“The Ruthful forbiddeth the eating of me * And His Grace doth
     grace me with clemency: 
A Camel am I whom they overload * And the Birder is daft when my
     flesh seeth he: 
Prom Solomon’s breed, O my God, I have hope:  * If he kill me the
     Ruthful his drowning[FN#303] decree.’?

Then quoth the Fowl to the Fowler, “An thou design to slaughter me in thy greed even as thou hast described, verily I shall avail thee naught, but an thou work my weal and set me free I will show thee somewhat shall profit thee and further the fortunes of thy sons’ sons and thy latest descendants.”  “What is that direction thou wouldst deal to me?” asked the Fowler, and answered the Fowl-let, “I will teach a trio of words all wise and will discover to thee in this earth a Hoard wherewith thou and thy seed and posterity shall ever be satisfied and shall ever pray for the lengthening of my years.  Moreover I will point out to thee a pair of Falcons ashen-grey, big of body and burly of bulk who are to me true friends and whom thou didst leave in the gardens untrapped.”  Asked the Birder, “And what be the three words which so savour of wisdom?” and answered the other “O Fowler, the three words of wisdom are:—­Bemourn not what is the past nor at the future rejoice too fast nor believe aught save that whereon thy glance is cast.  But as regards the Hoard and the two Falcons, when thou shalt have released me I will point them out to thee and right soon to thee shall be shown the sooth of whatso I have said to thee.”  Hereat the Birder’s heart became well affected toward the Birdie for his joy anent the Treasure and the Falcons; and the device of the captive deceived the Capturer and cut short his wits so that he at once released the prey.  Forthright the Fowl-let flew forth the Fowler’s palm in huge delight at having saved his life from death; then, after preening his plume and spreading his pinions and his wings, he laughed until he was like to fall earthwards in a fainting fit Anon he began to gaze right and left, long breaths a drawing and increase of gladness ever a showing; whereupon quoth the Birder, “O Father of Flight, O thou The Wind hight! what saidst thou to me anent pointing out the two Falcons ashen-grey and who were the comrades thou leftest in the gardens?” Quoth the Birdie in reply, “slack and alas! never saw I thy like for an ass nor aught than thyself meaner of capacity nor mightier of imbecility; for indeed thou carries” in thy head lightness and in thy wits slackness.  O Scant of Sense, when sawest thou ever a sparrow company with a Falcon, much less with two Falcons?  So short is thine understanding that I have escaped thy hand by devising the simplest device which my nous and knowledge suggested.”  Hereat he began to improvis and repeat: 

“When Fortune easy was, from duty[FN#304] didst forbear * Nor
     from that malady[FN#305] hast safety or repair: 
Then blame thyself nor cast on other wight[FN#306] the fault *
     And lacking all excuse to death of misery fare!”