The Nuptial Flight 
Once more, he has not the slightest desire 
to abandon his human ideal. That even 
which at first diverts him from this ideal 
teaches him to return to it. It were im- 
possible for Nature to give ill advice to a 
man who declines to include, in the great 
scheme he is endeavouring to grasp, and 
declines to regard as sufficiently lofty to be 
definitive, any truth that is not at least as 
lofty as the truth he himself desires. Noth- 
ing shifts its place in his life save only 
to rise with him; and he knows he is rising 
_ when he finds himself drawing near to his 
ancient image of good. But all things 
transform themselves more freely in his 
thoughts; and he can descend with im- 
punity, for he has the presentiment that 
numbers of successive valleys will lead him 
to the plateau that he expects. And, while 
he thus seeks for conviction, while his 
researches even conduct him to the very 
reverse of what he loves, he directs his 
conduct by the most humanly beautiful 
truth, and clings to the one that provision- 
ally seems to be highest. All that may add 
to beneficent virtue enters his heart at once; 
255 
