The Portrait of Mr. W. H. by Oscar Wilde Chapter 3 lll free audiobook Tale Teller Club Library

chapter three of the portrait of mr wh by oscar wilde this librivox recording is in the public domain chapter three one evening i thought that i'd really discovered willie hughes in elizabethan literature in a wonderfully graphic account of the last days of the great earl of essex his chaplain thomas nell tells us that the night before the earl died he called william hughes which was his musician to play upon the virginals and to sing play said he my song will hughes and i will sing it myself so he did it most joyfully not as the howling swan which still looking down waileth her end but as a sweet lark lifting up his hands and casting his eyes to his god with this mounted the crystal skies and reached with his unwary tongue the top of highest heavens

surely the boy who played on the virginals to the dying father of sydney's stella was none other than the will hughes to whom shakespeare dedicated the sonnets and who tells us was himself sweet music to hear yet lord essex died in 1576 when shakespeare was booked 12 years of age it was impossible that his musician could have been the mr wh of the sonnets perhaps shakespeare's young friend was the son of the player upon the virginals it was at least something to have discovered that will hughes was an elizabethan name indeed the name hughes seemed to have been closely connected with music and the stage the first english actress was the lovely margaret hughes whom prince rupert so madly adored what more probable than that between her and lord essex musician had come the boy actor of shakespeare's plays in 1587 a certain thomas hughes brought out at grey's inn a euripidean tragedy entitled the misfortunes of arthur receiving much assistance in the arrangement of the dumb shows from one francis bacon then a student of law surely he was some near kinsmen of the lad to whom shakespeare said take all my loves my love yea take them all the profitless usura of unused beauty as he describes him but the proofs the links where were they alas i could not find them it seemed to me that i was always on the brink of absolute verification but that i could never really attain to it i thought it strange that no one had ever written a history of the english boy actors of the 16th and 17th centuries and determined to undertake the task myself and to try and ascertain their true relations to the drama the subject was certainly full of artistic interest these lads had been the delicate reeds through which our poets had sounded their sweetest strains the gracious vessels of honor into which they had poured the purple wine of their song foremost naturally amongst them all had been the youth to whom shakespeare had entrusted the realization of his most exquisite creations beauty had been his such as our age has never or but rarely seen a beauty that seemed to combine the charm of both sexes and to have wedded as the sonnets tell us the grace of adonis and the loveliness of helen he had been quick-witted too and eloquent and from those finely curved lips that the satirists had mocked at had come the passionate cry of juliet and the bright laughter of beatrice perdita's flower-like words and ophelia's wandering songs yet as shakespeare himself had been but as a god among giants so willie hughes had only been one out of many marvelous lads to whom our english renaissance owed something of the secret of its joy and it appeared to me that they also were worthy of some study and record in a little book with fine vellum leaves and damask silk cover a fancy of mine in those fanciful days i accordingly collected such information as i could about them and even now there is something in the scanty record of their lives in the may mentioned of their names that attracts me i seemed to know them all robin armin the goldsmith's lad who was lured by tarleton to go on the stage sandford whose...

The Portrait of Mr. W. H. by Oscar Wilde Chapter 3 lll free audiobook Tale Teller Club Library

chapter three of the portrait of mr wh by oscar wilde this librivox recording is in the public domain chapter three one evening i thought that i'd really discovered willie hughes in elizabethan literature in a wonderfully graphic account of the last days of the great earl of essex his chaplain thomas nell tells us that the night before the earl died he called william hughes which was his musician to play upon the virginals and to sing play said he my song will hughes and i will sing it myself so he did it most joyfully not as the howling swan which still looking down waileth her end but as a sweet lark lifting up his hands and casting his eyes to his god with this mounted the crystal skies and reached with his unwary tongue the top of highest heavens

