322 
A DESCRIPTION OF 
receding, or in their approach to the island, they seem 
like one vast swarm of bees." 
THE SWAN. (Cygnusferus and olor.) 
Fair is the Swan, whose majesty prevailing 
O'er breezeless water, on Locarno'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 goodly curve 
An arch thrown back between luxuriant wings 
Of whitest garniture, like fir-tree boughs, 
To which, on some unruffled morning, clings 
A flaky weight of winter's purest snows ! 
Behold ! as with a gushing impulse heaves 
That downy prow, and softly cleaves 
The mirror of the crystal flood, 
Vanish inverted hill, and shadowy woo d, 
