THE ORIGIN OF THE HAWK 



Itys and her family's dishonor. Progne sought refuge under 

 the eaves of houses, whence she ever darts forth at twilight to 

 seek among others of her kind the reincarnated spirit of the 

 slain Itys; and though she vainly tries to tell her story in 

 song, her mutilated tongue yields only brief twitterings, 

 while on her breast she still bears the red stain of her crime. 

 Tereus, as a hawk, with armed face and close-clutching 

 grasp, is ever either pursuing or hovering in the air, awaiting 

 an opportunity for revenge upon the smaller birds, who to 

 him are the fleeing daughters of Pandion.^ 



121 