surely the boy who played on the virginals to the dying father of sydney's stella was none other than the will hughes to whom shakespeare dedicated the sonnets and who tells us was himself sweet music to hear yet lord essex died in 1576 when shakespeare was booked 12 years of age it was impossible that his musician could have been the mr wh of the sonnets perhaps shakespeare's young friend was the son of the player upon the virginals it was at least something to have discovered that will hughes was an elizabethan name indeed the name hughes seemed to have been closely connected with music and the stage the first english actress was the lovely margaret hughes whom prince rupert so madly adored what more probable than that between her and lord essex musician had come the boy actor of shakespeare's plays in 1587 a certain thomas hughes brought out at grey's inn a euripidean tragedy entitled the misfortunes of arthur receiving much assistance in the arrangement of the dumb shows from one francis bacon then a student of law surely he was some near kinsmen of the lad to whom shakespeare said take all my loves my love yea take them all the profitless usura of unused beauty as he describes him but the proofs the links where were they alas i could not find them it seemed to me that i was always on the brink of absolute verification but that i could never really attain to it i thought it strange that no one had ever written a history of the english boy actors of the 16th and 17th centuries and determined to undertake the task myself and to try and ascertain their true relations to the drama the subject was certainly full of artistic interest these lads had been the delicate reeds through which our poets had sounded their sweetest strains the gracious vessels of honor into which they had poured the purple wine of their song foremost naturally amongst them all had been the youth to whom shakespeare had entrusted the realization of his most exquisite creations beauty had been his such as our age has never or but rarely seen a beauty that seemed to combine the charm of both sexes and to have wedded as the sonnets tell us the grace of adonis and the loveliness of helen he had been quick-witted too and eloquent and from those finely curved lips that the satirists had mocked at had come the passionate cry of juliet and the bright laughter of beatrice perdita's flower-like words and ophelia's wandering songs yet as shakespeare himself had been but as a god among giants so willie hughes had only been one out of many marvelous lads to whom our english renaissance owed something of the secret of its joy and it appeared to me that they also were worthy of some study and record in a little book with fine vellum leaves and damask silk cover a fancy of mine in those fanciful days i accordingly collected such information as i could about them and even now there is something in the scanty record of their lives in the may mentioned of their names that attracts me i seemed to know them all robin armin the goldsmith's lad who was lured by tarleton to go on the stage sandford whose...

Othello by William Shakespeare Act V Free Audio Plays from the Tale Teller Club Library.

act 5 of othello this is a librivox recording all librivox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit librivox.org read by vinay mala othello by william shakespeare act five scene one cyprus a street enter iago and rodrigo iago here stand behind this bulk straight will he come wear thy good rapier beer and put it home quick quick fear nothing i will be at thy elbow it makes us or it marsus think on that and fix most from thy resolution rodrigo be near at hand i may miscarry in it yago here at thy hand be bold and take thy stand retires to a little distance rodrigo i have no great devotion to the deed and yet he hath given me satisfying reasons this but a man gone forth my sword he dies goes to his stand iago i have rubbed this young quiet almost to the sense and he grows angry now whether he kill casio or cassio him or each do kill the other every way makes my gain live rodrigo he calls me to a restitution large of golden jewels that i bob from him as gifts to destimona it must not be if cassio do remain he had her daily beauty in his life that makes me ugly and besides the moor may unfold me to him there stand i in much peril no he must die but so i hear him coming enter casio rodrigo i know his gate tis he villain though diced rushes out and makes a pass at cassio cassio that thrust had been mine enemy indeed but that my coat is better than though knows i will make proof of thine drawers and wounds rodrigo rodrigo oh i am slain iago rushes from his post cuts casio behind in the leg and exit kiss you i am maimed forever help oh murder murder false enter othello othello the voice of casio iago keeps his word rodrigo oh villain that

iago honest and just that has such noble sense of thy friends wrong though teachest me minion your dear lies dead and your unblessed faith highs stump it i come forth of my heart those charms thine eyes are blotted thy bed lust stained shell with lusts blood be spotted exit enter lodovico and graciano cassio what oh no watch no passage murder murder graciano tis some mischance the cry is very dire full case you oh help lord of eco hawk rodrigo or wretched villain lord of eco two or three grown it is a heavy night this may be counterfeits let's think it unsafe to come into the cry without more help rodrigo nobody come then shall i bleed to death enter yago with the light lord of eco hawk graciano here's one comes in his shirt with light and weapons iago who's there whose noise is that cries on murder lord of ego we do not know iago did not you hear a cry kiss you here here for heaven's sake help me iago what's the matter graciano this is othello's ancient as i take it lord of eco the same indeed a very valiant fellow iago what are you here that cry so grievously kiss you yago oh i'm spoiled undone by villains give me some help yago lieutenant what villains have done this casey i think that one of them is hereabout and cannot make a way iago or treacherous villains to lodovico and graciano what are you there come in and give some help rodrigo oh help me here case you that's one of them iago oh murderous slave or villain stabs rodrigo rodrigo or damned iago or inhuman dog iago kill me in the dark where be these bloody thieves how silent is this town oh murder murder what may you be are you of good or evil lord

