| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Rezanov by Gertrude Atherton: lanterns, of every color and shade, the waving of
fans, the incessant chattering, and the more har-
monious noise that rose unceasingly above, made up
a scene as brilliant as it was juvenile and absurd.
In the daytime it was more interesting, with the
background of hills cultivated to their crests in the
form of terraces, varied with rice fields, hamlets,
groves, and paper villas encircled with little gardens
as glowing and various of color as the night lan-
terns. When, at last, I was graciously permitted to
have a residence on a point of land called Megasaki,
Rezanov |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Sons and Lovers by D. H. Lawrence: and yellow, and he knew it well, but was secretly ashamed of the uniform.
Annie cried her eyes up in the kitchen, on leaving her mother.
Mrs. Morel cried a little, then patted her on the back and said:
"But don't cry, child, he'll be good to you."
Morel stamped and said she was a fool to go and tie herself up.
Leonard looked white and overwrought. Mrs. Morel said to him:
"I s'll trust her to you, my lad, and hold you responsible
for her."
"You can," he said, nearly dead with the ordeal. And it
was all over.
When Morel and Arthur were in bed, Paul sat talking, as he
Sons and Lovers |
| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from The Koran: His grace, count that it is best for them;- nay, it is worse for them.
What they have been niggard of shall be a collar round their necks
upon the resurrection day. And God's is the heritage of the heavens
and the earth, and God of what ye do is well aware.
God heard the speech of those who said, 'Verily, God is poor and
we are rich.' We will write down what they said, and how they killed
the prophets undeservedly, and say, 'Taste ye the torment of burning;'
this shall they suffer for what their hands have sent on before;- for,
verily, God is no unjust one to His servants,- who say, 'Verily, God
has covenanted with us that we should not believe in an apostle
until he gives us a sacrifice which fire devours.'
The Koran |
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 Rise and Fall of Cesar Birotteau by Honore de Balzac: Birotteau the satisfaction with which it renders such a judgment.
Clerk, call the next case."
Birotteau, clothed with the caftan of honor which the speech of the
illustrious /procureur-general/ had cast about him, stood dumb with
joy as he listened to the solemn words of the president, which
betrayed the quiverings of a heart beneath the impassibility of human
justice. He was unable to stir from his place before the bar, and
seemed for a moment nailed there, gazing at the judges with a
wondering air, as though they were angels opening to him the gates of
social life. His uncle took him by the arm and led him from the hall.
Cesar had not as yet obeyed the command of Louis XVIII., but he now
Rise and Fall of Cesar Birotteau |
