| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Herodias by Gustave Flaubert: plump and white as that of a woman. Crouched upon a rug near him, with
legs crossed was a pretty white boy, upon whose face shone a perpetual
smile. Aulus had found him somewhere among the kitchens and had taken
a violent fancy to him. He had made the child one of his suite, but as
he never could remember his protege's Chaldean name, called him simply
"the Asiatic." From time to time the little fellow sprang up and
played about the dining-table, and his antics appeared to amuse the
guests.
At one side of the tetrarch's pavilion were the tables at which were
seated his priests and officers; also a number of persons from
Jerusalem, and the more important men from the Grecian cities. At the
Herodias |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from An International Episode by Henry James: "Perhaps next May you won't care so much about London.
Mr. Beaumont and I," she went on, smiling at her companion,
"have had a tremendous discussion. We don't agree about anything.
It's perfectly delightful."
"Oh, I say, Percy!" exclaimed Lord Lambeth.
"I disagree," said Beaumont, stroking down his back hair,
"even to the point of not thinking it delightful."
"Oh, I say!" cried Lord Lambeth again.
"I don't see anything delightful in my disagreeing with Mrs. Westgate,"
said Percy Beaumont.
"Well, I do!" Mrs. Westgate declared; and she turned to her sister.
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