. The swallow book; the story of the swallow told in legends, fables, folk songs, proverbs, omens and riddles of many lands . roofs were made ofthatched straw, andnot as now, of fireproof materials. As we have learned in the tales justtold, the appearance of a swallow uponland foretold disaster. Upon the sea,on the other hand, the sight of her wastaken as a good omen. Alexander theGreat once owed his life to a swallow. 86 THE SWALLOW ^ ^ ii. if we may credit the following popularstory: — While besieging the city of Halicarnassus,one day Alexander was so worn out that he IN LEGEND AND HISTORY 8
. The swallow book; the story of the swallow told in legends, fables, folk songs, proverbs, omens and riddles of many lands . roofs were made ofthatched straw, andnot as now, of fireproof materials. As we have learned in the tales justtold, the appearance of a swallow uponland foretold disaster. Upon the sea,on the other hand, the sight of her wastaken as a good omen. Alexander theGreat once owed his life to a swallow. 86 THE SWALLOW ^ ^ ii. if we may credit the following popularstory: — While besieging the city of Halicarnassus,one day Alexander was so worn out that he IN LEGEND AND HISTORY 87 slept until midday. While he was asleepa swallow lit upon his head and gave aloud cry, then flew round and round overthe bed, all the time keeping up a verystrange noise. Alexander was so exhaustedby fatigue that it was some time before heawoke, but finally aroused by the noise, hestruck the swallow with his hand. The birdinstead of flying away insisted upon lightingupon his head, nor would she leave until theking was fully awakened. Alexander then
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1900, bookdecade1910, booksubjectbirds, bookyear1912