i cry you mercy here's case you're hurt by villains graciano

yago how is it brother kiss you my leg is cut into iago mary heaven forbid light gentlemen i will bind it with my shirt enter bianca bianca what is the matter oh who is it that cried yago who is it that cried bianca oh my dear casio my sweet case you okay co cassio casio yago oh notable stumpet casio may you suspect who they should be that have thus mangled you kiss you no grishan i am sorry to find you this i have been to seek you iago let me a garter so oh...

Othello by William Shakespeare Act V Free Audio Plays from the Tale Teller Club Library.

act 5 of othello this is a librivox recording all librivox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit librivox.org read by vinay mala othello by william shakespeare act five scene one cyprus a street enter iago and rodrigo iago here stand behind this bulk straight will he come wear thy good rapier beer and put it home quick quick fear nothing i will be at thy elbow it makes us or it marsus think on that and fix most from thy resolution rodrigo be near at hand i may miscarry in it yago here at thy hand be bold and take thy stand retires to a little distance rodrigo i have no great devotion to the deed and yet he hath given me satisfying reasons this but a man gone forth my sword he dies goes to his stand iago i have rubbed this young quiet almost to the sense and he grows angry now whether he kill casio or cassio him or each do kill the other every way makes my gain live rodrigo he calls me to a restitution large of golden jewels that i bob from him as gifts to destimona it must not be if cassio do remain he had her daily beauty in his life that makes me ugly and besides the moor may unfold me to him there stand i in much peril no he must die but so i hear him coming enter casio rodrigo i know his gate tis he villain though diced rushes out and makes a pass at cassio cassio that thrust had been mine enemy indeed but that my coat is better than though knows i will make proof of thine drawers and wounds rodrigo rodrigo oh i am slain iago rushes from his post cuts casio behind in the leg and exit kiss you i am maimed forever help oh murder murder false enter othello othello the voice of casio iago keeps his word rodrigo oh villain that

iago honest and just that has such noble sense of thy friends wrong though teachest me minion your dear lies dead and your unblessed faith highs stump it i come forth of my heart those charms thine eyes are blotted thy bed lust stained shell with lusts blood be spotted exit enter lodovico and graciano cassio what oh no watch no passage murder murder graciano tis some mischance the cry is very dire full case you oh help lord of eco hawk rodrigo or wretched villain lord of eco two or three grown it is a heavy night this may be counterfeits let's think it unsafe to come into the cry without more help rodrigo nobody come then shall i bleed to death enter yago with the light lord of eco hawk graciano here's one comes in his shirt with light and weapons iago who's there whose noise is that cries on murder lord of ego we do not know iago did not you hear a cry kiss you here here for heaven's sake help me iago what's the matter graciano this is othello's ancient as i take it lord of eco the same indeed a very valiant fellow iago what are you here that cry so grievously kiss you yago oh i'm spoiled undone by villains give me some help yago lieutenant what villains have done this casey i think that one of them is hereabout and cannot make a way iago or treacherous villains to lodovico and graciano what are you there come in and give some help rodrigo oh help me here case you that's one of them iago oh murderous slave or villain stabs rodrigo rodrigo or damned iago or inhuman dog iago kill me in the dark where be these bloody thieves how silent is this town oh murder murder what may you be are you of good or evil lord

i cry you mercy here's case you're hurt by villains graciano

yago how is it brother kiss you my leg is cut into iago mary heaven forbid light gentlemen i will bind it with my shirt enter bianca bianca what is the matter oh who is it that cried yago who is it that cried bianca oh my dear casio my sweet case you okay co cassio casio yago oh notable stumpet casio may you suspect who they should be that have thus mangled you kiss you no grishan i am sorry to find you this i have been to seek you iago let me a garter so oh...

