"
"I have that already," said the owl: "a few mice are sufficient
for my frugal table, and this hole in the wall is spacious enough
for my studies; and what more does a philosopher like myself desire?"
"Bethink thee, most wise owl, that while moping in thy cell and
gazing at the moon, all thy talents are lost to the world. I shall one
day be a sovereign prince, and may advance thee to some post of
honor and dignity."
The owl, though a philosopher and above the ordinary wants of
life, was not above ambition; so he was finally prevailed on to
elope with the prince, and be his guide and mentor in his pilgrimage.
The plans of a lover are promptly executed. The prince collected all
his jewels, and concealed them about his person as travelling funds.
That very night he lowered himself by his scarf from a balcony of
the tower, clambered over the outer walls of the Generalife, and,
guided by the owl, made good his escape before morning to the
mountains.
He now held a council with his mentor as to his future course.
"Might I advise," said the owl, "I would recommend you to repair
to Seville. You must know that many years since I was on a visit to an
uncle, an owl of great dignity and power, who lived in a ruined wing
of the Alcazar of that place. In my hoverings at night over the city I
frequently remarked a light burning in a lonely tower. At length I
alighted on the battlements, and found it to proceed from the lamp
of an Arabian magician: he was surrounded by his magic books, and on
his shoulder was perched his familiar, an ancient raven who had come
with him from Egypt.
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