26 APRIL 1924, Page 17

"SWANS SING BEFORE THEY DIE."

[To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.] Sra,—A few years ago I came across a Latin elegiac version of Coleridge's epigram :- "Swans sing before they die ; 'twere no bad thing Should certain persons die before they sing."

The Latin version, which I thought very neat, ran something hike this :- "Ante cant cygnus, quam fata extrema vocarint : 0 si fata [Chloen ?], quam canat, ante vocent 1"

I cannot remember where I saw it. Can any of your readers give me its exact form, and the name of the translator ?- I am, Sir, &c., F. C. FINCH. 67 Sneinton Road, Nottingham.