Princess and the Goblin George MacDonald Free Audiobooks Kids ch 7-8 Tale Teller Book Club.

section 4 of the princess and the goblin this is a librivox recording all librivox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit librivox.org recording by lizzy driver the princess and the goblin by george mcdonald chapters seven to eight chapter seven the minds kirdie went home whistling he resolved to say nothing about the princess for fear of getting the nurse into trouble for while he enjoyed teasing her because of her absurdity he was careful not to do her any harm he saw no more of the goblins and was soon fast asleep in his bed he woke in the middle of the night and thought he heard curious noises outside he sat up and listened then got up and opening the door very quietly went out when he peeped round the corner he saw under his own window a group of stumpy creatures whom he at once recognized by their shape hardly however had he begun his one two three when they broke asunder scurried away and were out of sight he returned laughing got into bed again and was fast asleep in a moment reflecting a little over the matter in the morning he came to the conclusion that as nothing of the kind had ever happened before they must be annoyed with him for interfering to protect the princess by the time he was dressed however he was thinking of something quite different for he did not value the enmity of the goblins in the least as soon as they had had breakfast he set off with his father for the mine they entered the hill by a natural opening under a huge rock where a little stream rushed out they followed its course for a few yards when the passage took a turn and sloped steeply into the heart of the hill with many angles and windings and branchings off and sometimes with steps or it came upon a natural gulf it led them deep into the hill before they arrived at the place where they were at present dinging out the precious ore this was of various kinds for the mountain was very rich in the better sorts of metals with flint and steel and tinderbox they lighted their lamps then fixed them on their heads and were soon hard at work with their pickaxes and shovels and hammers father and son were at work near each other but not in the same gang the passages out of which the all was dug they called gangs for when the load or vein of all was small one miner would have to dig away alone in a passage no bigger than gave him just room to work sometimes in uncomfortable cramped positions if they stopped for a moment they could hear everywhere around them some nearer some farther off the sounds of their companions burrowing away in all directions in the inside of the great mountain some boring holes in the rock in order to blow it up with gunpowder others shoveling the broken oar into baskets to be carried to the mouth of the mine others hitting away with their pickaxes sometimes if the miner was in a very lonely part he would hear only a tap tapping no louder than of a woodpecker for the sound would come from a great distance off through the solid mountain rock the work was hard at best for it is very warm underground but it was not particularly unpleasant and some of the miners when they wanted to earn a little more money for a particular purpose would stop behind the rest and work all night

but you could not tell night from day down there except from feeling tired and sleepy for no light of the sun ever came into those gloomy regions

some who had thus remained behind during the night although certain there were none of their companions at work would declare the next morning that they heard every time they halted for a moment to take breath a tap tapping all about them as if the mountain were then more full of miners than ever it was during the day

and some in consequence would never stay overnight for all knew those were the sounds of the goblins

they...

Princess and the Goblin George MacDonald Free Audiobooks Kids ch 7-8 Tale Teller Book Club.

section 4 of the princess and the goblin this is a librivox recording all librivox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit librivox.org recording by lizzy driver the princess and the goblin by george mcdonald chapters seven to eight chapter seven the minds kirdie went home whistling he resolved to say nothing about the princess for fear of getting the nurse into trouble for while he enjoyed teasing her because of her absurdity he was careful not to do her any harm he saw no more of the goblins and was soon fast asleep in his bed he woke in the middle of the night and thought he heard curious noises outside he sat up and listened then got up and opening the door very quietly went out when he peeped round the corner he saw under his own window a group of stumpy creatures whom he at once recognized by their shape hardly however had he begun his one two three when they broke asunder scurried away and were out of sight he returned laughing got into bed again and was fast asleep in a moment reflecting a little over the matter in the morning he came to the conclusion that as nothing of the kind had ever happened before they must be annoyed with him for interfering to protect the princess by the time he was dressed however he was thinking of something quite different for he did not value the enmity of the goblins in the least as soon as they had had breakfast he set off with his father for the mine they entered the hill by a natural opening under a huge rock where a little stream rushed out they followed its course for a few yards when the passage took a turn and sloped steeply into the heart of the hill with many angles and windings and branchings off and sometimes with steps or it came upon a natural gulf it led them deep into the hill before they arrived at the place where they were at present dinging out the precious ore this was of various kinds for the mountain was very rich in the better sorts of metals with flint and steel and tinderbox they lighted their lamps then fixed them on their heads and were soon hard at work with their pickaxes and shovels and hammers father and son were at work near each other but not in the same gang the passages out of which the all was dug they called gangs for when the load or vein of all was small one miner would have to dig away alone in a passage no bigger than gave him just room to work sometimes in uncomfortable cramped positions if they stopped for a moment they could hear everywhere around them some nearer some farther off the sounds of their companions burrowing away in all directions in the inside of the great mountain some boring holes in the rock in order to blow it up with gunpowder others shoveling the broken oar into baskets to be carried to the mouth of the mine others hitting away with their pickaxes sometimes if the miner was in a very lonely part he would hear only a tap tapping no louder than of a woodpecker for the sound would come from a great distance off through the solid mountain rock the work was hard at best for it is very warm underground but it was not particularly unpleasant and some of the miners when they wanted to earn a little more money for a particular purpose would stop behind the rest and work all night

