The Speech of Birds also the Speech of Flowers, Text 1

The Speech of Birds also the Speech of Flowers · Text 1

ORNITHO-LOGIE OR THE SPEECH OF BIRDS.

THere was a Grove in Scicile, not far from Siracu…e, whrein the Greek and Latin Potes had made many Hyperbolicall descriptions For the Wits in that Country, being placebound, and confined to a narrow Circle of ground, sought to improve the same by their active Wits; whereby they enlarged every Ditch into a River; p. 2every Pond into a Lake, every Grove into a Forrest, every convenient Hill into a …ountain. In this notion they magnified this Grove, otherwise not above twelve Acres of ground, though well wooded, save that the tyrannical Oaks with their constant dropping, hindred the underwoods from prospering within the compasse thereof.

There was the whole Nation of Birds living under the shadow thereof. And the climate being indifferently moderate, and moderately middle; wherein the East, West, North, and South of the World, wherein some kinds compounded, p. 3Birds, of all Climates here, made their habitations. Now a Bill of complaint was subscribed (or rather signed) with the numberlesse Clawes (instead of hands) of Birds; containing the many insupportable Grievances they had endured from the intolerable cruelty of the Eagle; who making his own lust his Law, had dominered over all the winged Nation. The Eagle appeared in answer hereunto; (it being a generall meeting of all kinds of birds) and endeavoured to justifie his proceedings, and clear himself in vain, from their accusations. The truth is, the Eagle was overgrown with p. 4Age, for he is generally reported the survivor of all Birds: So that if one would take a Lease of Land on a birds life, he could not put in a more advantagious name then an Eagle.

But this Eagle had its bill with long age so reflexed back again into his mouth, that hee was so farre from preying on another, that hee could not swallow any Flesh though profered unto him. Soon will the spirits fail where the belly is not fed; in vain did his courage pretend to his wonted valour, when there was nothing within to justifie and make good the offers thereof. p. 5So that the poor Eagle conquered rather with its own Age then outward violence, yielded to that to which all must yield: and was forced patiently to digest all affronts offered unto him, and glad so to escape. For although some mention was made of killing him; yet by plurality of suffrages, that vote got the mastery which onelyonly confined him to a neighbouring wood, on condition that death without mercy should be his penalty if exceeding the Bounds thereof.

This done, Proclamation was made three daies after that the whole Species of Birds p. 6should appeare for the election of a Principall to command them. Indeed there were many which were altogether against any Government, because they might the more freely rove and range in their Affections. These held that all were free by nature; and that it was an assault on the Liberty of man, and a rape offered to his naturall freedom; that any should assume authority above another. These maintained (what certainly was not onelyonly a paradox, but a flat falshood) that nature at the first Creation made all the world a flat levell and Champion, and that it was by the violence of the Deluge p. 7or great Flood, which by the partiall fall or running thereof, made the inequality, by sinking some places into humble Vallies, and swelling others into aspiring Mountaines. Prosecuting which comparison, they maintained that all men were naturally equal; and that it was the inundation and influx of humane Tyranny which made this disparity between them. They also defended the argument, that as the world began, so it should with the Golden age; and that all ought to be restored to that primitive Liberty which men had lost, partly surrendring it by their own folly and easie p. 8nature; partly surprised into their own slavery by the cunning and craft of others that practised on their simplicity. But however that these made a great noise, the opposite party prevailed, as having most of strength and reason on their side.

For where all rule, there no rule at all will be: where every man may command, in fine, none will obey, the dictates of his own reason, but be a very vassall to his passion. Society cannot be twisted together where there is not a subordination and subjection one to another; and where every one is absolute in himself, there is an p. 9impossibility of any orderly subsistence.

Let the maintainers of the contrary, try with themselves to make a rope of sand; where each crum therein being independent of it self, hath no tendency to a generall agreement; but enjoyes it self in its own intirenesse.

It being now cast (by generall suffrages) for a Commander over all, that at such a time they should meet: it was also proclaimed that all antipathy should cease between all Birds during their meeting; because being now in danger of generall ruine, for want of a head all private animosity should be p. 10broken off and drowned in a publique agreement.

According to the Proclamation, they all met together; and birds of all feathers had a generall convolancy. Then the Estridge began, in a high commendation of himself, how he… was the biggest of all birds, and therefore the fittest to be their General, as of the greatest ability to support the weight of the Massie affairs o… State. The rest of the birds gave him the hearing, untill … Wren thus returned th… …r.

