n."

'In spite of all her objections, however, the she-partridge agreed at
last to accompany her husband to the court of the eagle. They started
together, travelled for some time, arrived at his abode, and made
their obeisance to a courtier whose name was Yuyu, whom the male
partridge addressed as follows: "Most noble lord, we are denizens of
an adjoining mountain, where we lived happily till his majesty the
eagle crushed all our hopes by making his appearance on our mountain
with his court of birds of prey, destroyed our young on several
successive occasions, and reduced us to despair. I proposed to my wife
to emigrate, and she at last consented, so that we have now arrived
here and placed ourselves under the wings of your protection."' Yuyu
was pleased with these words, and replied: "I bid you welcome, and
approve of your sagacity which induced you to seek a refuge at the
court of our most noble sovereign. I must, however, tell you that
although his disposition is righteous, he feeds upon the meat of
animals, but when the weak and helpless crave his mercy, or implore
his aid, he seldom disappoints them; those, on the contrary, who
oppose or endeavour to deceive him must be prepared to fall under his
wrath. He is honest and veracious, because he lives in solitude, and
keeps aloof from intercourse with mankind, because all agree that the
society of men crushes out all good qualities, and is productive of
misery. You may now arise, and seek an audience from his majesty,
because the opportunity will not present itself often. When you enter
and make your obeisance you must watch his humour, which will be
excellent if he has been successful in the chase. Then you will behold
him social and chatting with his courtiers, whilst the nightingale,
the heron, and other birds are singing and dancing for his amusement,
and you can then introduce the subject of your petition. But if you
behold him sitting dumb, with bloodshot eyes, or in an angry mood, say
nothing if you value your life, and in any case, if you should
perceive that silence is best, do not venture to speak."

'After this advice the partridge flew with Yuyu up to a lofty peak of
the mountain, and alighted in a beautiful garden, fragrant with the
perfume of flowers, where the eagle was sitting with his court, which
consisted of birds of every species. Then Yuyu presented himself
before his majesty, and craved an audience for the partridge, which,
having been granted,