IN PROVERBS AND RIDDLES iii 



away, the nest remains empty." When they 

 wish to say in metaphor that a successful 

 home is one for which both husband and wife 

 labor, they have "this : " When both swallows 

 fetch mud, the nest is soon made," and when 

 they warn a friend not to expect the impos- 

 sible, they say to him : " Never look for eagles 

 in a swallow's nest." Affection for the bird 

 and their own proverbial hospitality the 

 people of the Fatherland make plain in this 

 proverb : " One swallow and a guest bring 

 good luck into the house." 



The ceaseless chatter of swallows is sug- 

 gestive of the endless tattle of gossips, and 

 is the inspiration of a group of proverbs 

 aimed against this idle and harmful habit. 

 " Do not receive swallows into your house," 

 said old Aristotle, and so say the modern 

 Italians, meaning that you should not make 

 friends of persons who cannot bridle their 

 tongue. The Germans remark of one who 

 talks too much : " He went to school to the 

 swallows." " Swallows come chattering to 



