THE SWAN. 303 



without the possibility of getting quite within shooting 

 distance. 



The skins of Swans still covered by the down, which is 

 very thick, are often used in our country for bonnets arid 

 tippets, and at Hudson's Bay, a great trade formerly ex- 

 isted with the down and quills. The Indians also employ 

 the skins for dresses for their women of rank, and the 

 feathers for ornaments for the head. 



THE DEATH SONG OF THE SWAN. 



BY CHARLES WEST THOMSON. 



Farewell, ye summer streams where I have sported 



Full oft by mossy rock and flowery dell, 

 1 lave no more where once my flock resorted 



Ye summer streams farewell ! 



No more upon your verdant banks reclining, 



I see your breast reflect the clear blue skies, 

 Ye quiet waters in the sun-beams shining, 



Your humble votary dies 



Yet 'mid your lovely scenes where fairies wander, 



In many a gay and sportive moonlight throng, 

 I pause on life's dim verge awhile to ponder 

 Accept my latest song. 



Accept the lay the soft melodious numbers, 



Vouchsafed by Nature to my parting breath, 

 The gentle prelude to unbroken slumbers 



The symphony of death. 



I go, no more to breathe among the mountains 



The ambrosial fragrance, which the wild flowers fling, 

 I go, no more beneath the woodland fountains 

 To wet my snowy wing. 



Yet tho' no more I rest in shady bowers 



Where my youth's day-spring saw the waters shine, 

 When death has come, beneath the summer flowers, 

 O quiet sleep is mine. 



The wild wave from the rock shall still be springing, 



The mountain mists shall hover o'er the dell, 

 But I amidst them no more shall be winging 



Mv native streams fp^eweH. 1 



