The water stood in my eyes to hear this avowal of his dependence; just as if a royal eagle, chained to a perch, should be forced to entreat a sparrow to become its purveyor.
Les larmes me vinrent aux yeux en entendant cet aveu de son impuissance: on eût dit un aigle royal enchaîné et qui se voit forcé de demander à un moineau de lui apporter sa nourriture.