So it is that seamen love these birds and look for halcyon weather.

But there once lived in Babylonia two lovers named Pyramus and Thisbe,
who were parted by a strange mischance. For they lived in adjoining
houses; and although their parents had forbidden them to marry, these
two had found a means of talking together through a crevice in the
wall.

Here, again and again, Pyramus on his side of the wall and Thisbe on
hers, they would meet to tell each other all that had happened during
the day, and to complain of their cruel parents. At length they decided
that they would endure it no longer, but that they would leave their
homes and be married, come what might. They planned to meet, on a
certain evening, by a mulberry-tree near the tomb of King Ninus,
outside the city gates. Once safely met, they were resolved to brave
fortune together.

So far all went well. At the appointed time, Thisbe, heavily veiled,
managed to escape from home unnoticed, and after a stealthy journey
through the streets of Babylon, she came to the grove of mulberries
near the tomb of Ninus. The place was deserted, and once there she put
off the veil from her face to see if Pyramus waited anywhere among the
shadows. She heard the sound of a footfall and turned to behold--not
Pyramus, but a creature unwelcome to any tryst--none other than a
lioness crouching to drink from the pool hard by.

Without a cry, Thisbe fled, dropping her veil as she ran. She found a
hiding-place among the rocks at some distance, and there she waited,
not knowing what else to do.