THE DYING SW AN.
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~ HERDER.


"Must !, alone, of the whole feathered
troop, be mute and songless :" sighed the
silent swan to himself, as he was bathing
in the splendors Of most beautiful eve
ming sky. " 1t is true, do not envy the
voice Of the Cabling goose, nor the cleck-
ing hen, nor the screaming peacock; but
thou, o sweet Philomel! | envy thee,
when charmed through thy voice, move
slowly over the waves, and drink in heav-
ems reflected beauties. How would | sing
Of thee, golden evening sun! How would
| sing of thy glorious light, of my happi-
ness, and in the reflection of thy rosy coun-
tenance dive down and die.'


Silently enraptured, the swan disappear
ed beneath the waves and, when he arose
again, a shining form stood on the shore,
and beckoned to him. 1t was the god of
the evening and morning sun, the hand
some Phebus.


"Amiable, affectionate being" spoke he,
"thy prayer is granted; the prayer which
thou SO oft from the depths of thy heart
hast mutely offered, and which could not
until now be granted thee"


Hardly had he said these words, when
he touched the swan with his Tyre, and
impaired to him the notes of immortals.
Apollo's bird was thrilled with ecstacy-no
longer dumb, he poured forth his song in
the strains of the god of beauty; thank
fully joyful, he celebrated in poetry the
glorious sun, the gittering sea, and his
own pure, happy life. Soft as his counte-
nance was that harmonious song. Slowly
the waves waited him along TO sweet slum-
bering tones, until he found himself in
Elysigm, at the feet of Apollo, in his true
heavenly beauty. The song which was
denied him In life, was henceforth to be
the swans sweet song at death. Gently
ne put off his mortal form, for he had heard
the notes of immortals, and seen the face
of the god. As he bowed humbly and
gratefully at Apollo's feet, his faithful wife,
who, in sweet song, had mourned herself
to death after him, came to join him. The
goddess of Innocence adopted them both
as her favorites-the beautiful pair draw
her chariot of shells when she goes to
bathe in the sea of youth.


Have patience, mute, hoping heart
What is denied thee in life, when thou
hndest It hard to endure, give glance to-
wards death.--Morris' Nat Press.