Chapter 7 Hester Prynne went one day to the mansion of Governor Bellingham, with a pair of gloves which she had fringed and embroidered to his order, and which were to be worn on some great occasion of state; for, though the chances of a popular election had caused this former ruler to descend a […]
Chapter 6 We have as yet hardly spoken of the infant; that little creature, whose innocent life had sprung, by the inscrutable decree of Providence, a lovely and immortal flower, out of the rank luxuriance of a guilty passion. How strange it seemed to the sad woman, as she watched the growth, and the beauty
Chapter 5 Hester Prynne’s term of confinement was now at an end. Her prison-door was thrown open, and she came forth into the sunshine, which, falling on all alike, seemed, to her sick and morbid heart, as if meant for no other purpose than to reveal the scarlet letter on her breast. Perhaps there was
Chapter 4 After her return to the prison, Hester Prynne was found to be in a state of nervous excitement that demanded constant watchfulness, lest she should perpetrate violence on herself, or do some half-frenzied mischief to the poor babe. As night approached, it proving impossible to quell her insubordination by rebuke or threats of
Chapter 3 From this intense consciousness of being the object of severe and universal observation, the wearer of the scarlet letter was at length relieved, by discerning, on the outskirts of the crowd, a figure which irresistibly took possession of her thoughts. An Indian, in his native garb, was standing there; but the red men
Chapter 2 The grass-plot before the jail, in Prison Lane, on a certain summer morning, not less than two centuries ago, was occupied by a pretty large number of the inhabitants of Boston, all with their eyes intently fastened on the iron-clamped oaken door. Amongst any other population, or at a later period in the
Chapter 1 A throng of bearded men, in sad-coloured garments and grey steeple-crowned hats, intermixed with women, some wearing hoods and others bareheaded, was assembled in front of a wooden edifice, the door of which was heavily timbered with oak and studded with iron spikes.The founders of a new colony, whatever Utopia of human virtue
Chapter 24 Meanwhile Cyllenian Hermes was gathering in the souls of the Suitors, armed with the splendid golden wand that he can use at will to cast a spell on our eyes or wake us from the soundest sleep. He roused them up and marshalled them with this, and they obeyed his summons gibbering like
Chapter 23 Chuckling as she went, the old woman bustled upstairs to tell her mistress that her beloved husband was in the house. Her legs could hardly carry her fast enough, and her feet twinkled in their haste. As she reached the head of the bedstead, she cried: “Wake up, Penelope, dear child, and see
Chapter 22 Shedding his rags, the indomitable Odysseus leapt onto the great threshold with his bow and his full quiver, and poured out the winged arrows at his feet.“That match is played and won!” he shouted to the Suitors. “Now for another target! No man has hit it yet; but with Apollo’s help I’ll try.”
Chapter 21 Athene, Goddess of the flashing eyes, now prompted that wise lady, Penelope, to confront the Suitors in the palace with the bow and the grey iron axes that were to test their skill and lead to their destruction. She descended the high staircase from her own apartments and with her shapely hand picked
Chapter 20 Meanwhile Odysseus prepared himself for sleep in tile portico. He spread an untanned ox-hide on the floor and piled it up with plenty of fleeces, from sheep that the young lords had slaughtered as their habit was; and Eurynome cast a mantle over him when he had settled down. As he lay there
Chapter 19 King Odysseus was left in the deserted hall to plot the destruction of the Suitors with Athene’s aid. His first step was to give his son some instructions.“Telemachus,” he said, “the arms must be stowed away, to the last weapon. When the Suitors miss them and ask you what has happened, you must
Chapter 18 There entered now upon the scene a common vagabond who used to beg for his living in the streets of Ithaca and was notorious for his insatiable greed and his ability to eat and drink all day. He was a big fellow, yet in spite of appearances he had no stamina or muscle.
Chapter 17 The tender dawn, flecking the East with red, found King Odysseus’ son Telemachus eager to set out for the city. He bound his strong sandals on his feet, and had a word with his swineherd as he picked up his big well-balanced spear.“Uncle,” he said, “I am going to town now, as you