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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


AT THE COMING OF THE WILD SWANS by WILLIAM SHARP

First Line: BY LOCH AND DARKENING RIVER
Last Line: HONK! HONK!
Subject(s): BIRDS; MIGRATION; SWANS;

By loch and darkening river,
Above the salt sea-plains,
Across the misty mountains
Amid the blinding rains,
In fierce or silent weather
The wild swans southward fare,
The wild swans swing together
Through lonely fields of air,
Crying @3Honk, Honk, Honk,
Glugulû, ullalû, glugulû,
Honk! Honk!@1

The seamew's lonely laughter
Flits down the flowing wave,
The green scarts follow after
The surge where cross-tides rave:
The sea-duck's mellow wailing
Floats over sheltered places,
And southward, southward sailing
Go all the feathered races. . . .
When the swans cry @3Honk, Honk,
Glugulû, ullalû, glugulû,
Honk! Honk!@1

White spirits from the Northland,
Grey clan of Storm and Frost,
Wind-swooping to the Southland
From icy-seas blast-tost. . . .
Wild clan of sons and daughters,
A welcome, now you are come
When all your polar waters
Are frozen, white, and dumb! . . .
Crying @3Honk, Honk, Honk,
Glugulû, ullalû, glugulû,
Honk! Honk!@1



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