Swan Lake

Alone and still, too still, she stands,
Too slender, neck too long and white
To seem quite human, feathered hands
Upflung, within a cone of light

And silence, as the spell is laid.
A fearful magic’s fell embrace
Now mutes and binds both man and maid,
A prince and swan. Her frozen face

Sees but her master crouched before her.
Pain can never rouse his ruth,
Nor can her pinioned prince restore her.
But they’ll learn at last this truth:

That lovers may defy death’s sting,
Ascend to heaven, wing to wing.