THE NIGHTINGALE AND THE SWALLOW

Far from men's fields the swallow forth had flown,

When she espied amid the woodlands lone

The nightingale, sweet songstress. Her lament

Was Itys to his doom untimely sent.

Each knew the other through the mournful strain,

Flew to embrace, and in sweet talk remain.

Then said the swallow, "Dearest, liv'st thou still?

Ne'er have I seen thee, since thy Thracian ill.

Some cruel fate hath ever come between;