| 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: Toil in his service were easier for me than rest from labour: danger
incurred in his behalf far sweeter than security of days. So that if
you, Callias, may boast of making men more just and upright, to me
belongs by juster right than yours to train mankind to every
excellence. We are the true inspirers[26] who infuse some subtle fire
into amorous souls, we beauties, and thereby raise them to new heights
of being; we render them more liberal in the pursuit of wealth; we
give them a zest for toil that mocks at danger, and enables them where
honour the fair vision leads, to follow.[27] We fill their souls with
deeper modesty, a self-constraint more staunch; about the things they
care for most, there floats a halo of protecting awe.[28] Fools and
The Symposium |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Father Goriot by Honore de Balzac: squeamish phraseology of the epoch. Leeches must be applied to
the wasted body, the poultices and hot foot-baths, and other
details of the treatment required the physical strength and
devotion of the two young men. Mme. de Restaud did not come; but
she sent a messenger for the money.
"I expected she would come herself; but it would have been a pity
for her to come, she would have been anxious about me," said the
father, and to all appearances he was well content.
At seven o'clock that evening Therese came with a letter from
Delphine.
"What are you doing, dear friend? I have been loved for a very
Father Goriot |
| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from A Footnote to History by Robert Louis Stevenson: still to be king, Mataafa to accept a high executive office
comparable to that of our own prime minister, and the two
governments to coalesce. Intractable Manono was a party. Malie
was said to view the proposal with resignation, if not relief.
Peace was thought secure. The night before the king was to receive
Lauati, I met one of his company, - the family chief, Iina, - and
we shook hands over the unexpected issue of our troubles. What no
one dreamed was that Laupepa would refuse. And he did. He refused
undisputed royalty for himself and peace for these unhappy islands;
and the two whites on Mulinuu rightly or wrongly got the blame of
it.
|
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 Statesman by Plato: If having boundless leisure, and the power of discoursing not only with one
another but with the animals, they had employed these advantages with a
view to philosophy, gathering from every nature some addition to their
store of knowledge;--or again, if they had merely eaten and drunk, and told
stories to one another, and to the beasts;--in either case, I say, there
would be no difficulty in answering the question. But as nobody knows
which they did, the question must remain unanswered. And here is the point
of my tale. In the fulness of time, when the earthborn men had all passed
away, the ruler of the universe let go the helm, and became a spectator;
and destiny and natural impulse swayed the world. At the same instant all
the inferior deities gave up their hold; the whole universe rebounded, and
Statesman |
