The Birds of Shakespeare 
poor and old motion, the expedition of thought? 
I have speeded hither with the very extremest inch 
of possibility.? 
The arrival of the swallow with spring 
is charmingly brought before us in this 
little picture of vernal flowers : 
Daffodils, 
That come before the swallow dares, and take 
The winds of March with beauty ; violets dim, 
But sweeter than the lids of Juno’s eyes 
Or Cytherea’s breath ; pale primroses, 
That die unmarried, ere they can behold 
Bright Phoebus in his strength, a malady 
Most incident to maids; bold oxlips and 
The crown imperial ; lilies of all kinds.? 
The regular disappearance of the bird 
on the approach of autumn is taken as a 
symbol of human constancy. Timon of 
Athens is assured by his associates :— 
“The swallow follows not summer more 
willing than we your lordship.”* 
For the HOUSE-MARTIN Of MARTLET 
Shakespeare seems to have had a special 
12 Henry IV. ww. iii. 31. —? Winter's Tale, w. i. 118. 
3 Timon of Athens, Wi, Vi. 29. 
04 
