_The Singing of Swans._--"It would," says Bishop Percy (Mallet's _North.
Antiq._, ii. p. 72.), "be a curious subject of disquisition, to inquire
what could have given rise to so arbitrary and groundless a notion as the
singing of swans," {476} which "hath not wanted assertors from almost every
nation." (Sir T. Browne.)
"Not in more swelling whiteness sails
Cayster's swan to western gales, [3]
When the melodious murmur sings
'Mid her slow-heav'd voluptuous wings."