A NIGHTINGALE, sitting aloft upon an oak and singing according to

　　his wont1, was seen by a Hawk2 who, being in need of food, swooped

　　down and seized him. The Nightingale, about to lose his life,

　　earnestly begged the Hawk to let him go, saying that he was not

　　big enough to satisfy the hunger of a Hawk who, if he wanted

　　food, ought to pursue the larger birds. The Hawk, interrupting

　　him, said: "I should indeed have lost my senses if I should let

　　go food ready in my hand, for the sake of pursuing birds which

　　are not yet even within sight."