It may s… … very unproportionable combate betwe… the least and gr…atest of birds that I should once o…fer to enter p. 11the list with this Giant, who frights us all with his greatnesse. But sure this wise Senate never made the bulk of a body the standard whereby to measure the perfections of the mind: and therefore I may take to my selfe the confidence to examine the truth of what hee hath spoken. His greatnesse is apparent to every eye; but as for any othereminency, it is so secret a quality, that none as yet hath discovered it; For mine own part I conceive him ra…her beast then bird, and therefore not properly of our …ind. I appeal to his Latin …ame; Struthio-Camelus; wher…n the Camell beares away the p. 12last and best part thereof. And are we put to such a straight, that we must elect an Hermophrodite, a rudiment, which is a measuring case betweene Beast and Fowl: Doth hee not more trust, unto his Leggs to Flee, then unto his Wings to flye, and what I pray is the remarkeable vertue, which commends him to publique notice; hath he any melodious voice whereby to charme the attentions of those that hear him: hath he any extraordinary wit, in which he appears above others of the same society. What if Foolish women, as light perhaps as the Feather they wear, be pleased p. 13to advance his Taile above their heads. What if vainglorious Captaines more known by their Plumes then their performances, deck their crests with the spoil of his wings: all these amount not to argue any reall worth in him. Wee live not in an age to be deluded with showes, or cheated with shadowes. It is enough that our Ancestors have suffered for their …olly herein, with their owne credulity. Reall worth must …e the attractive of our love …nd respect: which being here wanting▪ I utterly disavow his Election for our Soveraign.

The rest of the birds con…urred with the resolution of p. 14the Wren, highly applauding it for the same; which durst speak that which others thought▪ They plainly saw that spirit united in a small bulk, acts most vigorously: and the contracted heat in so small a body prompted the Wren to such lively expressions which bigger birds durst not utter.

Next stood forth the Parrot, insisting largely on it's own… commendation, among the res… of his dexterous faculty, in imitating the speech of Man wherein he exceeded all othe… creatures in the world. And seeing man was the Soveraign o… all the Creation, he conceive… himself (w^ch approached nex… p. 15unto him in his happy expressions) deservedly might claim the Regiment of all birds.

The Daw generally condemned for its loquacity, took upon him to answer the Parrot. Indeed hee began with great disadvantage, none expecting any thing of wi… or worth from him, because hee was so common a Talker, therefore conceived his speech not worthy their attentions, when defeating their expectations, & deceiving them with a harmesse cheat, he thus proceeded.

You have heard the Parrot …ake a large encomium of him…elf, all which must needs bee …rue, because you have heard p. 16his owne credit to avouch it: otherwise me thinks one might justly take the liberty to examine the ground of what hee hath spoken; I will not insist on the aliennesse of his extraction; we living here in Syracus… whilst this Parrot fetcheth hi… Originall from the South o… Africk, or East of Asia. Onel… consider with your selves ho… unfit it is for our free-born spi… rits to submit to a Forrainer assure your selves, forrain Air will bring in forrain inclinations, hee cannot but promot… strangers as his favourites to a places, and preferments of pr… fit and honour, and can t… be digested by such as consu… p. 17the true spirit of an ingenious Birth; For mine own part, I shall rather submit to the tyranny of our own Country, then to the insulting humours of strangers; as expecting that although one of our owne Country may for a time domineere over us; yet the sympathy of blood to those of his own Land, will give a check, and at last gain a Conquest of his passion, that he will return to a favourable reflection, on those who by vicinity of birth and breeding are related unto him.

Now whereas the Parrot boasteth that hee doth so exactly imitate the speech of p. 18Man, it affecteth me no whit at all with admiration thereof. I have heard of a speech of Alexander, who being invited to hear a man that sung like the Nightingale, answered, I scorn to bear him, for I have heard the Nightingale it selfe: and who would admire at the Copie, when hee hath the Original, I have often heard men themselves speak, and therefore am not a whit moved to heare a Parrot speak like a man; Let every thing appear in its owne shape; Men speak the language of Men, Birds of Birds. Hypocrisie is that which hath betrayed the world, to a generall de…usion, thence to destruction, p. 19when people counterfeit the Tongues and Tones of those from whose Hearts they dissent: how many demure people hath this age brought forth, sadly and soberly dropping forth their words, with much affected deliberation (as if all the hearers were bound thereby to believe them as solid, reserved and discreet in Deeds as in their words, when they onelyonly Palliate and cloak a base and unworthy inside under the shadow and pretence of an outward fair representation. I therefore must throw my graines into the Negative scale, and conceive the Parrot utterly unfit for the soveraignty of birds.

