| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from Laches by Plato: Socrates. I had very great hopes that you would have been enlightened by
the wisdom of Damon.
NICIAS: I perceive, Laches, that you think nothing of having displayed
your ignorance of the nature of courage, but you look only to see whether I
have not made a similar display; and if we are both equally ignorant of the
things which a man who is good for anything should know, that, I suppose,
will be of no consequence. You certainly appear to me very like the rest
of the world, looking at your neighbour and not at yourself. I am of
opinion that enough has been said on the subject which we have been
discussing; and if anything has been imperfectly said, that may be
hereafter corrected by the help of Damon, whom you think to laugh down,
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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 Barlaam and Ioasaph by St. John of Damascus: round everywhere and brought him again unto the king, the king
asked, which of all these sights had pleased him most. "What,"
answered the boy, "but the Devils that deceive men? Nothing that
I have seen to-day hath fired my heart with such love as these."
The king was astonished at the saying of the boy, to think how
masterful a thing the love of women is. Therefore think not to
subdue thy son in any other way than this."
The king heard this tale gladly; and there were brought before
him some chosen damsels, young and exceeding beautiful. These he
bedizened with dazzling ornaments and trained in all winsome
ways: and then he turned out of the palace all his son's squires
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