HEN the summer night

descended

Sleepy on the White—

Witch water;

Came a lithe and lovely

maiden,

Gazing on the silent water—

Gazing on the gleaming river—

With her azure eyes and tender,—

On the river, glancing forward,

Till the laughing waves sprang upward,

Dancing in her smile of sunshine

Curling ev'ry dimpled ripple

As they sprang into the starlight;

As they clasp'd her charm'd reflection

Glowing to their silver bosoms—

As they whisper'd, "Fairest, fairest,

"Rest upon our crystal bosoms!"

And she straightway did according:—

Down into the water stept she,

Down into the shining river,

Like a red deer in the sunset—

Like a ripe leaf in the autumn:

From her lips like roses snow-fill'd,

Came a soft and dreamy murmur.

Softer than the breath of summer.

Softer than the murmring river!

Sighs that melted as the snows melt.

Silently and sweetly melted;

Words that mingled with the crisping

Foam upon the billow resting.

From the forest shade primeval,

Piggey-Wiggey look'd out at her;

He, the very Youthful Porker—

He, the Everlasting Granter—

Gazed upon her there, and wonder'd!

With his nose out, rokey-pokey—

And his tail up, curley-wurley—

Wonder'd what on earth the row meant.

Wonder'd what the girl was up to—

What the deuce her little game was?

And she floated down the river,

Like a water-proof Ophelia—

For her crinoline sustained her!!