| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Prufrock/Other Observations by T. S. Eliot: They all were sure our feelings would relate
So closely! I myself can hardly understand.
We must leave it now to fate.
You will write, at any rate.
Perhaps it is not too late
shall sit here, serving tea to friends."
And I must borrow every changing
find expression ... dance, dance
Like a dancing bear,
Cry like a parrot, chatter like an ape.
Let us take the air, in a tobacco trance--
Prufrock/Other Observations |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Herland by Charlotte Gilman: evening rather shortly.
"Our young women will be glad to meet you," Somel suggested,
"to talk with you more personally, if you are willing?"
Willing! We were impatient and said as much, at which I saw
a flickering little smile cross Moadine's face. Even then, with all
those eager young things waiting to talk to us, a sudden question
crossed my mind: "What was their point of view? What did they
think of us?" We learned that later.
Terry plunged in among those young creatures with a sort of
rapture, somewhat as a glad swimmer takes to the sea. Jeff, with
a rapt look on his high-bred face, approached as to a sacrament.
Herland |
| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from The Black Dwarf by Walter Scott: carrying on betwixt them was a joint ejaculation, "Lord guide us,
an this weather last, what will come o' the lambs!" The hint was
sufficient for my Landlord, who, advancing to take the horse of
the principal person, and holding him by the reins as he
dismounted, while his ostler rendered the same service to the
attendant, welcomed the stranger to Gandercleugh, and, in the
same breath, enquired, "What news from the south hielands?"
"News?" said the farmer, "bad eneugh news, I think;--an we can
carry through the yowes, it will be a' we can do; we maun e'en
leave the lambs to the Black Dwarfs care."
"Ay, ay," subjoined the old shepherd (for such he was), shaking
|
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 Macbeth by William Shakespeare: Were on the Quarry of these murther'd Deere
To adde the death of you
Malc. Mercifull Heauen:
What man, ne're pull your hat vpon your browes:
Giue sorrow words; the griefe that do's not speake,
Whispers the o're-fraught heart, and bids it breake
Macd. My Children too?
Ro. Wife, Children, Seruants, all that could be found
Macd. And I must be from thence? My wife kil'd too?
Rosse. I haue said
Malc. Be comforted.
Macbeth |
