I read it in the story-book, that, for to kiss his dear,
Leander swam the Hellespont,—and I will swim this here.”
And he has leaped into the waves, and crossed the shining stream,
And he has clambered up the bank, all in the moonlight gleam;
Oh! there were kisses sweet as dew, and words as soft as rain,—
But they have heard her father’s step, and in he leaps again!
Out spoke the ancient Fisherman,—“Oh! what as that, my daughter?”
“’T was nothing but a pebble, sir, I threw into the water.”
“And what is that, pray tell me, love, that paddles off so fast?”