p. 20After many debates and disputes, pro and con, plurality of voices at last pitched on the Hauke, as whose extraction was known to be honorable, valour undoubted, providence or foresight admirable, as appeared in the quicknesse of his eyes; being a Prometheus indeed, foreseeing all dangers, and his own advantages of great distance. The Hauke returning his full and fair thanks unto them for their free favour, accepted of their profer, and all their meeting for the present was diminished, onelyonly two birds commanded to stay behind, the Phenix and the Turtle Doye, whom p. 21the Hawk severally accosted, beginning with the former.

Sir, or Mistris Phoenix, saith the Hawk; for I know not in what Gender to addresse my language unto you, in whom both Sexes are jumbled together. I desire to be informed of you, whether that bee a truth, or a long lived common Error, of the manner of your original from the Ashes of your Ancestor, if it be a truth, I stand ready with admiration to embrace and entertaine it: If an errour, I am resolved Posterity shall no longer bee deluded therewith We live in an Age of Knowledge, the Beames whereof have dispelled p. 22those mists of Errour wherewith our Forefather were cheated into the belief of many impossibilities recommended unto them by Tradition, as if the gray Perriwigg… of Old-age should command so much veneration from us, that we should consign up our judgement to the implicite belief of any thing which former Ages have related. Deale therefore openly with me, and informe me the truth, whether your Generation be thus by Continuation of a Miracle.

I cannot resolve you herein, saith the Phoenix, of the particulars of my Extraction, p. 23which happened long before the register of my memory: Sure I am there are no other of my kinde for me to couple with, which demonstrates the truth of that which is generally received: I confesse men make use of me rather for a Moral and an Embleme to denote those things which are rare, and seldome come to passe. Thus, a Court Lord who will honestly pay all his Debts, is accounted a Phoenix: A Judge who will not suffer his Conscience to be robbed by a bribe secretly proffered unto him, is a Phoenix: A Great man who lookes straight forward to the Publique p. 24good, not bound on e… ther side with his own interest is a Phoenix: However assur… your selfe, that besides th… Morality that may be mad… thereof, I have, as you see, real Existence in Nature, an… if any will take the paines t… travel into Arabia to Mech… he shall finde my Nest in a Tre… hanging there almost as Artificially as doth the Tombe o… Mahomet bribed by an invisibl… Loadstone into that miraculous posture thereof.

But now, saith the Hawk suppose I should seise on yo… this night for my supper, whether doe you thinke that th… losse of your life would be s… p. 25great a defect in Nature, that the whole Universe would fare the worse for the same?

Undoubtedly it would, saith the Phoenix, for this is received for an undoubted Maxime amongst Philosophers, that if one whole kinde or species of Creatures be destroyed, the whole world would be ruined thereby: For every kinde of Creatures are so Essential to the well being thereof, that if any one of them be utterly destroyed, all the rest out of sympathy will decay.

I conceive not, saith the Hawk, that you are such a foundation stone in Natures building, that the taking you p. 26away will hazard the whole Architecture thereof. However, I am resolved to put it to the tryal, be it but to gaine knowledge by the experiment▪ I know what Plato saith, That those are the happiest Kingdomes, wherein either their Kings are Philosophers, or their Philosophers their Kings. Seeing therefore the History of Nature is so necessary to an accomplished Governour, I who desire all perfections in that kind, will to satisfie my curiositie make proof thereof.

The Phoenix pleaded for her self the benefit of a Proclamation of liberty to all for three dayes to come and goe with p. 27safety; the Eagle smiling at her silly plea, informing her that such grants are to be kept no farther than they are consistent with the conveniency of those that grant them. Yet for the present the Phoenix was reprieved, because the Hawkes stomach lately gorged, had not as yet recovered his appetite to his supper.

Then the Hawk approached to the Turtle-dove, demanding of her whether it was true or no what passeth for a common truth, that the Turtle if once losing their Mate, never wed more, but passe the remainder of their dolefull dayes in constant widdowhood.

p. 28Most true it is, saith the Turtle, which I may speake by my owne sad experience; for some three vears since, the unhappy shot of a cruel Falk oner deprived me of my deare Husband, since which time I have sequestred my selfe from all company, never appearing in publique till now, forced thereunto by command from Authority.

