FABLE AND FOLKLORE 269 



So unharmed and unafraid 



Sat the swallow still and brooded, 

 Till the constant cannonade 

 Through the walls a breach had made, 



And the siege was thus concluded. 



Then the army elsewhere bent 



Struck the tents as if disbanding, 

 Only not the Emperor's tent. 

 For he ordered as he went, 



Very curtly, "Leave it standing." 



So it stood there all alone, 



Loosely flapping, torn and tattered, 

 Till the brood was fledged and flown, 

 Swinging o'er those walks of stone 



Which the cannon-shot had shattered. 



