But the nightingale, another of my airy creatures, breathes
such sweet loud music out of her little instrumental throat,
that it might make mankind to think miracles are not ceased.
He that at midnight, when the very labourer sleeps securely,
should hear, as I have very often, the clear airs, the sweet
descants, the natural rising and falling, the doubling and redoubling
of her voice, might well be lifted above earth, and say, Lord,
what music hast thou provided for the saints in heaven, when
thou affordest bad men such music on earth!
And this makes me the less to wonder at the many aviaries in
Italy, or at the great charge of Varro's aviary, the ruins of
which are yet to be seen in Rome, and is still so famous there,
that it is reckoned for one of those notables which men of foreign
nations either record, or lay up in their memories when they
return from travel.
This for the birds of pleasure, of which very much more might
be said. My next shall be of birds of political use; I think
'tis not to be doubted that swallows have been taught to carry
letters between two armies. But 'tis certain that when the Turks
beseiged Malta or Rhodes, I now remember not when it was, pigeons
are then related to carry and recarry letters; and Mr. G. Sandys,
in his "Travels," relates it to be done betwixt Aleppo
and Babylon. But if that be disbelieved, it is not to be doubted
that the dove was sent out of the ark by Noah, to give him notice
of land, when to him all appeared to be sea, and the dove proved
a faithful and comfortable messenger. And for the sacrifices
of the law, a pair of turtle-doves, or young pigeons, were as
well accepted as costly bulls and rams. And when God would feed
the prophet Elijah, 1 Kings xvii. 46, after a kind of miraculous
manner, he did it by ravens, who brought him meat morning and
evening. Lastly, the Holy Ghost, when he descended visibly upon
our Saviour, did it by assuming the shape of a dove. And, to
conclude this part of my discourse, pray remember these wonders
which were done by birds of the air, the element in which they,
and I take so much pleasure.
