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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


MADRIGAL by ORLANDO GIBBONS

First Line: THE SILVER SWAN, WHO LIVING HAD NO NOTE
Last Line: MORE GEESE THAN SWANS NOW LIVE, MORE FOOLS THAN WISE.
Subject(s): BIRDS; SWANS;

The silver swan, who living had no note,
When death approached unlocked her silent throat;
Leaning her breast against the reedy shore,
Thus sung her first and last, and sung no more:
Farewell, all joys; O death, come close mine eyes;
More geese than swans now live, more fools than wise.




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