| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Moby Dick by Herman Melville: embraced by the whole multitude, must have contained at least two or
three square miles. At any rate--though indeed such a test at such a
time might be deceptive--spoutings might be discovered from our low
boat that seemed playing up almost from the rim of the horizon. I
mention this circumstance, because, as if the cows and calves had
been purposely locked up in this innermost fold; and as if the wide
extent of the herd had hitherto prevented them from learning the
precise cause of its stopping; or, possibly, being so young,
unsophisticated, and every way innocent and inexperienced; however it
may have been, these smaller whales--now and then visiting our
becalmed boat from the margin of the lake--evinced a wondrous
Moby Dick |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Lay Morals by Robert Louis Stevenson: which is a little different from that taught in the present
day. I am addressing the middle and the upper classes; those
who have already been fostered and prepared for life at some
expense; those who have some choice before them, and can pick
professions; and above all, those who are what is called
independent, and need do nothing unless pushed by honour or
ambition. In this particular the poor are happy; among them,
when a lad comes to his strength, he must take the work that
offers, and can take it with an easy conscience. But in the
richer classes the question is complicated by the number of
opportunities and a variety of considerations. Here, then,
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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 Nana, Miller's Daughter, Captain Burle, Death of Olivier Becaille by Emile Zola: calling on Nana, demanding Nana in one of those accesses of silly
facetiousness and sheer animalism which pass over mobs.
But above all the din the bell that precedes the rise of the curtain
became audible. "They've rung; they've rung!" The rumor reached
the boulevard, and thereupon followed a stampede, everyone wanting
to pass in, while the servants of the theater increased their
forces. Mignon, with an anxious air, at last got hold of Steiner
again, the latter not having been to see Rose's costume. At the
very first tinkle of the bell La Faloise had cloven a way through
the crowd, pulling Fauchery with him, so as not to miss the opening
scene. But all this eagerness on the part of the public irritated
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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 The Dream-Quest of Unknown Kadath by H. P. Lovecraft: colour and high experience of life devoid of its chains, and conventions,
and stupidities. But now that he was come into that city and that
land, and was the king thereof, he found the freedom and the vividness
all too soon worn out, and monotonous for want of linkage with
anything firm in his feelings and memories. He was a king in Ooth-Nargai,
but found no meaning therein, and drooped always for the old familiar
things of England that had shaped his youth. All his kingdom would
he give for the sound of Cornish church bells over the downs,
and all the thousand minarets of Celephais for the steep homely
roofs of the village near his home. So he told his guest that
the unknown sunset city might not hold quite that content he sought,
The Dream-Quest of Unknown Kadath |
