It happen'd, as beyond the reach of wit Blind prophecies may have a lucky hit, That this accomplish'd, or at least in part, Gave great repute to their new Merlin's art. Some Swifts, the giants of the Swallow kind, Large-limb'd, stout-hearted, but of stupid mind (For Swisses, or for Gibeonites design'd), These lubbers, peeping through a broken pane, 550 To suck fresh air, survey'd the neighbouring plain; And saw (but scarcely could believe their eyes) New blossoms flourish, and new flowers arise; As God had been abroad, and, walking there, Had left his footsteps, and reform'd the year: The sunny hills from far were seen to glow With glittering beams, and in the meads below The burnish'd brooks appear'd with liquid gold to flow. At last they heard the foolish Cuckoo sing, Whose note proclaim'd the holiday of spring. 560 No longer doubting, all prepare to fly, And repossess their patrimonial sky. The priest before them did his wings display; And that good omens might attend their way, As luck would have it, 'twas St Martin's day. Who but the Swallow triumphs now alone? The canopy of heaven is all her own: Her youthful offspring to their haunts repair, And glide along in glades, and skim in air, And dip for insects in the purling springs, 570 And stoop on rivers to refresh their wings. Their mothers think a fair provision made, That every son can live upon his trade: And, now the careful charge is off their hands, Look out for husbands, and new nuptial bands: The youthful widow longs to be supplied; But first the lover is by lawyers tied To settle jointure-chimneys on the bride. So thick they couple, in so short a space, That Martin's marriage-offerings rise apace. Their ancient houses running to decay, Are furbish'd up, and cemented with clay; 580 They teem already; store of eggs are laid, And brooding mothers call Lucina's aid. Fame spreads the news, and foreign fowls appear In flocks to greet the new returning year, To bless the founder, and partake the cheer. And now 'twas time (so fast their numbers rise) To plant abroad, and people colonies. The youth drawn forth, as Martin had desired 590 (For so their cruel destiny required), Were sent far off on an ill-fated day; The rest would needs conduct them on their way, And Martin went, because he fear'd alone to stay.