And surely, I conceive, all second Marriages little better than excusable lust, for when once the heate of youth hath been abated in one Match, none can pretend Necessity of Marrying againe, except it be for quenching those heates p. 29which they themselves willingly and wilfully kindle. Besides, when one hath once really affected a Husband, or he a Wife, affections so ingrosse the whole soul, that notwithstanding his, or her death, it can never admit another to the same degree of dea…nesse. Especially if their love were signed and sealed with Issue, as mine was, having three of both Sexes surviving (…end them better successe than their unhappy Father …ad) so that in them me…hinkes I behold my Husband …till alive. She therefore that …ath not the modesty to d…e …he Relict of one man, will p. 30charge through a whole Arm… of Husbands, if occasion wer… offered, before her love wil… meet with a full stoppe there of.

You are too rigid and s… vere, saith the Hawk, to mak… your personal temper and pr… vate practice the rule to me… sure all other by, unacquainte… with the Necessities of othe… in this kinde. But to co… closer to the matter, I desi… satisfaction in another thing namely, whether you be wit… out a Gall as is commonly r… ported.

I know there is a twofo… knowledge, one by the fru… and the effects which Schol… p. 31call à posteriore, and this is the more fallible & uncertaine, the other à priore from the Causes, and this as more demonstrative may safely be relyed on, I will embrace the latter course, and to assure my selfe whether you have a Gall or no, I meane to make you a living Anatomie, and instantly to insect you. Ocular inspection is the best direction, and I will presently pry into your intrails for my better information, to see with what curiosity Nature hath contrived the things therein, and how many …ittle engines there are to move the wheele of life within you.

p. 32Then beganne the Eagle to dispose himselfe, for Supper, intending the Turtle-dove for the first Course to begin with, and the Phoenix (as the finer flesh) to close his stomack therewith. In preparation wherunto he plumed the Dove of some of her upper Feathers.

Just in the instant as he beganne his prey, who should come in, but he was little expected, and lesse welcome to the Hawk than the old Eagle, and we must a while dwel upon the cause and manner of his inlargement.

This Eagle was, as aforesaid, confined to a Grove, where he p. 33was temperate against his will, as not able to feede on any Fowle. Nature had hung such a Lock upon his Bill, for the Redundancie thereof was such, that hee was capable of no food, save drinke, which hee plentifully powred in; thus for some moneths drinke was all the meate hee tooke, which served to support his life, though not to …ncrease his strength; yet could he not be a good fellow in his Cups, as being solitary by himselfe, having none to keep him company.

At last hee descryed a sharpe Rock, wherein one place white in colour, more prominent p. 34than the rest, had a shining hardnesse therein; to this the Eagle applyes his Bill, and never left off rubbing, grating, and whetting his Beak thereon, untill at last hee quite whetted off the superfluous, yea hurtfull Excrescencie of his Bill, which now reduced to a moderate proportion, was as usefull to all purposes as ever before. Thus enabled to get his prey in few weekes, he recruited his strength, so that what the Poets tell of Medea, that with her inchanted Baths made her Father-in-law young againe, here truly came to passe: And now the New old Eagle hearing in what Quarters p. 35the Hawke kept his constant residence, thought on a sudden to have surprised him, had not the other discovered his approach, and made a seasonable escape, whereby both Turtle and Phoenix obtained their liberty, and securely returned unto their owne Nests.

The Hawke having made an escape, posted with all speed to the Lapwinge, which with some difficulty he found out, and privacie being obtained, thus kindly spake unto him.

Friend Lapwing, I have taken notice, that you are one of the most subtilest, and politick Bird in all our Commonwealth; p. 36you have the art so to cover your intentions, that they are not obvious to common eyes, when your Egges or young ones be a mile at distance, you use to flutter with your winges, and fetch your rounds and circles a great way off, as if you intended to broo… that place with your wings, or as if that were the Chest wherein your Treasure was deposited; this makes many people to search there for your young ones, but are frustrated of their hopes; you have insecured them farre off; this lawfull Simulation, I conceive a commendable and necessary quality in every great person; p. 37it is as necessary as breath to their well being: Should men play all above board, and expose their actions to all Spectators, Folly and Wisdome would bee both of a rate. No, it is the hanging of such Curtaines and Traverses before our Deeds which keep up our Reputation, and enable us for great performances. Now I request you help me a little in my extremity, the renewed Eagle is in pursuit of me, and my safety lyeth much at your disposall. The Lapwing promised the utmost of his endeavours, and desired the Hawk to proceed.

