"The Wild Swans at Coole" Quotes

The trees are in their autumn beauty, The woodland paths are dry, Under the October twilight the water Mirrors a still sky;

Among what rushes will they build, By what lake's edge or pool Delight men's eyes when I awake some day To find they have flown away?

And now my heart is sore. All's changed since I, hearing at twilight, The first time on this shore, The bell-beat of their wings above my head, Trod with a lighter tread.

Unwearied still, lover by lover, They paddle in the cold Companionable streams or climb the air;

Their hearts have not grown old; Passion or conquest, wander where they will, Attend upon them still.

With a still sky and a moonlit night, The shadows of the trees are deep;

Here the moonlit shadows fall Across the floor and up the wall;

A sudden blow: the great wings beating still Above the staggering girl, her thighs caressed By the dark webs, her nape caught in his bill, He holds her helpless breast upon his breast.

Are nine-and-fifty swans. I have looked upon those brilliant creatures, And now my heart is sore.

Weary still, lover by lover, They paddle in the cold Companionable streams or climb the air;