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Allan Gardens
Here is the pond at the back of the greenhouse. The statue here depicts the story of Leda and the swan. The plaque place nearby reads, "At the edge of the pond you will see a fine example of decorative lead statuary from England. It depicts the story from Greek mythology of Leda and the Swan. Leda was the Queen of Sparta. Noted for her great beauty, she liked to bathe in the river Eurotas, where Zeus, King of the Gods first saw her. To be close to her, Zeus metamorphosed into a white swan and made a fierce eagle pretend to be pursuing him. Taking pity on the swan, Leda took him under her arms to protect him, not knowing that the great white bird was the mightiest of the gods. Zeus proceeded to seduce her and following their union, Leda brought forth two eggs. One of the eggs produced Helen (the future Helen of Troy) and Pollux. From the other, came Castor and Clytemnestra, the children of her husband Tyndareus. The story of Leda and the swan fixed the amorous connation of swan symbolism for centuries to follow."
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