Page:Hours Spent in Prison.djvu/47

 Suddenly into the cleft, where the snake was resting, a hawk fell from the sky, with torn breast, and much wounded.

With a broken cry he fell upon the ground, and in a great fury dashed his breast against some hard stones.

The snake, being frightened, crept away, but soon understood that the bird could only live a few minutes.

Then he crept near him, and looking into his eyes hissed loudly:

“What is the matter with you, are you dying?”

“It matters not that I die,” answers the hawk, sighing heavily. “But I have been living beautifully. I have experienced great happiness! I have fought manfully! I have seen the sky. You will not see the sky so near as I did. I pity you very much!”

“What has the sky for me? It is only the vacuity. Upon what could I creep