but you could not tell night from day down there except from feeling tired and sleepy for no light of the sun ever came into those gloomy regions

some who had thus remained behind during the night although certain there were none of their companions at work would declare the next morning that they heard every time they halted for a moment to take breath a tap tapping all about them as if the mountain were then more full of miners than ever it was during the day

and some in consequence would never stay overnight for all knew those were the sounds of the goblins

they...

The Sea Fairies Baum Free Audiobooks Fairytales Traditional Literature Tale Teller Club.
this is a librivox recording all librivox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit librivox.org the seafairies by l frank baum chapter 6 exploring the ocean the queen now requested her guests to recline upon couches that they might rest themselves from their long swim and talk more at their ease so the girl and the sailor allowed themselves to float downward until they rested their bodies on two of the couches nearest the throne which were willingly vacated for them by the mermaids who had occupied them until then the visitors soon found themselves answering a great many questions about their life on the earth four although the queen had said she kept track of what was going on on the land there were many details of human life in which all the mermaids seemed greatly interested during the conversation several sea maids came swimming into the room bearing trays of sea apples and other fruit which they first offered to the queen and then passed the refreshments around to the company assembled trot and captain bill each took some and the little girl found the fruits delicious to eat as they had a richer flavor than any that grew upon land queen aquarine was much pleased when the old sailor asked for more but merlot warned him dinner would soon be served and he must take care not to spoil his appetite for that meal our dinner is at noon for we have to cook in the middle of the day when the sun is shining she said cook cried trot why you can't build a fire in the water can you we have no need of fires with the reply the glass roof of our kitchen is so curved that it concentrates the heat of the sun's rays which are then hot enough to cook anything we wish but how do you get along if the day is cloudy and the sun doesn't shine inquired the little girl then we use the hot springs that bubble up in another part of the palace mirla answered but the sun is the best to cook by so it was no surprise to trot when about noon dinner was announced and all the mermaids headed by their queen and their guests swam into another spacious room where a great long table was laid the dishes were of polished gold and dainty cut glass and the cloth and napkins of fine gossamer around the table were ranged rows of couches for the mermaids to recline upon as they ate only the nobility and favorites of queen aquarine were invited to partake of this repast for clea explained that tables were set for the other mermaids in different parts of the numerous palaces trot wondered who would serve the meal but her curiosity was soon satisfied when several large lobsters came sliding into the room backward bearing in their claws trays loaded with food each of these lobsters had a golden band around its neck to show it was the slave of the mermaids these curious waiters were fussy creatures and trot found much amusement in watching their odd motions they were so spry and excitable that at times they ran against one another and upset the platters of food after which they began to scold and argue as to whose fault it was until one of the mermaids quietly rebuked them and asked them to be more quiet and more careful the queen's guests had no cause to complain of the dinner provided first the lobsters served bowls of turtle soup which proved hot and deliciously flavored then came salmon steaks fried in fish oil with a fungus bread that tasted much like field mushrooms oysters clams soft shell crabs and various preparations of seafoods followed the salad was a delicate leaf from some seaweed that thought was much nicer than lettuce several courses were served and the lobsters changed the plates with each course chattering and scolding as they worked and as trot said doing everything backwards in their nervous fussy way many of the things offered them to eat were unknown to the visitors and the child was suspicious of some of them...

