`` Let us make haste , '' cried the others , `` or we shall be too late for the good cheer ! '' But scarcely had they made half a dozen steps from the edge of the cliff , when a bird came fluttering to meet them . It was the same pretty little bird , with the purple wings and body , the yellow legs , the golden collar round its neck , and the crown-like tuft upon its head , whose behavior had so much surprised Ulysses . It hovered about Eurylochus , and almost brushed his face with its wings . `` Peep , peep , pe -- weep ! '' chirped the bird . So plaintively intelligent was the sound , that it seemed as if the little creature were going to break its heart with some mighty secret that it had to tell , and only this one poor note to tell it with . `` My pretty bird , '' said Eurylochus -- for he was a wary person , and let no token of harm escape his notice -- `` my pretty bird , who sent you hither ? And what is the message which you bring ? '' `` Peep , peep , pe -- weep ! '' replied the bird , very sorrowfully . Then it flew towards the edge of the cliff , and looked around at them , as if exceedingly anxious that they should return whence they came . Eurylochus and a few of the others were inclined to turn back . They could not help suspecting that the purple bird must be aware of something mischievous that would befall them at the palace , and the knowledge of which affected its airy spirit with a human sympathy and sorrow . But the rest of the voyagers , snuffing up the smoke from the palace kitchen , ridiculed the idea of returning to the vessel . One of them -LRB- more brutal than his fellows , and the most notorious gormandizer in the crew -RRB- said such a cruel and wicked thing , that I wonder the mere thought did not turn him into a wild beast , in shape , as he already was in his nature . `` This troublesome and impertinent little fowl , '' said he , `` would make a delicate titbit to begin dinner with . Just one plump morsel , melting away between the teeth . If he comes within my reach , I 'll catch him , and give him to the palace cook to be roasted on a skewer . '' The words were hardly out of his mouth , before the purple bird flew away , crying , `` Peep , peep , pe -- weep , '' more dolorously than ever .
`` That bird , '' remarked Eurylochus , `` knows more XXXXX we do about what awaits us at the palace . ''
about at between for in of than that with within