232 ADVENTURES AMONG BIRDS 



You shall not open them in vain — your pleadings have 

 pierced my heart. You shall go, my beloved bird — 

 you shall go in peace. My love can no longer deny you 

 the boon desired so ardently — so easily bestowed! Go, 

 and know the happiness which freedom gives, which 

 is now yours, but can nevermore, alas! be mine. 



So saying, Phyllis opens the cage and sets it free. 

 Away it flies ; tears burst forth at the sight ; with misty 

 eyes she watches it winging its way through the air 

 till its little form is lost in the distance; and gazing 

 still, for one sweet moment has the illusion that she, too, 

 has flown, following it, that she too has recovered her 

 lost liberty. 



