Hyperion, Vol. 2

By Longfellow, Henry Wadsworth

Excerpt
They were right,—those old German Minnesingers,—to sing the pleasant summer-time! What a time it is! How June stands illuminated in the Calendar! The windows are all wide open; only the Venetian blinds closed. Here and there a long streak of sunshine streams in through a crevice. We hear the low sound of the wind among the trees; and, as it swells and freshens, the distant doors clap to, with a sudden sound. The trees are heavy with leaves; and the gardens full of blossoms, red and white. The whole atmosphere is laden with perfume and sunshine. The birds sing. The cock struts about,and crows loftily. Insects chirp in the grass. Yellow butter-cups stud the green carpet like golden buttons, and the red blossoms of the clover like rubies. The elm-trees reach their long, pendulous branches almost to the ground. White clouds sail aloft; and vapors fret the blue sky with silver threads. The white village gleams afar against the dark hills. Through the meadow winds the river,—careless, indolent. It seems to love the country, and is in no haste to reach the sea. The bee only is at work,—the hot and angry bee. All things else are at play; he never plays, and is vexed that any one should.

Table of Contents
· BOOK THE THIRD. · Epigraph · CHAPTER I. SUMMER-TIME. · CHAPTER II. FOOT-TRAVELLING. · CHAPTER III. INTERLACHEN. · CHAPTER IV. THE EVENING AND THE MORNING STAR. · CHAPTER V. A RAINY DAY. · CHAPTER VI. AFTER DINNER, AND AFTER THE MANNER OF THE BEST CRITICS. · CHAPTER VII. TAKE CARE! · CHAPTER VIII. THE FOUNTAIN OF OBLIVION. · CHAPTER IX. A TALK ON THE STAIRS. · BOOK THE FOURTH. · Epigraph · CHAPTER I. A MISERERE. · CHAPTER II. CURFEW BELLS. · CHAPTER III. SHADOWS ON THE WALL. · CHAPTER IV. MUSICAL SUFFERINGS OF JOHN KREISLER. · CHAPTER V. SAINT GILGEN. · CHAPTER VI. SAINT WOLFGANG. · CHAPTER VII. THE STORY OF BROTHER BERNARDUS. · CHAPTER VIII. FOOT-PRINTS OF ANGELS.