| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from The Koran: Who, if we stablish them in the earth, are steadfast in prayer,
and give alms, and bid what is right, and forbid what is wrong; and
God's is the future of affairs.
But if they call thee liar, the people of Noah called him liar
before them, as did 'Ad and Thamud, and the people of Abraham, and the
people of Lot, and the fellows of Midian; and Moses was called a
liar too: but I let the misbelievers range at large, and then I seized
on them, and how great was the change!
And how many a city have we destroyed while it yet did wrong, and it
was turned over on its roofs, and (how many) a deserted well and lofty
palace!
The Koran |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Tour Through Eastern Counties of England by Daniel Defoe: into the town.
The very same night they began to break ground, and particularly to
raise a fort between Colchester and Lexden, to cover the general's
quarter from the sallies from the town; for the Royalists having a
good body of horse, gave them no rest, but scoured the fields every
day, and falling all that were found straggling from their posts,
and by this means killed a great many.
The 17th, Sir Charles Lucas having been out with 1,200 horse, and
detaching parties toward the seaside, and towards Harwich, they
brought in a very great quantity of provisions, and abundance of
sheep and black cattle sufficient for the supply of the town for 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 Kenilworth by Walter Scott: parchment, drawn tight across the brow of a fleshless skull.
"And tell me," said Tressilian, "why you use me thus, thou
mischievous imp? or what your meaning is by telling me so absurd
a legend as you wished but now to put on me? Or rather show me,
in good earnest, this smith's forge, and I will give thee what
will buy thee apples through the whole winter."
"Were you to give me an orchard of apples," said Dickie Sludge,
"I can guide thee no better than I have done. Lay down the
silver token on the flat stone--whistle three times--then come
sit down on the western side of the thicket of gorse. I will sit
by you, and give you free leave to wring my head off, unless you
Kenilworth |
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 Duchess of Padua by Oscar Wilde: Her husband sold your father, and the wife
Would sell the son in turn.
GUIDO
Lord Moranzone,
I alone did this thing: be satisfied,
My father is avenged.
LORD JUSTICE
Doth he confess?
GUIDO
My lord, I do confess
That foul unnatural murder has been done.
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