" To
escape from the tower in the day, when every one was awake, might be a
difficult matter; but at night the palace was slightly guarded; for no
one apprehended any attempt of the kind from the prince, who had
always been so passive in his captivity. How was he to guide
himself, however, in his darkling flight, being ignorant of the
country?
He bethought him of the owl, who was accustomed to roam at night,
and must know every by-lane and secret pass. Seeking him in his
hermitage, he questioned him touching his knowledge of the land.
Upon this the owl put on a mighty self-important look. "You must know,
O prince," said he, "that we owls are of a very ancient and
extensive family, though rather fallen to decay, and possess ruinous
castles and palaces in all parts of Spain. There is scarcely a tower
of the mountains, or a fortress of the plains, or an old citadel of
a city, but has some brother or uncle, or cousin, quartered in it; and
in going the rounds to visit this my numerous kindred, I have pryed
into every nook and corner, and made myself acquainted with every
secret of the land."
The prince was overjoyed to find the owl so deeply versed in
topography, and now informed him, in confidence, of his tender passion
and his intended elopement, urging him to be his companion and
counsellor.
"Go to!" said the owl, with a look of displeasure; "am I a bird to
engage in a love affair? I whose whole time is devoted to meditation
and the moon?"
"Be not offended, most solemn owl," replied the prince; "abstract
thyself for a time from meditation and the moon, and aid me in my
flight, and thou shalt have whatever heart can wish.
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