| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from The Symposium by Xenophon: soul, but to my lovely person.
[16] Or, "tear and scratch me."
And then, turning to Callias: And that you, Callias, do love
Autolycus, this whole city knows and half the world besides,[17] if I
am not mistaken; and the reason is that you are both sons of famous
fathers, and yourselves illustrious. For my part I have ever admired
your nature, but now much more so, when I see that you are in love
with one who does not wanton in luxury or languish in effeminacy,[18]
but who displays to all his strength, his hardihood, his courage, and
sobriety of soul. To be enamoured of such qualities as these is a
proof itself of a true lover's nature.
The Symposium |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Seraphita by Honore de Balzac: universe is to Him what an unfruitful seed is to Nature. Approaching
the globe, this Exterminating Angel, borne by a comet, causes the
planet to turn upon its axis, and the lands lately covered by the seas
reappear, adorned in freshness and obedient to the laws proclaimed in
Genesis; the Word of God is once more powerful on this new earth,
which everywhere exhibits the effects of terrestrial waters and
celestial flames. The light brought by the Angel from On High, causes
the sun to pale. 'Then,' says Isaiah, (xix. 20) 'men will hide in the
clefts of the rock and roll themselves in the dust of the earth.'
'They will cry to the mountains' (Revelation), 'Fall on us! and to the
seas, Swallow us up! Hide us from the face of Him that sitteth on the
Seraphita |
| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from Cousin Pons by Honore de Balzac: shall take a nurse."
Pons and Schmucke exchanged glances in dismay.
"Oh! you may look at each other like actors. I mean it. I shall ask
Dr. Poulain to find a nurse for you. And now we will settle accounts.
You shall pay me back the money that I have spent on you, and that I
would never have asked you for, I that have gone to M. Pillerault to
borrow another five hundred francs of him--"
"It ees his illness!" cried Schmucke--he sprang to Mme. Cibot and put
an arm round her waist--"haf batience."
"As for you, you are an angel, I could kiss the ground you tread
upon," said she. "But M. Pons never liked me, he always hated me.
|
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 Mistress Wilding by Rafael Sabatini: "By morning?" cried Grey, who, with the others, watched Mr. Newlington
what time they all wondered at Mr. Wilding's question and the manner
of it.
"You knew that I march to-night," Monmouth reproached the merchant.
"And it was to receive the money that you invited His Majesty to do you
the honours of supping with you here," put in Wade, frowning darkly.
The merchant's wife and daughter stood beside him watching him, and
plainly uneasy. Before he could make any reply, Mr. Wilding spoke
again.
"The circumstance that he has not the money by him is a little odd - or
would be were it not for what has happened. I would submit, Your
|
