| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from The Tragedy of Pudd'nhead Wilson by Mark Twain: concerning that matter, and when she found it, she said to the blond twin,
who was now doing the biographies in his turn while the brunette one rested:
"If it ain't asking what I ought not to ask, Mr. Angelo, how did you
come to be so friendless and in such trouble when you were little?
Do you mind telling? But don't, if you do."
"Oh, we don't mind it at all, madam; in our case it was merely misfortune,
and nobody's fault. Our parents were well to do, there in Italy,
and we were their only child. We were of the old Florentine nobility"--
Rowena's heart gave a great bound, her nostrils expanded,
and a fine light played in her eyes--"and when the war broke out,
my father was on the losing side and had to fly for his life.
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The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from The Ancient Regime by Charles Kingsley: we used to call them a generation since:
"A dumb generation--their voice only an inarticulate cry.
Spokesman, in the king's council, in the world's forum, they have
none that finds credence. At rare intervals (as now, in 1775) they
will fling down their hoes, and hammers; and, to the astonishment of
mankind, flock hither and thither, dangerous, aimless, get the
length even of Versailles. Turgot is altering the corn trade,
abrogating the absurdest corn laws; there is dearth, real, or were
it even factitious, an indubitable scarcity of broad. And so, on
the 2nd day of May, 1775, these waste multitudes do here, at
Versailles chateau, in widespread wretchedness, in sallow faces,
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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 Kidnapped by Robert Louis Stevenson: term of an agreement -- these and the like questions he kept
asking at long intervals, while he thoughtfully rolled his wine
upon his tongue. When I had answered all of them, seemingly to
his contentment, he fell into a still deeper muse, even the
claret being now forgotten. Then he got a sheet of paper and a
pencil, and set to work writing and weighing every word; and at
last touched a bell and had his clerk into the chamber.
"Torrance," said he, "I must have this written out fair against
to-night; and when it is done, you will be so kind as put on your
hat and be ready to come along with this gentleman and me, for
you will probably be wanted as a witness."
Kidnapped |
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 Koran: injured the other; judge then between us with the truth and be not
partial, but guide us to a level way. Verily, this is my brother: he
had ninety-nine ewes and I had one ewe; and he said, "Give her over to
my charge;" and he overcame me in the discourse.' Said he, 'He wronged
thee in asking for thy ewe in addition to his own ewes. Verily, many
associates do injure one another, except those who believe and do what
is right, and very few are they!'
And he thought that we were trying him; and he asked pardon of his
Lord and fell down bowing, and did turn; and we pardoned him; for,
verily, he has a near approach to us and an excellent resort.
O David! verily, we have made thee a vicegerent, judge then
The Koran |
