University of Virginia Library

Search this document 
Sonnets, Lyrics and Translations

By the Rev. Charles Turner [i.e. Charles Tennyson]
 

collapse section
collapse section
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
expand section
expand section
 
 
 
 
expand section
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
expand section
 
 
 
 
THE SWAN AND THE PEACOCK.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
expand section
 
 
expand section
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


48

THE SWAN AND THE PEACOCK.

Proud of his hundred eyes of glossy grain,
That watch'd in Argus once, but now are set
Firm in the streamers of his ample train,
The Peacock walks beside his lowlier mate;
Or stands apart, unfolding all his state!
While, on the surface of yon glassy lake,
A snow-white swan, with sinuous neck elate,
Ruffles his shifting plumes for beauty's sake;
One seems like some fair barge, the choice design
Of spotless fancies, for a maiden's joy,
To fare on summer-waters, when they shine;
While the other, swimming in his majesty,
Though on firm ground, that eastern bark might be,
On Cydnus rigg'd to meet Mark Antony.