[kjv] Ephraim feedeth on wind, and followeth after the east wind: he daily increaseth lies and desolation; and they do make a covenant with the Assyrians, and oil is carried into Egypt.
The more intense contrastlies in the following 2 lines that thepairsof swallows perching hereave made more noticeable to serve as a foil to her lonelinessand desolation;