See you, saith the Hawk, p. 38yonder empty Cage of great receipt, so that it might serve for an Aviarie, for which it was first intended, though since disused, when the Eagle flying this way enquireth after me, perswade him I am flowne into the Cage, and leave the rest to my performance.

All was acted accordingly, the Eagle demanded what was become of the Hawk? the Lapwing returned, Here 'tis, here 'tis, and then hovered over the Cage, fetching so many compasses thereabouts, that one might have mistaken him for some …njurer, making his many Circles with intent to raise up some spirit thereabouts: p. 39The Eagle violently flyes into the Cage, whose doores stood open, triumphing in his owne happinesse, that now he should be revenged on his profest Enemy. Instantly the Hawk (who stood behinde unseen in a place of advantage) clapps an Iron Padlock on the Cage, and thus insulteth over the Prisoner.

Me thinkes, Sir Eagle, you make mee call to minde the condition of Bajazet the Great Turk, whom Tamberlan tooke captive, and carried him about the Country, that all people might feed their gazing eyes upon him; such a spectacle p. 40are you this day; I have now made an Owle of the Eagle, turned him into the ridiculous object of laughter and contempt: Tell me, doe you not want a Prometheus, to feed upon his fruitfull entrails as the Poets feigne, which daily increased, and afforded the Poets Eagle both Common and Festivals. Sir, your life shall not bee vented out at once, but you shall dye many deaths, with long lingering torments: I will order it so that you shall feele your self to dye: There is no Musick in an Enemies death, which is not accompanyed with torment; and though no outward p. 41torture shall be inflicted upon you, yet know, that thirst and hunger shall be your two Executioners. Now the Guiltlesse blood of so many Birds and innocent Lambs, and hurtlesse Hares shall bee required of you; and so I leave you till to morrow, when I meane to make a new meal of you in scorn and contempt.

The Eagle sadly, yet stoutly auswered, my courage shall not abate with my condition, whose spirit is planted above the battery of Fortune, I will never be lesse than my selfe, whatsoever befalls me. A Lyon is no lesse a Lyon, though in a p. 42grate; Mischance, may make me miserable, it shall not make me base, I will beare my troubles with as much chearfulnesse as I may, I defie thy spleene in triumphing over me.

After the Hawkes departure, the Ostrich came in the place, whom the Eagle saw unseen, and wishly marked his postures and motions. The Ostrich fell into a strange passion, and would you know the reason thereof, it was as followeth.

Some three dayes since, when hee first repaired to the generall meeting of the Birds, he left his Egges in the sand, p. 43not covering them over, such his carelesnesse and incogitancie; it was in a Starre-light night, wherein he took a mark for the finding of his Egges by such a Sta…re, under the direct position whereof he then hid them, and hoped to finde them at his returne. It happened that the Starre being turned about with the circumgyration of the heavens, which continue in constant motion, the Ostrich lost the Starre by which hee thought to find his Egges, and though very neare the place wandering up and downe, and could not light upon it, which made him breake forth into this p. 44passionate complaints.

I am the unfortunatest of all Fowles: How will all condemne mee for an unnaturall Parent, who have been thus carelesse of mine owne Issue? Yet I tooke as good notice of the place as I could, all things in Earth are false, and fading, and flitting away: I had thought there had been more faithfulnesse in the Heavens, more assurance in the Skies. Let never the Indians worship Stars again, when they are guilty of so much deceit.

How comes it to passe, that the Pole-Starre is so perfect a guide and direction to the Mariner, that it may be tearmed p. 45the grand Pilot of all Shippes, by the Elevation, or Depression whereof, they infallibly collect in the darkest nights whereabouts they steer. I say, how comes that Starre to be so true to its trust, to be so true a Conductor of wandering Saylors, and this prove so false to me? And now will Posterity …and me for unnaturalnesse, who have exposed my Egges to such dange… though therein all caution was used by mee to the height of my discretion. More would shee have spoken when griefe silenced her; for as those Rivers are shallow which make a noyse, whilst the deepest p. 46streames are tongue-tyed; s… those passions which ven… themselves in words, discove… their bottome of no great depth.

