They prayed sometimes, and that was all their task. It happened, as beyond the reach of wit Blind prophecies may have a lucky hit, That this accomplished, or at least in part, Gave great repute to their new Merlin's art. Some Swifts,[211] the giants of the Swallow kind,} Large limbed, stout-hearted, but of stupid mind, } (For Swisses, or for Gibeonites designed, } These lubbers, peeping through a broken pane, To suck fresh air, surveyed 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 reformed the year. The sunny hills from far were seen to glow } With glittering beams, and in the meads below } The burnished brooks appeared with liquid gold to flow.} At last they heard the foolish Cuckow sing, Whose note proclaimed the holiday of spring. 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 now triumphs 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, 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-chimnies 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 furbished up, and cemented with clay: 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, (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 feared alone to stay. So long they flew with inconsiderate haste, That now their afternoon began to waste; And, what was ominous, that very morn The sun was entered into Capricorn; Which, by their bad astronomer's account, That week the Virgin balance should remount. An infant moon eclipsed him in his way, And hid the small remainders of his day.