- S20 -

THE WILD SWANS AT COOLE The trees are in their autumn beauty The woodland paths are dry Under the October twilight the water Mirrors a still sky Upon the brimming water among the stones Are nineandfifty swans. The nineteenth autumn has come upon me Since I first made my count I saw before I had well finished All suddenly mount And scatter wheeling in great broken rings Upon their clamorous wings. I have looked upon those brilliant creatures And now my heart is sore. Alls changed since I hearing at twilight The first time on this shore The bellbeat of their wings above my head Trod with a lighter tread.