A fair young fowl; then further still It increaseth in stature, till in strength it is like To a full-grown eagle, and after that With feathers fair as at first it was, 240 Brightly blooming. Then the bird grows strong, Regains its brightness and is born again, Sundered from sin, somewhat as if One should fetch in food, the fruits of the earth, Should haul it home at harvest time, 245 The fairest of corn ere the frosts shall come At the time of reaping, lest the rain in showers Strike down and destroy it; a stay they have ready A feast of food, when frost and snow With their mighty coursing cover the earth 250 In winter weeds; the wealth of man From those fair fruits shall flourish again Through the nature of grain, which now in the ground Is sown as clear seed; then the sun's warm rays In time of spring sprouts the life germ, 255 Awakes the world's riches so that wondrous fruits, The treasures of earth, by their own kind Are brought forth again: that bird changeth likewise, Old in his years, to youth again, With fair new flesh; no food nor meat 260 He eateth on the earth save only a taste Of fine honey-dew which falleth often In the middle of night; the noble fowl Thus feedeth and groweth till he flieth again To his own domain, to his ancient dwelling. IV