The Procession

           BeforeHesterPrynnecouldcalltogetherherthoughts,andconsiderwhatwaspracticabletobedoneinthisnewandstartlingaspectofaffairs,thesoundofmilitarymusicwasheardapproachingalongacontiguousstreet.Itdenotedtheadvanceoftheprocessionofmagistratesandcitizensonitswaytowardsthemeeting-house:where,incompliancewithacustomthusearlyestablished,andeversinceobserved,theReverendMr.DimmesdalewastodeliveranElectionSermon.

           Soontheheadoftheprocessionshoweditself,withaslowandstatelymarch,turningacorner,andmakingitswayacrossthemarket-place.Firstcamethemusic.Itcomprisedavarietyofinstruments,perhapsimperfectlyadaptedtooneanother,andplayedwithnogreatskill;butyetattainingthegreatobjectforwhichtheharmonyofdrumandclarionaddressesitselftothemultitude—thatofimpartingahigherandmoreheroicairtothesceneoflifethatpassesbeforetheeye.LittlePearlatfirstclappedherhands,butthenlostforaninstanttherestlessagitationthathadkeptherinacontinualeffervescencethroughoutthemorning;shegazedsilently,andseemedtobeborneupwardlikeafloatingsea-birdonthelongheavesandswellsofsound.Butshewasbroughtbacktoherformermoodbytheshimmerofthesunshineontheweaponsandbrightarmourofthemilitarycompany,whichfollowedafterthemusic,andformedthehonoraryescortoftheprocession.