Obs. Pa. t. 3 swang, 4 swange, swong. [OE. swingan, corresp. in form and meaning to SWING sb.1, and so ultimately identical with SWING v.1] intr. To labor, toil; = SWINK v. 1.
c. 1000. Ælfric, Exod. xviii. 14. Hwæt dest þu on þis folce? hwi swingst þu ana?
c. 1000. Ags. Ps. (Spelman) cxxvi[i]. Buton drihten timbriende hus on ydel swingað ða ðe timbriað hi.
c. 1275. Lay., 7488. He swang [c. 1205 swonc] in þan fihte, þat he leþerede a swote.
13[?]. E. E. Allit. P., A, 586. Þat swange & swat for long ȝore.
13[?]. Guy Warw. (A.), 3589. Herhaud þat day so sore swong, Þat þurch his mouþe þe fom it sprong.
c. 1480. Henryson, Mor. Fab., Wolf & Lamb, xx. His seruand nor his self may not be spaird To swing and sweit, withouttin Meit or wage.