THE ITALIAN CRICKET 135 



disposal of one and all. The probable, even the 

 extremely probable, is not the obvious, the evident, 

 which forces itself irresistibly and leaves no room for 

 doubt. * 



But in your company, O my Crickets, I feel the thrill 

 of life, the soul of our native lump of earth ; and for 

 this reason, as I lean against the hedge of rosemary, 

 I bestow only an absent glance upon the constellation 

 of Cygnus, but give all my attention to your serenade. 

 A little animated slime, capable of pleasure and pain, 

 surpasses in interest the universe of dead matter. 



