230 ADVENTURES AMONG BIRDS 



after a brief pause, renews and redoubles his puny 

 efforts; and at last, taken out of himself, dashes from 

 side to side, until the suspended cage is shaken with 

 his passion. 



Ah, my birdling, cries lovely Phyllis, astonished and 

 grieved at the spectacle, what a poor return you are 

 making me! How badly this temper fits you! — how 

 unlike your gentle twittering this new sharpness in your 

 voice which wounds me! But I know the cause too 

 well! Fear not, dear bird, to alienate my love — that I 

 shall forget in this your rebellious moment the charm 

 that made you precious, and charge you with ingratitude 

 and in anger and disdain thrust you from my sight. 

 For what avails my solicitude and affection — what does 

 it matter that with my own hands I supply you with 

 food and drink and a hundred delicate morsels besides; 

 that with my fingers I tenderly caress you; that I kiss 

 you with my lips? It is nothing that you are dear 

 to me, that my chief delight is in listening to your 

 sweet lively trills and twitterings, since I am but your 

 gaoler who holds you from that free air which is your 

 home and the sweet mate you would be with ! No, you 

 cannot be glad; nor is it possible you should not fear 

 the hand that ministers to your wants, since it is the 

 same hand that has cruelly hurt you and may hurt you 

 again with a yet closer, more barbarous confinement. 



Alas, I know your pain, for I too am a captive and 

 lament my destiny, and though the bonds that hold me 

 are woven with flowers I feel their weight and they 

 wound me none the less. Left an orphan early in life. 



