Swan of Padua, Count Francesco Algarotti (1712-1764).
Swan of the Meander, Homer, a native of Asia Minor, where the Meander flows (fl. B.C. 950).
Swan of the Thames, John Taylor, “water-poet” (1580-1654).
Taylor, their better Charon, lends an oar,
Once Swan of Thames, tho’ now he sings no more.
Pope, The Duncaid, iii. 19 (1728).
Swane (1 syl.) or Swegen, surnamed “Fork-Beard,” king of the Danes, joined Alaff or Olaf [Tryggvesson] in an invasion: of England, was acknowledged king, and kept his court at Gainsbury. He commanded the monks of St. Edmund’s Bury, to furnish him a large sum of money, and as it was not forthcoming, went on horseback at the head of his host to destroy the minster, when he was stabbed to death by an unknown hand. The legend is that the murdered St. Edmund rose from his grave and smote him.
The Danes landed here again ...
With those disordered troops by Alaff hither led,
In seconding their Swane ... but an English yet there was ...