Page:Gesta Romanorum - Swan - Wright - 1.djvu/263

Rh bird, continually sitting on her nest, in which are seven eggs. While she is thus employed, the sea is tranquil; but if she happen to quit her nest, storm and tempest immediately succeed; insomuch, that they who would venture upon the ocean, are certain to be cast away. On the other hand, as long as she sits upon the eggs, whoever goes to sea, will go and return in safety."—"But," said they, "how shall we ascertain when the bird is on her nest, and when she is not?" He replied, "She never quits her nest, except on some particular emergency. For there is another bird, exceedingly hostile to her, laboring day and night to defile her nest, and break the eggs. Now, the bird of the nest, when she sees her eggs broken, and her nest fouled, instantly flies away possessed with the greatest grief; then, the sea rages and the winds become very boisterous. At that time, you ought especially to avoid putting out of port." The people made answer, "But, master, what remedy is there for this? How shall we prevent the unfriendly bird from approaching the other's nest, and so pass safely over the