| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Mansfield Park by Jane Austen: of fortune at once with horses and grooms at his command.
In one respect it was better, as it gave him the means
of conferring a kindness where he wished to oblige.
With spirits, courage, and curiosity up to anything,
William expressed an inclination to hunt; and Crawford could
mount him without the slightest inconvenience to himself,
and with only some scruples to obviate in Sir Thomas,
who knew better than his nephew the value of such a loan,
and some alarms to reason away in Fanny. She feared
for William; by no means convinced by all that he could
relate of his own horsemanship in various countries,
Mansfield Park |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Salammbo by Gustave Flaubert: he would soon have to make a fresh beginning, the Mercenaries being
further off. Again, he could disembark at Cape Grapes and march thence
upon one of the towns. But he would then find himself between the two
armies, an indiscretion which he could not commit with his scanty
forces. Accordingly he must proceed along the base of Mount Ariana,
then turn to the left to avoid the mouths of the Macaras, and come
straight to the bridge. It was there that Matho expected him.
At night he used to inspect the pioneers by torch-light. He would
hasten to Hippo-Zarytus or to the works on the mountains, would come
back again, would never rest. Spendius envied his energy; but in the
management of spies, the choice of sentries, the working of the
Salammbo |
