| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from The Odyssey by Homer: nor wouldst thou hound on Telemachus that is already
angered, expecting a gift for thy house, if perchance he
may vouchsafe thee aught. But now will I speak out, and my
word shall surely be accomplished. If thou that knowest
much lore from of old, shalt beguile with words a younger
man, and rouse him to indignation, first it shall be a
great grief to him:--and yet he can count on no aid from
these who hear him;--while upon thee, old man, we will lay
a fine, that thou mayest pay it and chafe at heart, and
sore pain shall be thine. And I myself will give a word of
counsel to Telemachus in presence of you all. Let him
The Odyssey |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Caesar's Commentaries in Latin by Julius Caesar: Eodem tempore equites nostri levisque armaturae pedites, qui cum iis
una fuerant, quos primo hostium impetu pulsos dixeram, cum se in castra
reciperent, adversis hostibus occurrebant ac rursus aliam in partem fugam
petebant; et calones, qui ab decumana porta ac summo iugo collis nostros
victores flumen transire conspexerant, praedandi causa egressi, cum
respexissent et hostes in nostris castris versari vidissent, praecipites
fugae sese mandabant. Simul eorum qui cum impedimentis veniebant clamor
fremitusque oriebatur, aliique aliam in partem perterriti ferebantur.
Quibus omnibus rebus permoti equites Treveri, quorum inter Gallos virtutis
opinio est singularis, qui auxilii causa a civitate missi ad Caesarem
venerant, cum multitudine hostium castra [nostra] compleri, legiones premi
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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 Call of Cthulhu by H. P. Lovecraft: captured members, absolutely nothing was to be discovered; hence
the anxiety of the police for any antiquarian lore which might
help them to place the frightful symbol, and through it track
down the cult to its fountain-head.
Inspector Legrasse was scarcely
prepared for the sensation which his offering created. One sight
of the thing had been enough to throw the assembled men of science
into a state of tense excitement, and they lost no time in crowding
around him to gaze at the diminutive figure whose utter strangeness
and air of genuinely abysmal antiquity hinted so potently at unopened
and archaic vistas. No recognised school of sculpture had animated
Call of Cthulhu |
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 School For Scandal by Richard Brinsley Sheridan: chose to contradict the Report.
SIR OLIVER. What!--has he never transmitted--you--Bullion--Rupees--
Pagodas!
SURFACE. O Dear Sir--Nothing of the kind--no--no--a few Presents
now and then--china, shawls, congo Tea, Avadavats--and indian
Crackers--little more, believe me.
SIR OLIVER. Here's Gratitude for twelve thousand pounds!--
Avadavats and indian Crackers.
SURFACE. Then my dear--Sir--you have heard, I doubt not, of the
extravagance of my Brother--Sir--there are very few would credit
what I have done for that unfortunate young man.
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