The Swallow 
The swatiow is cited in the Plays for 
the swiftness of its flight, and for its annual 
migration! When Richmond gives the 
order to march for Bosworth Field, he 
adds, 
True hope is swift, and flies with swallow’s wings ; 
Kings it makes gods, and meaner creatures kings.? 
The rapidity with which this bird can 
pursue its course, even close to the ground, 
had not escaped the poet’s notice. ‘Titus, 
in praise of his stud, affirms 
I have horse will follow where the game 
Makes way, and run like swallows o’er the plain.® 
When Falstaff was rebuked for his dilatory 
journey to the field of battle, he justified 
himself thus : 
I never knew yet but rebuke and check was 
the reward of valour. Do you think me a 
swallow, an arrow, or a bullet? Have I, in my 
1 Chaucer regarded this bird from another point of view :— 
The swalow, mordrer of the flyés smale 
That maken hony of floures fresshe of hewe. 
Parlement, 353. 
* Richard III. v. u. 23. 3 Titus Andronicus, U1. 11. 23. 
103 
