Страница 100 из 483

The present season was indeed divine; the flowers of spring

bloomed in the hedges, while those of summer were already in bud.

I was undisturbed by thoughts which during the preceding year had

pressed upon me, notwithstanding my endeavours to throw them off,

with an invincible burden.

Henry rejoiced in my gaiety, and sincerely sympathised in my

feelings: he exerted himself to amuse me, while he expressed the

sensations that filled his soul. The resources of his mind on

this occasion were truly astonishing: his conversation was full

of imagination; and very often, in imitation of the Persian and

Arabic writers, he invented tales of wonderful fancy and passion.

At other times he repeated my favourite poems, or drew me out

into arguments, which he supported with great ingenuity.

We returned to our college on a Sunday afternoon: the peasants

were dancing, and every one we met appeared gay and happy. My own

spirits were high, and I bounded along with feelings of unbridled

joy and hilarity.