swan song

inspired by "The singing swan" (1655) by Reinier van Persijn.

 

VI. Animate Nature

The Dying Swan

Alfred, Lord Tennyson (1809–1892)

Hidden in sorrow: at first to the ear

The warble was low, and full and clear;

And floating about the under-sky,

Prevailing in weakness, the coronach stole

Sometimes afar, and sometimes anear;

But anon her awful jubilant voice,

With a music strange and manifold,

Flowed forth on a carol free and bold;

Done