VII.

I saw the bird that can the sun endure With feeble wings assay to mount on hight; By more and more she gan her wings t’assure, Following th’ensample of her mothers sight. I saw her rise, and with a larger flight To pierce the cloudes, and with wide pinneons To measure the most haughtie* mountaines hight, Untill she raught** the gods owne mansions. There was she lost; when suddaine I behelde, Where, tumbling through the ayre in firie fold, All flaming downe she on the plaine was felde, And soone her bodie turn’d to ashes colde. I saw the foule that doth the light dispise Out of her dust like to a worme arise. [* _Haughtie_, lofty.] [** _Raught_, reached.] [VII. 1-14.— “A falcon, tow’ring in her pride of place, Was by a mousing owl hawk’d at and kill’d.” C.]