Page:Life in the Old World - Vol. II.djvu/386

396 end, by a Sirocco-storm; which during one night carried away all the bathing houses on the shore, and ours amongst the rest. Yesterday the sea rose high along the strand, and it was magnificent to see the waves with white foamy manes, like some kind of seahorses, rear up against the cliffs. The weather during the last eight days has been so autumnal and chilly that I do not know when I have felt it so unpleasant in Sweden at this time of the year. And in the main I find that the summer in Sweden as much exceeds that of Italy in beauty and pleasantness, as the winter and spring of Italy exceed those seasons in Sweden. In a few days I leave Sorrento and proceed to Capri, Amalfi, and Solerno, and then again to Naples. The betrothed will accompany me.

We have also within doors experienced some storms, arising from Psyché's not yet fully subdued heart. But Hercules has on every occasion overcome them by the power both of earthly and heavenly love, and after every fresh obscuration by the black elves, I see anew the bright star-glance beam forth from the receding clouds. Great is her power over him, but I observe with pleasure that his power over her is on the increase. After each little storm the heaven becomes all the brighter.

Our evenings are always harmonious. Psyché's music gives a great enjoyment to them, because it is like a living, gushing fountain from the depths of her soul. Sometimes also, Hercules joins her in singing Santa Lucia, which he sings well. He has a strong, pure, and melodious voice, although not musically trained. Afterwards we take our stand on one of the