The Sea Fairies Baum Free Audiobooks Fairytales Traditional Literature Tale Teller Club.
this is a librivox recording all librivox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit librivox.org the seafairies by l frank baum chapter 6 exploring the ocean the queen now requested her guests to recline upon couches that they might rest themselves from their long swim and talk more at their ease so the girl and the sailor allowed themselves to float downward until they rested their bodies on two of the couches nearest the throne which were willingly vacated for them by the mermaids who had occupied them until then the visitors soon found themselves answering a great many questions about their life on the earth four although the queen had said she kept track of what was going on on the land there were many details of human life in which all the mermaids seemed greatly interested during the conversation several sea maids came swimming into the room bearing trays of sea apples and other fruit which they first offered to the queen and then passed the refreshments around to the company assembled trot and captain bill each took some and the little girl found the fruits delicious to eat as they had a richer flavor than any that grew upon land queen aquarine was much pleased when the old sailor asked for more but merlot warned him dinner would soon be served and he must take care not to spoil his appetite for that meal our dinner is at noon for we have to cook in the middle of the day when the sun is shining she said cook cried trot why you can't build a fire in the water can you we have no need of fires with the reply the glass roof of our kitchen is so curved that it concentrates the heat of the sun's rays which are then hot enough to cook anything we wish but how do you get along if the day is cloudy and the sun doesn't shine inquired the little girl then we use the hot springs that bubble up in another part of the palace mirla answered but the sun is the best to cook by so it was no surprise to trot when about noon dinner was announced and all the mermaids headed by their queen and their guests swam into another spacious room where a great long table was laid the dishes were of polished gold and dainty cut glass and the cloth and napkins of fine gossamer around the table were ranged rows of couches for the mermaids to recline upon as they ate only the nobility and favorites of queen aquarine were invited to partake of this repast for clea explained that tables were set for the other mermaids in different parts of the numerous palaces trot wondered who would serve the meal but her curiosity was soon satisfied when several large lobsters came sliding into the room backward bearing in their claws trays loaded with food each of these lobsters had a golden band around its neck to show it was the slave of the mermaids these curious waiters were fussy creatures and trot found much amusement in watching their odd motions they were so spry and excitable that at times they ran against one another and upset the platters of food after which they began to scold and argue as to whose fault it was until one of the mermaids quietly rebuked them and asked them to be more quiet and more careful the queen's guests had no cause to complain of the dinner provided first the lobsters served bowls of turtle soup which proved hot and deliciously flavored then came salmon steaks fried in fish oil with a fungus bread that tasted much like field mushrooms oysters clams soft shell crabs and various preparations of seafoods followed the salad was a delicate leaf from some seaweed that thought was much nicer than lettuce several courses were served and the lobsters changed the plates with each course chattering and scolding as they worked and as trot said doing everything backwards in their nervous fussy way many of the things offered them to eat were unknown to the visitors and the child was suspicious of some of them...

The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame The Open Road Free Children's Literature.

this is a librivox recording all librebox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit librivox.org this recording is by mark smith of simpsonville south carolina the wind in the willows by kenneth graham chapter 3 the wild wood the mole had long wanted to make the acquaintance of the badger he seemed by all accounts to be such an important personage and the rarely visible to make his unseen influence felt by everybody about the place but whenever the mole mentioned his wish to the water rat he always found himself put off that's all right the rat would say badger i'll turn up someday or other he's always turning up and then i'll introduce you the best of fellows but you must not only take him as you find him but when you find him couldn't you ask him here for dinner or something said the mole he wouldn't come replied the rat simply badger hates society and invitations and dinner and all that sort of thing well then supposing we go and call on him suggested them all oh i'm sure he wouldn't like that at all said the rat quite alarmed he's so very shy he'd be sure to be offended i've never even ventured to call on him in his own home myself though i know him so well besides we can't it's quite out of the question because he lives in the very middle of the wild wood well supposing he does said them all you told me the wild wood was all right you know oh i know i know so it is replied the rat evasively but i think we won't go there just now not just yet it's a long way and he wouldn't be at home at this time of year anyhow and he'll be coming along someday if you'll wait quietly the mole had to be content with this but the badger never came along and every day brought its amusements and it was not till summer was long over and cold in frost and miri ways kept them much indoors and the swollen river raced past outside their windows with a speed that mocked a boating of any sort or kind that he found his thoughts dwelling again with much persistence on the solitary grey badger who lived his own life by himself in his hole in the middle of the wild wood in the winter time the rats slept a great deal retiring early and rising late during his short day he sometimes scribbled poetry or did other small domestic jobs about the house and of course there were always animals dropping in for a chat and consequently there was a good deal of storytelling and comparing notes on the past summer and all its doings such a rich chapter had it been when one came to look back on it all with illustrations so numerous and so very highly colored the pageant of the riverbank had marched steadily along unfolding itself in scene pictures that succeeded each other in stately procession purple loosestrife arrived early shaking luxuriant tangled locks along the edge of the mirror whence its own face laughed back at it willow herb tender and wistful like a pink sunset cloud was not slow to follow comfrey the purple hand in hand with the white crep forth to take its place in the line and at last one morning the diffident and delaying dog rose stepped delicately on the stage and one knew as if string music had announced it in stately chords that strayed into a gavat that june at last was here one member of the company was still awaited the shepherd boy for the nymphs to woo the night for whom the ladies waited at the window the prince that was kissed the sleeping summer back to life and love but when meadow sweet debonair and odorous and amber jerkin moved graciously to his place in the group then the play was ready to begin and what a play it had been drowsy animals snug in their homes while wind and rain were battering at their doors recalled still keen mornings an hour before sunrise when the white mist as yet undispersed clung closely along the surface of the water then the shock of the early plunge the scamper along the...

