Many ages had now passed away since the Phoenix1 had been seen in the world. At last he again appeared. Immediately al the different kinds of animals, both birds and beasts, flocked around him.
Astonished at his beauty, they stared and admired, and broke out into great praise. But in a short time, the wisest and most prudent2(谨慎的) amongst them began to look upon him with an eye of compassion3, and they sighed,"O unhappy phoenix! Fate has been hard to him. He has neither mate nor friend. He will never know the pleasure of loving, or of being loved."