194 



ADVENTURES AMONG BIRDS 



movements of their lithe and powerful frames, as of 

 tigers; the ringing blows on shield and steel, and the 

 end when they are down, their shields shattered and 

 weapons broken, their bodies hacked and pierced, their 

 spilt blood spreading and mingling in one pool ! 



To such a fighter, slain in such a fight, what else was 

 there in the world to talk about! She, and her passion 

 and everlasting grief for her slain lover — it was not 

 worth a thought! The fight was the thing, and she 

 must listen in silence to the story of it — she, the last 

 human listener he would ever have. 



Suddenly the torrent of speech is arrested; the voice 

 of the blackbird "sweet and soft and peaceful," comes 

 to them out of the darkness. Hark! he cries to her 

 before vanishing for ever from her sight, 



I hear the dusky ouzel send a joyous greeting to the faithful, 

 My speech, my shape, are spectral — hush, woman, do not speak 

 to me! 



