| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Heroes by Charles Kingsley: which he speaks, truly it fits all comers, yet none ever rose
alive off it save me.'
'Why?' asked Theseus, astonished.
'Because, if a man be too tall for it, he lops his limbs till
they be short enough, and if he be too short, he stretches
his limbs till they be long enough: but me only he spared,
seven weary years agone; for I alone of all fitted his bed
exactly, so he spared me, and made me his slave. And once I
was a wealthy merchant, and dwelt in brazen-gated Thebes; but
now I hew wood and draw water for him, the torment of all
mortal men.'
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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 Europeans by Henry James: "Endure it a little longer. Come to my wedding."
"Thank you; that 's your affair. My affairs are elsewhere."
"Where are you going?"
"To Germany--by the first ship."
"You have decided not to marry Mr. Acton?"
"I have refused him," said Eugenia.
Her brother looked at her in silence. "I am sorry," he rejoined at last.
"But I was very discreet, as you asked me to be. I said nothing. "
"Please continue, then, not to allude to the matter," said Eugenia.
Felix inclined himself gravely. "You shall be obeyed.
But your position in Germany?" he pursued.
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