But the people and the warriors shouted:

"Listen to the star; do we not give or deny battle according as
the bird flies--shall we not by the same token choose him by
whom the battle should be led?"

And the thing seemed natural to them, for it was after the
custom of the tribe.

Then they took one of the doves that built in the roof of the
palace, and they bought it to the spot where Morven stood, and
he, looking up to the stars and muttering to himself, released
the bird.

There was a copse of trees a little distance from the spot, and
as the dove ascended, a hawk suddenly rose from the copse and
pursued the dove; and the dove was terrified, and soared
circling high above the crowd, when, lo, the hawk, poising
itself one moment on its wings, swooped with a sudden swoop,
and, abandoning its prey, alighted on the plumed head of Siror.

"Behold," cried Morven in a loud voice, "behold your king!"

"Hail, all hail the king!" shouted the people. "All hail the
chosen of the stars!"

Then Morven lifted his right hand, and the hawk left the prince,
and alighted on Morven's shoulder.

"Bird of the gods!" said he, reverently, "hast thou not a secret