The Nuptial Flight 
nearer when they admire. And whatever 
the heights may be whereon they rejoice, 
this rejoicing can never take place in the 
void, or above the unknown and eternal 
truth that rests over all things like beauty 
in suspense. 
92 
Does this mean that we should attach 
ourselves to falsehood, to an unreal and 
factitious poetry, and find our gladness 
therein for want of anything better? Or 
that in the example before us—in itself 
nothing, but we dwell on it because it stands 
for a thousand others, as also for our entire 
attitude in face of divers orders of truths— 
that here we should ignore the physiological 
explanation, and retain and taste only the 
emotions of this nuptial flight, which is 
yet, and whatever the cause, one of the 
most lyrical, most beautiful acts of that 
suddenly disinterested, irresistible force, 
which all living creatures obey, and are 
wont to call love? That were too childish ; 
nor is it possible, thanks to the excellent 
habits every loyal mind has to-day acquired. 
265 
