Full resolution (JPEG) - On this page / på denna sida - The Lady Musica
<< prev. page << föreg. sida << >> nästa sida >> next page >>
Below is the raw OCR text
from the above scanned image.
Do you see an error? Proofread the page now!
Här nedan syns maskintolkade texten från faksimilbilden ovan.
Ser du något fel? Korrekturläs sidan nu!
This page has been proofread at least once.
(diff)
(history)
Denna sida har korrekturlästs minst en gång.
(skillnad)
(historik)
occasionally, and discharged the whole strength of his lungs
into his instrument, and then Julius thumped him
promptly with the baton on his thick pate.
It was going very well—brilliantly. From the
dead notes they charmed forth the Lady Musica
herself. Spread forth thy mantle, dear lady, and
carry Gösta Berling to the land of happiness where
he was wont to dwell.
Oh, that it should be Gösta Berling sitting there
so pale and spiritless, whom the old gentlemen are
trying to amuse as if he were a child. Joy must
be scarce now in Värmland. I know well why the
old men loved him so much. I know how long
the winter evenings can be, and how gloominess
creeps over one’s mind in those lonely homesteads.
I know how they felt when he came there. Imagine
a Sunday afternoon when all work was put aside,
and your thoughts were dull! Imagine an obstinate
north wind whipping the cold into the rooms, a cold
which no fire on the hearth can mitigate! Imagine
the one tallow candle, which must constantly be
snuffed! Think of the monotonous tones of the
psalm-singing coming from the kitchen!
And then comes the sound of sleigh-bells, strong
feet stamp the snow off on the porch steps, and
Gösta Berling comes into the room. He laughs and
teases. He is life and sunshine. He throws the piano
open, and he plays till you are surprised at the old
keys. He can sing any song and play every
<< prev. page << föreg. sida << >> nästa sida >> next page >>
