Unless we take Firdausi's tale for truth,

Who ever heard the like?"

"The like might hap

By natural law: I let my staff fall thus—

It goes to ground, I know not why. Suppose,

Whene'er my hold was loosed, it skyward sprang

As certainly, and all experience proved

That, just as staves when unsupported sink,

So, unconfined, they soar?"

"Let such be law—