THE SWAN. 



On the water of large estates in this country, swans 

 are kept for the sake of ornament. Wordsworth has 

 thus described the form and movements of this bird, 

 which is so attractive to the eye wherever it is beheld : — 



Fair is the swan, whose majesty prevailing 



O'er breezeless water, on Lacarno's lake, 

 Bears him on, while proudly sailing 



He leaves behind a moon -illumined wake: 

 Behold! the mantling spirit of reserve 

 Fashions his neck into a goodly curve ; 



An arch thrown back between luxuriant wings 

 Of whitest garniture, like fir-tree boughs. 



To which, on some unrutfled morning, clings 

 A flaky weight of winter's purest snows ! 



Behold ! as with a gashing impulse, heaves 



That downy prow, and softly cleaves 



The mirror of the crystal flood. 



Vanish inverted hill, and shadowy wood. 



And pendant rocks, where'er, in gliding state. 



Winds the mute creature without visible mate 



Or rival, save the Queen of the Night, 



Showering down a silver light 



From heaven, upon her chosen favourite. 



