Chapter XII. (Sermo VIII.)
He imagines birds flying away from his memory, to which he elegantly recalls his speech. He says that his audience will give him their attention, but he will give them brevity. Finally, he desires the sweetness of various birds.
36. And when he had paused for a moment, he resumed the conversation and said: Beloved brothers, we had escaped into a necessary discussion about the nature of birds, and this kind of conversation had flown away with the birds themselves. For it happens by a certain nature that those who look at something, or want to express it in speech, take on the quality of the things they either look at or speak about; so when we linger with the sluggish, and when we are carried away with the swift by sight, we also use a slower or faster style of speech. Therefore, while I am careful not to pass over submerged things in the sea and to avoid being concealed by waters, I escape from every flying creature; for while I search the lowest whirlpools of the waters, I do not look up to the aerial flights; nor did the shadow of a passing bird divert me, which could have shone in the waters. But when I thought that every task was completed, and I believed that I had finished, and I considered the fifth day to be completed; the nature of birds came to mind, which, when they go to sleep, are accustomed to soothe the air happily with their song, as if they were renewing the duties solemnly with the rising and setting of the day; so that after completing or beginning the night, they may give thanks to their Creator according to the praises of both night and day, at their own appointed time. Therefore, I had lost a great incentive for arousing our devotion. For who, possessing the sense of a human being, would not blush to end the day without the celebration of the psalms, when even the tiniest birds continue the rising and setting of days and nights with solemn devotion and sweet song.
37. Therefore, let the fleeting conversation return to us, which had almost flown out of sight, and as the eagle seeking its high flight had obscured it with clouds; unless because our eyes, having been washed with water while we were lifting them from the abyss to heaven, observed that the void of air was being traversed by the wings of birds, we thought it necessary to recall it for the purpose of the pen. You will be the judges, who are bird-catchers of words, whether it would have flown out more wisely, or whether it has fallen usefully into your nets. And I do not fear that weariness will creep upon us in searching for flying creatures that did not creep in searching through the depths; or that anyone will fall asleep in our discussion, when they can be awakened by the songs of birds. But surely whoever has watched the silent fishes, I doubt that they cannot feel sleep among the singing birds, when they are provoked to stay awake by such a reason. Nor shall it be considered insignificant, that it was able to be passed over, since it is the third part of living creatures. For it is not doubtful that there are three kinds of animals, terrestrial, flying, and aquatic. Finally, it is written: Let the waters bring forth reptiles of living creatures according to their kind, and flying creatures that fly above the earth under the firmament of heaven according to their kind.
38. We are called back to our previous actions like forgetful travelers, who, when they pass by without thought, upon returning to their own carelessness, undertake the punishment of their journey's labor. However, there is also a good traveler, who compensates for the loss of going back by the quick speed of the remaining journey, which I think should be done; especially since we are talking about birds, which are accustomed to glaring at the eyes of people who move too fast. What indeed is suitable for them to linger, in which swiftness is accustomed to please? Therefore, our speech, uncommon and unusual in such a genre of writing, may resound and echo with melodious birds.
39. But where can I find the swan songs that even in the heavy fear of impending death delight me? Where can I find those natural melodies of song, from which even the resounding marshes emit the sweetest harmony? Where can I find the voice of the parrot and the sweetness of the blackbirds? If only the nightingale would sing, to awaken me from my sleep! For that bird is accustomed to herald the dawn of the rising day, and to bring forth a more abundant joy at daybreak. However, even if their sweetness is lacking, there are cooing turtles, and hoarse doves, and even a crow calls for rain with a loud voice. Therefore, let us pursue the rural aviary in the language and knowledge that the countryside has taught us.