The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame The Open Road Free Children's Literature.

this is a librivox recording all librebox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit librivox.org this recording is by mark smith of simpsonville south carolina the wind in the willows by kenneth graham chapter 3 the wild wood the mole had long wanted to make the acquaintance of the badger he seemed by all accounts to be such an important personage and the rarely visible to make his unseen influence felt by everybody about the place but whenever the mole mentioned his wish to the water rat he always found himself put off that's all right the rat would say badger i'll turn up someday or other he's always turning up and then i'll introduce you the best of fellows but you must not only take him as you find him but when you find him couldn't you ask him here for dinner or something said the mole he wouldn't come replied the rat simply badger hates society and invitations and dinner and all that sort of thing well then supposing we go and call on him suggested them all oh i'm sure he wouldn't like that at all said the rat quite alarmed he's so very shy he'd be sure to be offended i've never even ventured to call on him in his own home myself though i know him so well besides we can't it's quite out of the question because he lives in the very middle of the wild wood well supposing he does said them all you told me the wild wood was all right you know oh i know i know so it is replied the rat evasively but i think we won't go there just now not just yet it's a long way and he wouldn't be at home at this time of year anyhow and he'll be coming along someday if you'll wait quietly the mole had to be content with this but the badger never came along and every day brought its amusements and it was not till summer was long over and cold in frost and miri ways kept them much indoors and the swollen river raced past outside their windows with a speed that mocked a boating of any sort or kind that he found his thoughts dwelling again with much persistence on the solitary grey badger who lived his own life by himself in his hole in the middle of the wild wood in the winter time the rats slept a great deal retiring early and rising late during his short day he sometimes scribbled poetry or did other small domestic jobs about the house and of course there were always animals dropping in for a chat and consequently there was a good deal of storytelling and comparing notes on the past summer and all its doings such a rich chapter had it been when one came to look back on it all with illustrations so numerous and so very highly colored the pageant of the riverbank had marched steadily along unfolding itself in scene pictures that succeeded each other in stately procession purple loosestrife arrived early shaking luxuriant tangled locks along the edge of the mirror whence its own face laughed back at it willow herb tender and wistful like a pink sunset cloud was not slow to follow comfrey the purple hand in hand with the white crep forth to take its place in the line and at last one morning the diffident and delaying dog rose stepped delicately on the stage and one knew as if string music had announced it in stately chords that strayed into a gavat that june at last was here one member of the company was still awaited the shepherd boy for the nymphs to woo the night for whom the ladies waited at the window the prince that was kissed the sleeping summer back to life and love but when meadow sweet debonair and odorous and amber jerkin moved graciously to his place in the group then the play was ready to begin and what a play it had been drowsy animals snug in their homes while wind and rain were battering at their doors recalled still keen mornings an hour before sunrise when the white mist as yet undispersed clung closely along the surface of the water then the shock of the early plunge the scamper along the...