"Behold, last night, I sat alone in the valley, and the trees
were hushed around, and not a breath stirred; and I looked upon
the star that councels the son of Osslah; and I said:

"'Dread conqueror of the cloud! thou that bathest thy beauty in
the streams and piercest the pine-boughs with thy presence;
behold thy servant grieved because the mighty one hath passed
away, and many foes surround the houses of my brethren; and it
is well that they should have a king valiant and prosperous in
war, the cherished of the stars.

"'Wherefore, O star! as thou gavest into our hands the warriors
of Alrich, and didst warn us of the fall of the oak of our
tribe, wherefore, I pray thee, give unto the people a token that
they may choose that king whom the gods of the night prefer!'

"Then a low voice sweeter than the music of the bard, stole
along the silence.

"'Thy love for thy race is grateful to the stars of night: go
then, son of Osslah, and seek the meeting of the chiefs and the
people to choose a king, and tell them not to scorn thee because
thou art slow to the chase and little known in war; for the
stars give thee wisdom as a recompense for all.

"'Say unto the people that as the wise men of the council shape
their lessons by the flight of birds, so by the flight of birds
stall a token be given unto them, and they shall choose their
kings.