They were eternally bickering. The one was a wit, the
other a philosopher. The parrot quoted poetry, was critical on new
readings and eloquent on small points of erudition; the owl treated
all such knowledge as trifling, and relished nothing but
metaphysics. Then the parrot would sing songs and repeat bon mots
and crack jokes upon his solemn neighbor, and laugh outrageously at
his own wit; all which proceedings the owl considered as a grievous
invasion of his dignity, and would scowl and sulk and swell, and be
silent for a whole day together.
The prince heeded not the wranglings of his companions, being
wrapped up in the dreams of his own fancy and the contemplation of the
portrait of the beautiful princess. In this way they journeyed through
the stern passes of the Sierra Morena, across the sunburnt plains of
La Mancha and Castile, and along the banks of the "Golden Tagus,"
which winds its wizard mazes over one half of Spain and Portugal. At
length they came in sight of a strong city with walls and towers built
on a rocky promontory, round the foot of which the Tagus circled
with brawling violence.
"Behold," exclaimed the owl, "the ancient and renowned city of
Toledo; a city famous for its antiquities. Behold those venerable
domes and towers, hoary with time and clothed with legendary grandeur,
in which so many of my ancestors have meditated."
"Pish!" cried the parrot, interrupting his solemn antiquarian
rapture, "what have we to do with antiquities, and legends, and your
ancestry? Behold what is more to the purpose- behold the abode of
youth and beauty- behold at length, O prince, the abode of your
long-sought princess.
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