be very innocent."
So things went on. Day after day the list of persons put to death for
no just reason grew longer. Day after day the signs of resentment were
more significant in the groups of citizens banding together and
forecasting the character of this future constitution; till at length
Theramenes spoke again, protesting:--There was no help for it but to
associate with themselves a sufficient number of persons in the
conduct of affairs, or the oligarchy would certainly come to an end.
|
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 Secret Sharer by Joseph Conrad: "Close your port, sir--they are washing decks."
"It is closed," I said, reddening.
"Very well, sir." But he did not move from the doorway and returned
my stare in an extraordinary, equivocal manner for a time.
Then his eyes wavered, all his expression changed, and in a voice
unusually gentle, almost coaxingly:
"May I come in to take the empty cup away, sir?"
"Of course!" I turned my back on him while he popped in and out.
Then I unhooked and closed the door and even pushed the bolt.
This sort of thing could not go on very long. The cabin was as hot
as an oven, too. I took a peep at my double, and discovered
The Secret Sharer |
