A First Series of Hymns and Songs/Descriptive Songs/The Swallow's Flight
52. The Swallow's Flight.
Swallow, that on rapid wing
Sweep'st along in sportive ring,
Here and there, and low and high,
Chasing keen the painted fly;
Swallow, let me fly with thee.
First from England's southern shore
'Cross the Channel we would soar;
Then with daring flight advance
To the plains of uprightly France:—
Swallow, let me fly with thee.
Where on verdant banks of Loire
Playful sport the feather'd choir,
Or where Bourdeaux skirts the side
Of Garonne's majestic tide,
I would skim away with thee.
Next o'er tow'ring Pyrenees,
Myrtb groves and orange-trees,
To the hilly wild domain,
Where are fed the flocks of Spain,
I would skim away with thee.
Then where figs and olives grow,
Mules plod surely on and slow;
Steering thus for many a day,
Southward still our course away,
Swallow, I would fly with thee.
Past Gibraltar's rocky steep,
Dashing o'er the foaming deep;
Then our roving journey o'er,
On the sultry Afric's shore,
Swallow, I would rest with thee.
But when spring's soft gales shall play
Once more o'er our trackless way,
Round and round, in sportive ring,
Joyously on home-bound wing,
Swallow, I would fly with thee.