"This London Legend--if it may be so called--has been suggested by an interesting Indian tradition, given to the world in the form of a beautiful poem. The picturesque scenery, vivid description, and glowing imagery to be found in that production, are fully felt; while their charm is no more disparaged by the present sportive trifle, than the sublimity of Shakespeare has been lessened by the burlesques and parodies that have been made from time to time upon his great dramas. The tragedy of _Hamlet_ is exalted, not lowered, by Mr. Poole's admirably clever travestie. The mere fact of burlesquing a work avouches its excellence--certainly its popularity." It is much to be regretted that the author of this amusing work should remain unknown. * * * * * Mr. H. Cholmondeley-Pennell's _Puck on Pegasus_ (Chatto and Windus) has gone through so many editions, and is such a favourite book, that his imitation of _Hiawatha_ is familiar to most people. The author has recently somewhat modified its opening lines. As thus altered it will shortly appear in a selection of Mr. H. C. Pennell's poems, and he has kindly allowed me to include it in this collection. The original poem in _Puck on Pegasus_ commenced thus:-- SONG OF IN-THE-WATER. When 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 wave sprang upward, Upward from his reedy hollow, With the lily in his bosom, With his crown of water-lilies-- Curling ev'ry dimpled ripple As he sprung into the starlight, As he clasped her charmed reflection Glowing to his crystal bosom-- As he whispered, "Fairest, fairest, Rest upon this crystal bosom!" * * * * * In the new version the title has been changed, and some of the opening lines altered, but from the point where the above extract closes to the end of the poem, the two versions are very similar, and the later one is quoted in full:-- SONG OF LOWER-WATER.