| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from King Lear by William Shakespeare: Over her passion, who, most rebel-like,
Sought to be king o'er her.
Kent. O, then it mov'd her?
Gent. Not to a rage. Patience and sorrow strove
Who should express her goodliest. You have seen
Sunshine and rain at once: her smiles and tears
Were like, a better way. Those happy smilets
That play'd on her ripe lip seem'd not to know
What guests were in her eyes, which parted thence
As pearls from diamonds dropp'd. In brief,
Sorrow would be a rarity most belov'd,
King Lear |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Kenilworth by Walter Scott: "Are you a fool, friend?" said the Countess sharply; "or do you
think, because I have good-naturedly purchased your trumpery
goods at your roguish prices, that you may put any gullery you
will on me? Who ever heard that affections of the heart were
cured by medicines given to the body?"
"Under your honourable favour," said Wayland, "I am an honest
man, and I have sold my goods at an honest price. As to this
most precious medicine, when I told its qualities, I asked you
not to purchase it, so why should I lie to you? I say not it
will cure a rooted affection of the mind, which only God and time
can do; but I say that this restorative relieves the black
Kenilworth |
