|
Page 3 of 5 THE EAGLE
Nature
I will make known to you the nature of the eagle, as I
read about it in a book ; how he renews his youth and how
he emerges from old age when his limbs are unwieldy and
his beak all twisted, and his flight is weak and his eyes
dim ; hear how he recreates himself. He seeks a well
which springs up ever, both by night and by day ; over
that he flies, and up he soars until he passes through the
sixth and the seventh skies and reaches heaven, and hovers
as close as he can to the sun. The sun scorches his wings
and makes his eyes bright ; his feathers fall out because
of the heat, and he falls down then into the water to the
bottom of the well, where he becomes whole and sound
and comes out all new, except that his beak is crooked.
Since his beak is twisted, though his limbs are strong, he
cannot procure food for himself. Then he goes to a stone
and strikes his beak on it and continues to strike it until
his beak loses all its crookedness, and at once with his
straight bill he seizes what food he likes.
Signification
Man is like unto the eagle, — if you will listen, — old in
his secret sins, ere he becomes a Christian. Before he had
considered his sins his eyes were murky. Thus he may
renew himself if he goes to church, and, there renouncing
103
104 BESTIARY
Satan and every sinful deed, betakes himself to Jesus Christ,
who will be his reward. He believes in our Lord Christ,
and learns the teachings of the priest, and the mist departs
from his eyes while he lingers there. His hope is all fixed
upon God, and he learns of His love which, like the sun,
again restores his sight. Naked he falls in the font, and
comes out all new, except for one little thing. What is
that ? His mouth is still untrue, his mouth is still unfamiliar
with pater noster and creed. If he goes north or if he
goes south he will soon discover his need ; he will beg a
favor from God and thus will make his mouth perfect ; so
may he gain his soul's food, through the grace of our Lord.
|