The Nuptial Flight 
While she lives in their midst the lovers 
about her know not what she is. They 
seek her in space, in the remote depths of 
the horizon, never suspecting that they have 
but this moment quitted her, have shared 
the same comb with her, have brushed 
against her, perhaps, in the eagerness of 
their departure. One might almost be- 
lieve that those wonderful eyes of theirs, 
that cover their head as though with a 
glittering helmet, do not recognise or de- 
sire her save when she soars in the blue. 
Each day, from noon till three, when the 
sun shines resplendent, this plumed horde 
sallies forth in search of the bride, who is 
indeed more royal, more difficult of con- 
quest, than the most inaccessible princess 
of fairy legend; for twenty or thirty tribes 
will hasten from all the neighbouring cities, 
her court thus consisting of more than 
ten thousand suitors; and from these ten 
thousand one alone will be chosen for the 
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