The Nuptial Flight 



to no eternal intellect, where his desire 

 for the better could attain no actual 

 good.' 



" Once more, for the spectacle to absorb 

 us, there is no need of progress. The 

 enigma suffices ; and that enigma is as 

 great, and shines as mysteriously, in the 

 peasants as in ourselves. As we trace life 

 back to its all-powerful principle, it con- 

 fronts us on every side. To this principle 

 each succeeding century has given a new 

 name. Some of these names were clear 

 and consoling. It was found, however, 

 that consolation and clearness were alike 

 illusory. But whether we call it God, 

 Providence, Nature, chance, life, fatality, 

 spirit, or matter, the mystery remains un- 

 altered ; and from the experience of thou- 

 sands of years we have learned nothing 

 more than to give it a vaster name, one 

 nearer to ourselves, more congruous with 

 our expectation, with the unforeseen. 

 343 



