26 



THE PEREGRINE FALCON. 



in those times, distinguished persons of high 

 rank, of both sexes, from their inferiors ; which is 

 a sufficient proof that their fondness for, and 

 frequent use of that bird, was universally known. 

 So great a value did the princes and nobility of 

 Europe, in that period, set upon their hawks, 

 that they constantly carried them with them in 

 all their journies, and sometimes into battle; and 

 would not part with them, even to procure their 

 own liberty when they were taken prisoners. 

 The truth is, to resign his hawk was one of the 

 most dishonourable actions of which a nobleman 

 could be guilty, and was considered a voluntary 

 resignation of his nobility."* 



THE SONG OF THE FALCON. 



Time was, when fettered with jesses and hood, 



Compelled to share in the sports of men, 

 In the presence of princes and warriors I stood, 

 And they called rne the noble falcon then. 



With ladies and knights I followed the chase, 

 And they deemed that mine was a noble race. 



Where the monarch lived in his royal towers, 



Where the chieftain dwelt with his warlike crew, 

 Where the fair ladies sat in their courtly bowers, 

 There ever the falcon and merlin flew. 



With the brave and the lovely I followed the chase, 

 And they said that mine was a noble race. 



Henry's History of Great Britain. 