Meane time the Eagle looked through the species, or entervalls in the Cage, and so excellent the sight thereof he easily discerned where th… Egges lay, the O…rich being so near, that he almost crushed them with his own feet, wherefore calling the Ostrich unto him, I am glad, saith he, that in my misery I have the occasion to oblige any; I can tel… you where the Treasure is tha… you seek for, and presently directed him to the same.

p. 47The Ostrich was not so over-joyed with its own happinesse; but that he bethought himselfe how to returne proportionable thankes to the Eagle, in order whereunto he set his Bill against the Iron Padlock of the …age, and according to the voraciousness of his stomack quite devoured the same.

Let privy Councellors of Nature enter into this deep Discourse, how it is possible for such a solid, and substantial thing as Iron is, to become food to a Fowle, let them, I say, beate their braines about this Question harder than Iron, and if they find the true p. 48reason thereof, I shall preferre their Ingenuity as stronger than the stomack of an Ostrich; meane time we will be content to rest in the vulgar report, and are satisfied to admire what we cannot understand in such cases wherein surely there are some hidden, and occult qualities, too deep for men to dive into, and these betray a surly and base disposition, which will beleeve nothing (though Authentically attested by never so many witnesses) whereof they are unable to render the true reason, as if Nature could do… nothing but what shee giv… them an account of how shee doth it.

p. 49The Eagle th…s restored to liber…y, returned hea…y thanks to …he Ostrich. You see, saith he, there is no living in this world without bartering and exchanging of C…tesies one to another; he that lendeth to day may borrow to morrow, how happy would Mankinde bee, if the Wall of Envie were pluckt downe betwixt them, and their parts so layd in Common, that the wealth of one might supply the wants of another; Nature hath inriched me with a quick Sight thee with a strong Dige…n▪ I have restored thy Egges to thee, you have restored me to my selfe, liberty being the life p. 50of life; and this I thought fit to testifie unto thee, though hot in the pursuit of my Enemy; first to thanke thee, then punish him: I will not bee guilty of so preposterous a Soul, that my Revenge shall get the speede of my Gratitude.

This done, the Eagle in full Quest of the Hawke, discovereth a company of Birds together, being a great party whom the Peacock had assembled, with hope to intice them to choose him their Chiefe; for the Hawke no where appearing, and the enlargement of the Eagle being unknown, he thus endeavoured p. 51by his Rhethoricall slourishes to make himself popular in their affections.

I am not ignorant, that such men proclaime their own weaknesse, who are the Herald of their owne praise; it argueth a great dearth of desert, and want of worth, when one is large in his own commendation, however sometimes necessity makes it law…ull, especially when what is spoken is so generally known, that it commandeth the way to its own belief, and carrieth the credit about it, give me leave to present my person and merits to your consideration; my bulke not so great p. 52as the Ostrich like to bee a burden to it selfe, yet not so little as any way to invite neglect: A good presence is requisite in a Commander, otherwise great parts crowded in a despicable person, no whit becomes one in Authority. I will give you but one argument, or demonstration rather of my Worth: When the Gods had the free choice of all the Birds which they would please to make their Attendants in ordinary, and when Jove made choice of the Eagle, as most Emperiall, Juno, his Consort, was pleased to elect me, to be called by the name of her Bird in all passages p. 53of Poetry. Thus am I next to the best, and but one steppe removed from the Top, even by those infallible judgements.

Looke, I pray, upon my Traine, how it is Circular, the most capable Forme, and how it is distinguished with variety of Colours, which appeareth as so many earthly Rainebowes in my Feathers. Ovid hath reported, that Argus his hundred eyes were turned into them. But know you, if you please to elect me to be your Chiefe, that all those eyes shall daily and hourely watch & ward for your good, I will have a constant oversight p. 54of your welfare.

It was conceived, that the Peacock intended a longer Oration, which would have wearied the assembly with the Prolixity thereof, had he not casually, but happily cast down his eyes on his black legs, the ugly hew therof so abated his Pride, that it put a period to his Harangue before his intent, and others expectation. Now as the Vulture was tuning his tongue to return an answer, in cometh the Eagle, and is generally received with all joyfull acclamations.

Now because Clemencie is the badge of a generous nature, p. 55and those that have most courage have least crueltie, at the mediation of some potent Birds, the Eagle condescended, that the day of his Re-inauguration should not be stained with blood, and therefore granted life to the Hawk, but on condition, not to exceed the Grove in which formerly himself was imprisoned.

FINIS.