THE NIGHT. 



173 



sun, and at evening faithfully congregate to watch it setting 



Scottish shores. Towards evening, 



the heath-cock, that he may see 



it longer, stands on tiptoe and 



balances himself on the branch of 



the tallest willow." 



Light, love, and song, have for 

 them but one meaning. If you 

 would have the captive nightingale 

 sing when it is not the season of 

 his loves, cover up his cage, then 

 suddenly let in the light upon him, 

 and he recovers his voice. The 

 unfortunate chaffinch, blinded by 

 barbarous hands, sings with a 

 despairing and sickly animation, 

 creating for himself the light of 

 harmony with his voice, becoming a 

 sun unto himself in his internal fire. 



I would willingly believe, that 

 this is the chief inspiration of the 

 bird's song in our gloomy climates, 

 where the sun appears only in vivid 

 flashes. In comparison with those 

 brilliant zones where he never quits 

 the horizon, our countries, veiled 

 in mist and cloud, but glowing at 

 intervals, have exactly the effect of 

 the cage, first covered, and then 

 exposed, of the imprisoned night- 

 ingale. They provoke the strain, 

 and, like light, awaken bursts of 

 harmony. 



Even the bird's flight is influenced by it. 



Flight depends on the 



